Baking - would you buy homemade cakes, quiches etc?

[SecondhandRose]

A friend of mine is an excellent cook and needs to supplement her income. I've suggested she make cakes, quiches etc for people to buy from her. I suggested she charge an amount per hour plus the ingredients.

I thought she could make cakes, quiche, bread, roasted veg and couscous salad and general catering things like sandwiches.

What I am trying to find out is would you buy from someone like this if they lived locally to you and would you pay more than the supermarket price for something that is homemade?

She is really doubting her ability but it is something I would buy but what about everyone else?

[starlover]

where would she sell them? won;t she have to have her kitchen inspected by eho?

[expatinscotland]

No. I make them myself. BUT, I really, really enjoy baking and cooking.

[SecondhandRose]

She'd sell them locally to friends and neighbours, yes she could have her kitchen inspected. You could eat off the floor so she'd have no worries about that.

[OldieMum]

I buy these from the farm job nearby. They are premium quality and I'm happy to pay a bit more than in the supermarket. She might have a more assured income if she could find a shop like this to take a regular order from her.

[starlover]

but i mean... how would she advertise? word of mouth? would people just come round and buy stuff? how would they order it?

[SecondhandRose]

Well, I suggested she start with a printed A4 order form with a list of what she can make with a price list and perhaps have a £10 minimum order and go from there.

Give them out to school Mums, neighbours and friends to start with and see how it goes.

[SecondhandRose]

She has a nice laundry area off her kitchen with an extra sink, I'm sure that could double up. There are farmers markets but then she'd have to pay for a stall.

What I need to know is would you buy and pay extra over supermarket prices?

[starlover]

probably not.... but then, like expat, it's something i'd do myself iyswim...

[Marne]

EHO are strict, i think you need 2 sinks, no pets near your kitchen, stainless steal work surfaces and you have to take a food hygine exam.

Yes people would pay more than shop prices (well i would)

[SecondhandRose]

Think she's got all those exams as she worked in catering b4 she had the children.

[elclose]

yes i would but can make my own as am a good cook,
all of you going on about exams and inspections are just kill joys,(yes i know you are right) but the poor women just wants a bit of extra cash!!

[ProfYaffle]

Ooh yes, I have to ration my visits to the WI stall on the Friday market. I know someone who used to buy this kind off stuff off a neighbour who had a table outside her house and left the cakes out there with an honesty box. But then I do live in Norfolk and it's a bit like that down here!

[satine]

I do this for a local mountain boarding centre. I had my kitchen inspected by the Food Hygiene Standards agency (you must have two sinks, lots of work surface and a general standard of cleanliness) and I had to attend a day's Food Hygiene course run by my local council. It's really worthwhile, I can heartily recommend it!

[Tommy]

I might buy them for a special occasion as I think supermarket quiches are all a bit samey.

[suzywong]

she should apporach all the cafes and lunch bars in her town.
When I was working as a caterererererer I used to supply quiches and baked good for a cafe (it was a cafe in an art gallery that was sold and went on to become Jamie Oliver's 15 restaurant - YES! she gets a name drop in)

IME, you never make enought money selling single items to private people.

ANd yes if she sells anything she will have to have her kitchen inspected by EHO and supply a list of all ingredients and storage instructions. Eating off the floor is one thing, but sufficient refrigeration and work space is another thing

Good Luck

[Bozza]

I think the idea of getting a local shop (farm shop, deli, that kind of thing) to take them is good - it would cut down on her selling/marketing etc time. Or could she interest some local caterers in supplying for them?

[Bozza]

Oh yes a cafe would be a good idea - maybe at a garden centre or something like that?

[starlover]

shr she would have to take her basic hygiene test at least as it has to be renewed every year.

I think the basic premise is good... but people will want some kind of guarantee of quality and cleanliness (for want of a better word) which is where markets and cafes come in... people tend to trust them more!

[SecondhandRose]

Thanks, seeing my friend tonight, I'll print this off for her. SHR.

[mosschops30]

I wouldnt, i dont buy from cake stalls at the school fete either, I hate the thought of eating something made by someone who might not have washed their hands or worn a hairnet.

But I'm a freak, so probably just me

[Mercy]

I would definitely buy these items at above supermarket prices, but only occasionaly.

Good luck to your friend - who knows where it may lead?!