home cooking regulations

[dorisday]

I would like to make cakes and buscuits in my own kitchen for sale to the general public and maybe in time open a tea shop. I am sure there are basic rules and regulations that I would like to know about before I start. Can anyone head me in the right direction?

[Oneeyedvic]

Best bet is to ask for your local Enviromental Health Officer to pop round - start by getting a certificate in food hygeine. This is a very basic qualification which will teach you the main things. I know when I used to run a shop (10 years ago) we had a local chap who used to supply cooked food to us. The EHO visited and he had to implement a lot of things. It is vastly different for a commercial enviroment to a domestic one.

[dorisday]

Oneeyedvic, Thanks for you rquick response. How do I go about getting a certificate in food hygeine?? Sorry bit of a dumbo.!!

[Oneeyedvic]

Your local college would be my best guess. If not, just go to a local takeaway and ask them where they did theres. Enviromental health may run some of the courses to.

[dorisday]

Thanks for the advice, we are just hearing whispers round work, that MORE redundancies are on the cards. I think I could be running my tea shop sooner rather than later!!!! Thanks again

[BenDToy]

I hate to be a spoilsport, but it is highly unlikely that you would be allowed to do this withouit some modifications, unless your kitchen is a very different one to most domestic ones. For example you will need 2 sinks (1 for hands and 1 for food/dishes etc.) and all surfaces will need to be "sealed" like stainless steel not tiles. Don't let this put you off, you should still pursue your idea. I just thought you should be aware of the problems you are likely to face. Good luck.

[Oneeyedvic]

Although stainless steel is preferable, tiles are still acceptable, as are plastered walls painted. A double sink will only cost around �100.00. Yes, you would have to change bits and pieces, but not a great deal.