Get Licensed To Create Wedding Cakes: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're thinking of starting a wedding cake business, there are a few things you'll need to do to get licensed. Firstly, you'll need to contact your local council's Health Department to find out the specific requirements for your area. In most places, you'll need a food handler's certificate, which you can get by studying sanitation guidelines, paying a fee, and passing a test. You'll also need a business license, which you can get from your local Small Business Administration. Depending on where you live, you may need a commercial kitchen license, which can be costly to set up, so it might be worth looking into using a community kitchen instead.

Register your business with your Local Authority

Registering your business with your Local Authority is a crucial step in starting a wedding cake business. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to keep in mind:

• Registration is mandatory if you sell, cook, store, handle, prepare, or distribute food as part of your business. This includes businesses operating from physical premises, mobile units, temporary premises, or online.
• You must register with your local authority at least 28 days before starting your food business. This applies even if you are running your business from home.
• Contact your local council to register. They will inform you if you need to register or apply for approval, as some councils have different rules. There is typically no charge for registration.
• If you operate in multiple locations, you need to register each site with its respective local authority.
• After registering, local authority officers will arrange a visit to your premises to conduct a food hygiene inspection. They will assess your food preparation areas and safety procedures to ensure they are suitable for running a food business.
• As a food business, you must dispose of waste securely and properly. This includes putting food waste in bins rather than down the sink and using sink strainers to prevent fat, oil, grease, and food waste from entering the sewer system.
• You must also comply with food safety and hygiene regulations, including providing allergen information and following labelling rules.
• If you are a childminder providing food as part of your business, you may have different registration requirements depending on your location. For example, in England, the details you provide to Ofsted or your childminder agency will also register you as a food business.

Get a Food Service License

To get a food service license, you will need to apply through your local Council Health Department, also known as the Environmental Health Department. The requirements and types of food licenses available differ depending on your location, so it is important to check with your local council.

In Australia, for example, there are three types of food licenses: Domestic, Commercial, and the 52-Day License. The Domestic Food License allows you to bake from your household kitchen with minor requirements, such as temperature gauges for fridges, no pets inside, double sinks, and paper towel racks. This option is cost-effective at around $400 per year. The Commercial Food License, on the other hand, requires a separate commercial kitchen premises with stainless steel benches, double sinks, coved flooring, and other fit-outs, which can be an expensive undertaking. The license costs approximately $800 per year. The 52-Day License is a rare option that allows you to bake one day per week for a year, usually for selling cakes at a market.

If you are based in the UK and are only providing food for community and charity events, you may not need to register with your local authority. However, you are still required to ensure that the food you provide is safe to eat and complies with food law. It is recommended that you follow food safety and hygiene best practices, such as the 4Cs of food hygiene: avoiding cross-contamination, preparing food in advance, washing hands regularly, washing fresh fruit and vegetables, and keeping raw and ready-to-eat foods separate.

Get a Food Handler's Certificate

To make wedding cakes, you'll need to obtain a food license, and to do that, you'll need a Food Handler's Certificate. Here's what you need to know about getting your Food Handler's Certificate:

Firstly, the requirements for food handling certificates may vary depending on your location. For example, in Los Angeles, you'll need to take an online food handlers test and obtain the certificate before working with food. A few counties in California have separate requirements, so if you move, you may need to take another course or exam. However, in the UK, a food hygiene certificate is not mandatory to make and sell food for charity events, but you must ensure that you handle food safely by following the 4Cs of food hygiene.

If you're looking to obtain your food handler's certificate, there are a few options available to you. One popular option is ServSafe, which is accepted in many restaurants and offers an online food safety course and exam. The certificate is valid for three years and costs around $15. Another option is State Food Safety, which offers a similar curriculum and is a little cheaper.

To prepare for your food handler's exam, you'll need to study food safety practices and hygiene guidelines. This includes proper handwashing techniques, avoiding cross-contamination, and ensuring food is cooked thoroughly. Additionally, you should be aware of how to handle specific types of food, such as foods containing raw egg, which require extra care.

Once you've obtained your food handler's certificate, you'll be one step closer to getting your food license and starting your wedding cake business. Remember to check with your local authorities to understand the specific requirements and regulations for your area. Good luck!

Get a Business License

To get a business license for making wedding cakes, you will need to contact your local Small Business Administration to obtain the appropriate paperwork for your home bakery. You will not be able to start selling your cakes until you are registered with a business license.

The specific requirements for licensing your home kitchen as a commercial kitchen depend on your state's health department. Generally, commercial kitchens in homes must be separate from personal-use kitchens and sealed off from the rest of the home. You may also need to take special precautions with plumbing and sanitation.

In most states, you will also be required to obtain a food handler's certificate. This involves studying sanitation guidelines, paying a fee, and taking a test. Your local health department will be able to provide you with more information on how to obtain this certificate.

If you are in Australia, there are three types of food licenses: Domestic Food License, Commercial Food License, and the 52-Day License. The Domestic Food License allows you to bake from your household kitchen with minor requirements such as temperature gauges for fridges, no animals inside, double sinks, and separate fridges and pantries. The Commercial Food License requires a separate commercial kitchen with stainless steel benches, double sinks, coved flooring, and splashbacks. The 52-Day License is for selling cakes at one market and allows you to bake one day per week for a year.

Get Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance is an important part of running a cake business. It can protect you if your business or products cause an injury or damage to a person or their property. For example, if a client comes to collect their cake and slips on a wet floor, breaking their arm, public liability insurance could cover a claim against you for their injury.

Public liability insurance for cake makers can also cover you against accidents in the kitchen or elsewhere. For example, if you accidentally break the door of the oven in the commercial kitchen you rent, public liability insurance can help with the expenses associated with the claim.

In the UK, public liability insurance for cake makers is available from £4.74 per month. In the US, an insurance policy for cake manufacturers starts at $25.92 per month or $299 per year.

Frequently asked questions