I operate currently following cottage industry rules and am considering applying for a license (so I can do cheesecakes, etc). I read on the State's website that the fee is $10.00 and you have to undergo an inspection, can't have carpet in kitchen or pets in the home. I would like to hear from some fellow bakers who have actually been inspected. Wonder how in depth the inspection was and what the inspectors were looking for. Any insight is appreciated.

I think there are a few people on this link that talked about it, but not sure.

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-89291.html

Thanks Michelle. I had read thru that post before, but no one speaks specifically about the inspection process that they've gone thru. Actually I've read thru every post I could find on the subject! I'm sure someone out there has been inspected.

Anyone have any personal insight?

I plan on calling the Dept of Agriculture Mon or Tues.

I thought I read somewhere that it was a quick and painless procedure. Inspector came in and checked fridge temp and oven temp and then the basics about not having carpet or pets.

Hopefully someone will pop in and give personal advice.

p.s. I love your kids art cakes!! So cute!

Thanks again. I tend to be alittle obsessive-complulsive about things. Just want someont to tell me not to sweat it!

I've never heard of Penisula; where is it?

I have also heard that it is a "painless" inspection if you meet the criteria. Good luck to you.

Go Bucks!

I am the same way. Have spent the entire weekend starting a website and baking!!

I'm near Akron. You are near Columbus?

Michelle-
I'm about an hour south of Columbus. I live in a pretty small town.

I havr a sister who lives in a really small town about 45 minues north of Columbus!

I called the Dept of Agriculture to schedule an inspection on Monday. The lady took my info and said an inspector would call back in 1-2 weeks to schedule an appt. He called this morning and said he would be in the area today and asked if we could do it today!!! I just laughed and said no way. So he's coming on March 16th. I need the time to clean the kitchen from top to bottom.

Sounds like what hubby did to me the other day. I work at home, so don't always take a shower first thing in the a.m. He calls to say his sister is coming home with him from a school function for our son. What?!?! I've been working all day, squeezing in time to decorate a few sample cookies for my website, hadn't taken a shower, the house was a mess, I was a mess.....no way. So in the 15 minutes I had before they came over, I cleaned the bathroom, threw the dirty dishes in the sink, picked up as much as I could around the house, shut the bedroom doors, and threw a hat on my head along with a few sprays of perfume. That would not fly for the inspector though. LOL!

What was he thinking!!! Sometimes they just don't get it! LOL How's the website coming?

It's done, up and running, but I'm too embarrassed to show anyone on here yet! I only have a few pictures right now, trying to add at least one new one every night, so I'm making nightly messes out of my kitchen. Having fun though!

Hey Sally...I am in Gahanna- in the suburbs of Columbus and I did my inspection back in October. It was extremely EASY!!! Anal girl here did the "clean it from top to bottom" and it wasn't worth it!

So, basically my guy looked to verify (and asked) no pets, no carpet....cool. Looked in a couple of the lower cabinets (you should have seen him trying to work the child safety locks...poor thing). Definately will look under your sink. Basically he is looking for evidence of rats or other small varments. He checked the temp of my fridge...has to be between 40-45 F. He told me to buy a thermometer ahead of time, so all he had to do was open the fridge and read it as opposed to using his little handy dandy meter thing. (Bed Bath and Beyond has one for $5 w/suction cups so you can attach to the inside- and out of the way of your goods). I have a second fridge in my unfinished basement...never asked about that and I didn't offer. Did not even ask where I store my ingredients or anything- I was shocked by that!

Then, he sat down and told me how he hates home inspections and bragged about the "bigger" clients he has to inspect like Anthony Thomas Candy (whippee!- like I care!). He brought his own little printer, logged all of my basic information into the form, reviewed it with me and had me sign it. Printed it out right there on the spot. Reviewed labeling procedures -who has to do it, what needs to be included and such...doesn't apply to me bc I sell right to the customer...I don't do cakes for re-sale by another party. Tells me if I open a shop then its not the Dept of Ag, it will be Health dept....blah, blah, blah....

Then tells me about his ex-wife, who has custody of kids (him...wife had her own "home based business" and it wasn't cake according to him), DH comes in...fills him with stories...blah, blah, blah...goes home.

I think I may have said too much...sorry. Just stressing how uneventful it really all was. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Have you done IRS forms or filing articles of incorporation???? I can help there too if you do. (more money!)


-Michelle

Isn't this all exciting??? I'm a dork. I know it.

I emailed my county's health department just to double check for any licenses and nope, just follow the cottage bakery laws. Woohoo!! I can't get licensed because we have a little pooch, but that's okay for right now I guess. I might register my name in a few months if I get any orders and figure it's worth the $50 filing fee. Other than that, unless I decide to sell at the farmer's market down the street, which would probably involve this night owl getting there at 8 am and probably won't happen, then I'm set...I think. I have to check into how to file the tax part of it though. Taxes confuse me and we get away with doing the easy form because we don't own our house.

THANKS MICHELLE!!!! I needed to hear from someone who went thru the inspection. You put my mind at ease.

Hi Michelle, 

I do a home based cake business in Columbus. Since I fall under the Cottage Law, Dept. Ag said no need for license (No intention of baking Cheese cakes either). But I need to register the business I guess. Can you lend me a hand on that? I'm clueless about everything. 

When I got my license (so I could sell perishable items) I had to given them a mock ingrient lable at the time of the inspection.  It contained all ingrients in a cake I make for the bakery in order of weight, weight of finished product in lbs and kg and a note that says something like "home baked goods" so people knew the goods were not from a commercial kitchen.

I may be remembering wrong but I think I had to fill out a 533a (found at http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/upload/business/filingformsfeeschedule.aspx?page=251#domLim under Limited Liability Company section), but I can't remember for sure.

In Ohio, done it. I cleaned & scrubbed every square inch of our kitchen, he looked around for 2 minutes or less, I think he opened the oven and/or fridge and it was done. No pets or carpet in the kitchen, I actually have carpet in the non cooking end of our kitchen & it was not an issue. He only comes ONE time, unless there is a complaint.