Need advice

Hi all;

I am looking for some thoughts from all of you. I love to cook and bake and have recently delved into making desserts and doing small catering jobs for friends, co-workers, and family. I would eventually like to open a little neighborhood bakery. I am a self-taught cook and have considered going to culinary school but am not sure the knowledge I would learn is worth the cost of the schooling. I would love to participate in a local farmers' market selling my pies, etc. but realize I need to bake in a "health dept. inspected kitchen. I am totally willing to do this but I am not sure how to find a place that will "rent" me some kitchen time. I am obviously not wanting to have my own kitchen yet, as I want to test the waters a little first. Can any of you give me some advice on how you got started or how I go about this process?

Amy S.

find someone to rent their kitchen space to you...(i did the same making fresh fruit salsas a few years ago that i sold at the farmers markets)
or a restaurant that may be willing to sell your desserts??

Hi Amy! Good for you for looking into this adventure, and more power to you!!!! I've thought about a similar project throughout the years, but I'm not quite there yet. However, I would recommend checking with some local churches for kitchen rental. A lot of the larger (and even smaller) churches have full blown commercial kitchens, and are either willing to rent the space/time, or accept proceeds from the profits. Worth looking into, anyway! Best of luck!!!

Hi Amy! Good for you for looking into this adventure, and more power to you!!!! I've thought about a similar project throughout the years, but I'm not quite there yet. However, I would recommend checking with some local churches for kitchen rental. A lot of the larger (and even smaller) churches have full blown commercial kitchens, and are either willing to rent the space/time, or accept proceeds from the profits. Worth looking into, anyway! Best of luck!!!

I thought this was the case, but I've had pretty bad luck finding a church that is willing to do so. I even had the keys to one already, and then it got shot down in some committee. Others that were willing were told by their insurance company that they couldn't do it due to liability issues.

If anyone knows of a church in the city that's willing to do this, please, speak up!

I would imagine you could rent the kitchen at FB3, just get a hold of Sandy Nixon. You might also want to talk to Sherry Hurley of Farm to Fork catering, who I believe is in the process of getting consistent kitchen space or Annette Saco at Le Gallo Rosso. She's only open for dinner and closed on Mondays. There's also a stove/oven that never gets used in the B&B area.

wow! we have something in the ville called Farm to Fork catering?
How cool is that? Is there a website?

Amy, at FB3 Development, we have a certified kitchen and manufacturing area. We participate in a several farmers markets as well as work with retailers locally to get products placed on shelves.

I have tried calling a couple of churches and they all declined...without even seeming to give it any consideration. So I suspect that Martha is correct when she said the churches are probably prohibited by liability insurance. Sandy, I would love to talk to you about FB3. Thank you Jo for the other suggestions. I'll give those a try also. I would love to hear any other experiences, etc. Any other ideas are welcomed!

Amy

Amy,

A friend of mine who is a baker is potentially intersted in renting out part of her commercial kitchen. I've sent you a PM.

Deb

wow! we have something in the ville called Farm to Fork catering?
How cool is that? Is there a website?

Heather, I don't think she has a website yet, but her email is farmtoforkfood@gmail.com

I've used Sherry for one of my Nibble & Sips to rave reviews and we are also planning a Vegetarian Speakeasy for July. She's great to work with!

good to know thanks