Does anyone know how to get a catering license in TN or what the stipulations are? I've been trying to find out info but am at a loss...
I cant get my in home license b/c of my dog and I dont have the $$ to add a kitchen onto my house so I was wondering if there were any ways around that, but that I can still be legal?
shamley0701, I just got my business license today. I live in Lebanon which is in Wilson County about 75 miles from you. I have contacted the health department and they will come out and inspect but it doesn't sound like a big deal here. When I asked him about my little dog, he said " I just don't want to see him when I'm there"
Depending on what county you like in I wouldn't think it would be really difficult. Contact you local heath dept for answers. Good luck
I got my business license. That is where the health dept told me to start. Now that I have that I can call the Health Dept and have them come out and inspect my kitchen and tell me what I need to do so that I have their blessing.
The health dept told me that if there is a door leading to where you are baking, it needs to have a spring on it to where it will close by itself. Not an expensive fix. Have to either have a 2 compartment sink with a high temp dishwasher or a triple sink. I am afraid once he comes out I will be replacing my sink with a stainless steel sink. The one I have now is kind of a fiberglass material. That is basiclly all he told me. I would love to get my own storefront and was working on a deal in Watertown but it didn't work out. I am still looking and figured in the meantime if I could get my home kitchen licensed then I would be on my way. Once the health dept passes my kitchen I will get a certificate from them. That is about it.
I have a pretty large kitchen with a walk in pantry and am pretty organized so I am hoping I don't have to change to much to get this certificate from the Health Dept.
Southernbelle,
Could you keep me posted on your inspection? I also live in TN, & one day plan on getting my business license. I looked on the Ag website & it states that the kitchen must be closed to the rest of the house. My house has a very open floor plan & I don't know if placing doors in the entryways would be possible. It also said something about taking a class on proper food handling. Do you know anything about that? I too have a small dog.
Thanks!
My house has a very open floor plan as well and I explained that to the inspector. Of course, until he comes out to take a looks I won't know. My dog is a little doxie who is going to my mom's in Indiana for about a month as dh and I have some traveling to do for work. I am hope I can get the inspector out when the dog is at my mom's. He knows I have one he just said he didn't want to see it when he was here.
Different counties are tougher here in TN I've heard. I have a friend in Hendersonville that has it pretty easy but I have heard Davidson county is tough to get your home kitchen to pass inspection.
I'll let you know how it goes.
I was told the class had to be taken at UT, it covered sanatation. I told him that I was already Safe-Serve certificed, but he said it didn't matter. I also asked if the class would be available online, and he said no. Everyone wanting to get a license for the baked goods,under the new law, must travel to Knoxville and take this class.
He told me I would need a seperate fridge for baking and seperate storage, stainless sinks, no one or other "home" activites can be done while baking. He did say that they would try to work with people on some things, but somethings would never happen, not sure what that means but anyway. If you haven't already check out the website.
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