Cash from Baking??

stardrops42

karenccs67 wrote: »

I agree, your cakes are fantastic and I too don't seem to get on very well with fondant, I start level 2 sugarcraft on Tuesday so finger crossed I will learn all that I want to know.

Thanks Karen, I'd love to go on a sugarcraft course but all the ones near me are full:(

nat21luv

does anyone have or know of a good recipe for white choc piped icing for cupcakes? they seem to in demand at the mo but i dont want to shell out a fortune on white choc if the recipe's crap!

karenccs67

stardrops42 wrote: »

Thanks Karen, I'd love to go on a sugarcraft course but all the ones near me are full:(

the courses are very popular here too and expensive! :eek:

karenccs67

nat21luv wrote: »

does anyone have or know of a good recipe for white choc piped icing for cupcakes? they seem to in demand at the mo but i dont want to shell out a fortune on white choc if the recipe's crap!

all i do is melt white chocolate and add it to the buttercream, not too much though, just enough to taste. i made it with strawberry chocolate in the summer and topped with fresh strawberries, they went down a storm. silverspoon do a nice white cooking chocolate, only about £1 for 300g i think!

Moominmamma

AronS wrote: »

Bad times today

Had my first batch of cupcakes that didn't turn out how they should have But also, I'm having difficult persuading the OH to allow me to welcome EHO to inspect our home. I'm confident our kitchen has the facilities to pass the inspection but OH is very cautious about a few things - mainly, that we will have to pay business rates on the kitchen on top of normal council tax and if there, heaven forbid, should be a fire in the kitchen our home insurance would be void as its a business premisis. So I'm not having much luck trying to fight this, but fight I will...

Just down today

Aaaah, cheer up AronS ~ have you had a proper look in to it all? I personally haven't (too slack, lol) but I'd assume you have to be earning above a certain amount before your house'd be considered as a businness premises. Not sure about the insurance issue though, I've taken the somewhat foolhardy option of not even contemplating that kind of eventuality!!

It's all a bit up and down isn't it? I was all excited this morning because a cafe said they wanted to order my cupcakes, came rapidly back down to earth when they said they only wanted a dozen, but hey, it's a start I guess

Ayway my advice would be to give up on the fight just for tonight and chill in front of The X Factor with a large glass of wine. And a cake of course ~ cupcakes make everything better

M x

nat21luv

arons-your no more likely to have a fire baking cakes as you are cooking dinner every night! yep, moomins right, business rates dont apply to us unless you earn...alot!

nat21luv

actually i can hardly talk-having a terrible day. think my OH is possibly cheating as i found some pictures on his phone of ladies in compromising positions that left NOTHING to the imagination, i know this isnt relevant to the thread but its affecting my baking!! i just dropped a whole batch of cookies on the floor oh well, least i can laugh about it!

mum-of-3

Moominmamma wrote: »

Aaaah, cheer up AronS ~ have you had a proper look in to it all? I personally haven't (too slack, lol) but I'd assume you have to be earning above a certain amount before your house'd be considered as a businness premises. Not sure about the insurance issue though, I've taken the somewhat foolhardy option of not even contemplating that kind of eventuality!!

It's all a bit up and down isn't it? I was all excited this morning because a cafe said they wanted to order my cupcakes, came rapidly back down to earth when they said they only wanted a dozen, but hey, it's a start I guess

Ayway my advice would be to give up on the fight just for tonight and chill in front of The X Factor with a large glass of wine. And a cake of course ~ cupcakes make everything better



M x

Make sure you have public liability insurance if you are supplying to a cafe

hayley11

AronS wrote: »

Bad times today

Had my first batch of cupcakes that didn't turn out how they should have But also, I'm having difficult persuading the OH to allow me to welcome EHO to inspect our home. I'm confident our kitchen has the facilities to pass the inspection but OH is very cautious about a few things - mainly, that we will have to pay business rates on the kitchen on top of normal council tax and if there, heaven forbid, should be a fire in the kitchen our home insurance would be void as its a business premisis. So I'm not having much luck trying to fight this, but fight I will...

Just down today

Unless you use your kitchen exclusively for your business, I doubt you would have to pay business rates from what i've read online. Also there is a small business rate relief scheme, you would possibly qualify for this if you have to pay rates.

It might be best to check with your council before having this as an obstacle. My EHO didn't mention anything about business rates when she came round.

Also why not get different insurance so that you are covered?

Don't let these things put you off, they are so very easily resolved. If my OH tried telling me I couldn't get the EHO round and get my business going i'd tell him where to go! It's no big deal at all.

I've made loads of rubbish cupcakes, it's all about experimenting and finding recipes that work. Don't worry

mum-of-3

INSURANCE

For the successful cake baking business, staying legal is vital. Complying with relevant insurance and licensing requirements is fundamental to playing by the rules. For many cake baking enthusiasts, however, details of the licensing and insurance needs of small businesses may be unfamiliar. This article outlines the basic requirements for small businesses making and working with food products.

What are the Insurance Requirements?
First things first, whilst it is not mandatory, it is advisable to insure your business premises. Most standard contracts will insure you against risks including floods, storms and lightening, fire, riot damage and damage called by vandalism. If you are a tenant, you should find out from your landlord which of you is responsible for insuring the premises.
Secondly, if your cake baking business employs anyone other than yourself, employers' liability (EL) insurance is compulsory and you must be insured for at least £5 million. Cover of this sort enables an employer to meet the damages and legal fees for any employee who falls ill or incurs an injury at work due to the employer's fault or negligence. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the body charged with enforcing the law on EL insurance, can fine employers up to £2,500 for each day the requisite insurance is not held.

Whilst small business owners are not legally obliged to have public liability (PL) insurance, it is advisable to take it out nonetheless, especially if your premises are visited by members of the public. This insurance covers the costs of any injury experienced by a member of the public or damage that occurs to their property at the fault of you or your business. Many small business owners avoid taking out public liability insurance as a result of the high cost of premiums. The legal fees and settlement costs that a claim might incur, however, could prove far greater than the initial premium costs and could easily bankrupt a small cake baking business.



As a cake baking enterprise, your business will have a material product to offer consumers and you will be responsible for any injury or damage that product may cause. As such, your business will need to hold some form of product liability insurance. Again, this will cover any legal fees or settlement costs that may result from a claim. Product liability insurance is usually purchased as part of a combined liability policy.

All these types of insurance can be purchased from a business insurance broker. Costs will vary from business to business but a variety of websites allow you to compare competitive quotes and purchase insurance online.

What are the Licensing Requirements?
As a food business, you will need to register your business and premises with your local authority. This applies to both temporary and permanent business locations, including home-catering, market stalls, vehicles and domestic premises, as well as cake shops and tea rooms. Bear in mind that new businesses must register at least 28 days before opening. If several parts of your business are run separately, you may require more than one registration. Be sure to check with your local council. The registration process is free. All you need to do is apply to your local authority for the relevant forms. Once your business is licensed, you will need to stick to all the terms of you licences and may be liable to inspection by your local authority.
Are There Any Additional Requirements?
If your business will be serving alcohol, under the Licensing Act 2003, you will need a separate licence to cover this. You will also need additional licenses if you plan to serve hot food between 11pm and 5pm, to sell food from a stall or van in the street or to provide entertainment such as live music. In addition, if you run your cake baking business from home but happen to have made any changes to your property in line with your business needs, such as extending a kitchen or building an office, you will need to pay business rates as well as council tax.
A Quick Checklist
Here is a checklist of all the licences you need to apply for, or should consider applying for, and all the forms of insurance you need to purchase.
Business premises insurance
Employers' liability insurance
Public liability insurance
Product insurance
Registration with your local council
Any additional licences
Remember to attain all relevant licences and insurance swiftly to establish your status as a professional cake baking business. This will also bring you the peace of mind you need to focus on the commercial success of your enterprise.