Food Business in Melbourne advice

trinkasharma on 23/04/2019 - 23:21
Last edited 01/05/2019 - 19:41

Hi,

I am thinking to cook and sell pre cooked lunches from home. I have read some websites and at this stage certain things are not clear to me.

I would need a Class 2 licence. I have confirmed this from the council.

I am in a rented home now. I have a double kitchen sink but no separate hand washing sink. I have two fridges and can get a freezer if needed. I have the standard hot + cold water faucet but no hot water tank only for the kitchen.

Kitchen tiles have some chips in them. I can apply some epoxy on them if it helps.

Basically I can buy equipment if needed but cannot install new items permanently.

Has anyone been able to start a similar business from home with these limitations?

TIA

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 23/04/2019 - 23:32
    +1

    You should look at what is called a "dark"kitchen - it is basically a kitchen that only sells via uber eats etc.

  • brokenglish on 23/04/2019 - 23:35
    -1

    From government website: http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodsafety/standards/Pages/H…
    I just read it and it seems pretty straightforward to me.
    Anything not compliant with the premises design must be approved by council.

    • trinkasharma on 23/04/2019 - 23:40

      And what are the chances of getting the exemptions?

      • spackbace on 24/04/2019 - 02:04
        +1

        Check with your local council for advice and to make sure you are set up correctly.

        It's right there on the page.

        How about asking the council and they'll tell you if you need to fix something…?

        • ThithLord on 24/04/2019 - 07:45
          -1

          Okay but what are the chances they answer the phone call within 5 rings? What are the chances the operator is named Steve?

          • trinkasharma on 24/04/2019 - 11:06
            +1

            @ThithLord: Chances of getting a response in 5 rings is low but I am OK with that. No personal preference for any particular operator as well.

        • trinkasharma on 24/04/2019 - 11:05
          +1

          Council inspection is like 650 AUD. I wanted to do my due diligence first as many of the things are subjective.

  • AustriaBargain on 24/04/2019 - 01:05
    -1

    Why don't you become a personal chef that makes lunches for your clients, do you even need a license to be a personal chef?

    • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2019 - 01:24
      +2

      Great idea until said client gets sick from food prepared in unregistered kitchen and lawyers up.

  • Hardlyworkin on 24/04/2019 - 05:21
    +1

    How's your insurance if things go pear shaped? Food poisoning for example.

    • trinkasharma on 24/04/2019 - 11:10

      Need to check this, thanks. I assume that unless the premises have been ratified, insurance would not offer me any policy.

  • chumlee on 24/04/2019 - 08:04
    +1

    I would concentrate more on how you are going to market your products in a competitive environment.

    Do you have a business plan or is this a "I'll wing it" strategy?

    • GG57 on 24/04/2019 - 09:11
      +1

      I agree.
      There are any number of competitors in this marketplace, all with compliant kitchens that have passed council assessments.

  • ms_caz on 24/04/2019 - 10:34
    +1

    One of the things that you might also like to check is your residential lease - does it prohibit using the property for commercial uses? I seem to recall a clause along these lines from previous leases I have held.

    • trinkasharma on 24/04/2019 - 10:57

      Good point. Will check this.

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