Getting Started in a Commercial Kitchen
What do you need to operate in a commercial kitchen?
Business License
Food manager or food handler’s Certifcation
Insurance
Links are provided below.
1. Check out our Member requirements, then make an appointment to tour the kitchen.
2. Establish a package and fee plan. Once a member, you will get an orientation on kitchen protocol. Then you can begin booking tables and equipment thru our online reservation system
Food Handler's Certification
As an owner of a food business, you will need to understand the fundamentals of safe food preparation, packaging and food-service. California law requires that at least one employee of your food business holds and maintains a Food Safety Manager’s Certification, and that all people working in food preparation, storage or service have food handler’s certification.
These food handler’s certifications are offered by your local County Health Department, or can be taken through a number of private education organizations. Make sure that the course you take is ANSI (American National Standards Institute) accredited. A list of course offerings is provided below.
Insurance
Before you start selling your food products, you will want to have liability insurance in place. This may not be a requirement under State law, but will usually be required by commercial kitchens and the businesses to which you sell your food products. And it’s important to protect yourself and your assets.
To be a member of our kitchen, you must obtain liability insurance, naming Wonky Kitchen LLC as an additional insured.
You can secure your insurance through any number of insurance brokers. Recently many of our kitchen members have been using FLIP (Food Liability Insurance Program) for their liability insurance needs. We have also worked with State Farms, who offer competitive rates and familiar with industry standards for commercial liability.
State Farm:
Kelly Lux, Insurance agent, ALAMEDA, CA
www.kellylux.com (510) 521-1222
State Farm:
eric.ferraro.vabbcy@statefarm.com
http://www.ericferraro.com/
Flip Insurance:
https://www.fliprogram.com/events/2590
$10 Discount Coupon Code: THEPREPSTATION
FLIP Coverage Details:
Business Licensing and Local, State and Federal Requirements
We recommend food business operators get business licenses in place, and to familiarize themselves with the various City, County, State and Federal requirements for licenses, certifications and regulations for preparing, packaging and selling food and beverage products.
A good resource for understanding the various steps in forming, growing and operating your food business is a not-for-profit organization called SCORE. www.score.org
Starting your Food Truck
County Health website (https://deh.acgov.org/operations/mff.page)
Will you be focused on selling lunches to busy office locations, Participating in events and festivals, and/or Joining planned food truck events through Off the Grid (https://offthegrid.com/) or Food Truck Mafia (https://www.thefoodtruckmafia.com/)?
One of the benefits of joining our Commissary is that you become part of a community of Mobile food operators that can help you with information, advice and introductions. We have a great group of vendors and they are happy to share. (https://foodtruckr.com/2020/05/what-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-my-food-truck/)
