Running a cooking or meal prep business from your home can be a great way to make some extra money. But to do so legally, you need to ensure that you are registered and have the appropriate licenses. In this article, we will outline which licenses you need and how to get them.
Do You Need a License to Cook?
There is no specific license that allows you to cook for other people. So you don’t need to worry about registering and training for a particular cooking license. However, you will need a license to handle, serve, and cater food, which we will discuss below.
Licenses You Need To Run a Cooking or Meal Prep Business
Though there is no cooking license, there are several licenses you will need to acquire before starting your cooking or meal prep business. These include a business license, food handler’s license, catering license, and possibly zoning permits.
Business License
You will need to obtain a business license to operate your cooking or meal prep business legally. You can do this by registering your business with the government. The process for doing this will vary depending on your country, state, and municipality.
Food Handler’s License
If you are handling food that will be served to others, you will need a food handler’s license. This is also sometimes called a food service license or food handling certificate. To get this license, you will need to complete a food safety course and pass an exam.
Catering License
If you plan to cater events, you will need to get a catering license. This license allows you to serve food to the public. To get this license, you will need to apply to your local government.
Zoning Laws and Permits
You will also need to ensure that you comply with zoning laws and have the appropriate permits. Zoning laws regulate how businesses can operate in specific areas. So you will need to check with your local government to see if there are any restrictions on running a cooking or meal prep business from your home.
Cottage Food Laws
If you live in the United States, you may be able to operate your cooking or meal prep business under cottage food laws. These laws allow people to sell certain types of food from their homes without a license.
However, there are limits on the types of and how much food you can sell. These limitations vary from state to state, so you will need to check with your local government to see if your business qualifies.
Conclusion
If you want to start a cooking or meal prep business from your home, you will need to ensure that you are registered and have the appropriate licenses. These include a business license, food handler’s license, catering license, and possibly zoning permits.
You will also need to check with your local government to see if there are any restrictions on running a business from your home. Following these steps will help ensure that you are operating your business legally.