Cash from Baking??

hayley11

karenccs67 wrote: »

Hayley, I freeze my cakes but wrap it in clingfilm not foil, several layers. It only needs a few hours to defrost. It will taste fine and will be just as moist. Hope this helps. Karen x

Thanks Karen I've decided to decorate it anyway for the practice, my family will eat it so it won't get wasted.

Least I know they freeze good, thanks

beaglechops

Hi everyone,
Just an idea on marketing and that side of things - my friend has just recently set up this type of business and is targeting farmers markets etc but wants to break into weddings/ parties other events. I was looking for local and fresh cupcakes for my wedding reception and I dont always have time to go around those markets and often they are very busy and its hard to chat or to place an order. I really need to see pictures/ galleries of cakes and see reviews and contact details but my friend doesnt have the money or time to make a website. I made her a blog on a "well known blogging site" which was all pre made for her and she can update it with pictures/ news/ upcoming events as she goes and now has a website address to put on business cards etc. Its working really well for her! Hope that helps.

stephy110288

hi everyone. i have had this baking from home idea in my head for so long and always thought it was one of my little pipe dreams that will come to nothing. however last weekend i made a coffee cake for my mum and dads birthday (yep they share their birthday!!) and everyone said how i should think about selling them. I'm a full time student, or will be when i'm back in october, so i'd love to do the markets at the weekends and not have to work in the horrible restaurant i work in now. anyway the last few days i have set my mind to work and carried my notebook everywhere. i have found the perfect niche and i am so so so excited about it. i have emailed my local council's environmental health about what steps i need to take and i'm waiting for them to get back to me. i live in a penthouse apartment with two other people and the kitchen is huge but its a lounge kitchen type thing and no actual divide. there is a washing machine but it is integrated and never used as there are industrial washer dryers in the basement that we use. i will be doing my food hygeine and already know about labelling etc so hopefully my chances are good?? does anyone have any experience with liverpool city council?
another problem if i get going is my lack of transport. luckily i do have a driving license so all i'd need is a few hundred pound for something old to get me and my cakes to and from the market. but i really want to try without a car first as i got rid of mine because i dont really need it, so if this didnt take off i'd be left with a car i dont want! maybe i could pay my housemate to drive me to the markets at first? any ideas??
also, how much roughly do you think public liability insurance will be? and would i be able to pay it monthly?
another question i have and this may sound totally daft but what if my cakes had alcohol in them?? would i need a license?? sorry if its dumb but i want to cover every base!!!
today was meant to be my day of trying my recipes but i have come down with food poisoning due to the awful food they give me on my break at the restaurant
anyway i want to thank the people on this post because stumbelling upon this had made me realise that maybe it is possible?? thanks everyone, just fingers crossed for the environmental health person

esmer

stephy110288 wrote: »

hi everyone. i have had this baking from home idea in my head for so long and always thought it was one of my little pipe dreams that will come to nothing. however last weekend i made a coffee cake for my mum and dads birthday (yep they share their birthday!!) and everyone said how i should think about selling them. I'm a full time student, or will be when i'm back in october, so i'd love to do the markets at the weekends and not have to work in the horrible restaurant i work in now. anyway the last few days i have set my mind to work and carried my notebook everywhere. i have found the perfect niche and i am so so so excited about it. i have emailed my local council's environmental health about what steps i need to take and i'm waiting for them to get back to me. i live in a penthouse apartment with two other people and the kitchen is huge but its a lounge kitchen type thing and no actual divide. there is a washing machine but it is integrated and never used as there are industrial washer dryers in the basement that we use. i will be doing my food hygeine and already know about labelling etc so hopefully my chances are good?? does anyone have any experience with liverpool city council?
another problem if i get going is my lack of transport. luckily i do have a driving license so all i'd need is a few hundred pound for something old to get me and my cakes to and from the market. but i really want to try without a car first as i got rid of mine because i dont really need it, so if this didnt take off i'd be left with a car i dont want! maybe i could pay my housemate to drive me to the markets at first? any ideas??
also, how much roughly do you think public liability insurance will be? and would i be able to pay it monthly?
another question i have and this may sound totally daft but what if my cakes had alcohol in them?? would i need a license?? sorry if its dumb but i want to cover every base!!!
today was meant to be my day of trying my recipes but i have come down with food poisoning due to the awful food they give me on my break at the restaurant
anyway i want to thank the people on this post because stumbelling upon this had made me realise that maybe it is possible?? thanks everyone, just fingers crossed for the environmental health person

Sorry you got sick, nothing worse than food poisoning; you should report them!!

As for the alcohol, I wouldn't have thought so as the alcohol prob evaporates in the heat of the oven.

Good luck with it all. x

stephy110288

Thank you Heard from the council yesterday, he seemed pretty positive it would all be fine but he goes on hol for a week so when he gets back he will come round for the inspection. bit worried as we have a massive fish tank right near the entrance to the kitchen... hope they aren't bothered about that x

johanne

Stephy i'd be really interested in what he has to say as im in liverpool too!!

Im only considering selling novelty cakes on a small scale to friends and family etc as had loads of compliments on the ones i made for my daughters birthdays! But was worried about doing it all "properly" not "cash in hand" kinda thing! Im not sure i'd pass the EH inspection though as i dont have a seperate sink in my kitchen or downstairs and have very little space in my kitchen!

stephy110288

I'll definitely let you know how I go, just wish the guy wasn't on holiday so i could have it done sooner! after this i'm not sure what i do with regards to tax and officially startin as a business, i'm a bit clueless about that but guess i'll try and learn as i go!

Kelly-Lou

Hiya
Well after spending last night reading this thread I am debating if I should go ahead and set up my own cake business????????
I have a love for baking and often adapt recipes for my daughter who has allergies. This is my dilema, do I concentrate on "free from" cakes of do cupcakes???????
I am not sure if I should get the EHO in before I do anything, I wouldn't want to waste any money if I was to get turned down. I think the sink issue would course me a problem, I have a sink and a 1/2, no downstairs loo!? What other things do I need to do??? Washing machine not in use when baking, dog not in kitchen can't remember what else.
Sorry for all the questions but I would love to make a go of this

karenccs67

Kelly-Lou wrote: »

Hiya
Well after spending last night reading this thread I am debating if I should go ahead and set up my own cake business????????
I have a love for baking and often adapt recipes for my daughter who has allergies. This is my dilema, do I concentrate on "free from" cakes of do cupcakes???????
I am not sure if I should get the EHO in before I do anything, I wouldn't want to waste any money if I was to get turned down. I think the sink issue would course me a problem, I have a sink and a 1/2, no downstairs loo!? What other things do I need to do??? Washing machine not in use when baking, dog not in kitchen can't remember what else.
Sorry for all the questions but I would love to make a go of this

I have the same dilemas as you Kelly, I think for the time being Im just going to make cakes for family and friends. I start my level 2 Sugarcraft course in Sept so at least Im learning the skills, I would love to make intricate wedding cakes, who knows one day!

paulwf

stephy110288 wrote: »

I'll definitely let you know how I go, just wish the guy wasn't on holiday so i could have it done sooner! after this i'm not sure what i do with regards to tax and officially startin as a business, i'm a bit clueless about that but guess i'll try and learn as i go!

Please read the Business Link website, it is written in a really clear way so it is worth taking the time to read the relevant sections. After that give them a call and book on their free startup courses, they are in most areas and at a range of times to fit around work or childcare. They don't assume any prior knowledge so don't be put off by them.