How onerous is it to do environmental health certifications?

CinnamonCrunch33 · 2025-10-21T10:51:45+00:00

I am a very keen baker and my family has always said I should sell my cakes etc. I have just seen the post about cake sheds and would love to know how hard it is to actually do it?! I love baking and the idea of turning it into a little side project but if it’s too hard I won’t.

Somersetbaker · 21/10/2025 17:03

I don't think the certification is that onerous, it's mainly cleanliness, risk identification and record keeping. The problem you will find is that it's a lot of effort for very low profit, especially if you have an item that doesn't sell or a load stolen. There is an income to be made from commissioned baking, cakes for special occasions, maybe if you offer gluten free, or vegan. Remember it is almost impossible to guarantee a domestic kitchen is nut free. Prices I see quoted locally are high, but the return/hour worked will still be less than working in Tesco. A local town has a shop (formerly the WI shop) that sells home made produce cakes, preserves and pickles etc.Do you have similar? I just bake for myself and family, it's a hobby and I have no desire to have to make 50 cupcakes all of which have to be perfect.

Coffeeishot · 21/10/2025 17:05

Food hygiene is a day course where I am and it isn't hard .

Original poster

CinnamonCrunch33 · 21/10/2025 17:48

Somersetbaker · 21/10/2025 17:03

I don't think the certification is that onerous, it's mainly cleanliness, risk identification and record keeping. The problem you will find is that it's a lot of effort for very low profit, especially if you have an item that doesn't sell or a load stolen. There is an income to be made from commissioned baking, cakes for special occasions, maybe if you offer gluten free, or vegan. Remember it is almost impossible to guarantee a domestic kitchen is nut free. Prices I see quoted locally are high, but the return/hour worked will still be less than working in Tesco. A local town has a shop (formerly the WI shop) that sells home made produce cakes, preserves and pickles etc.Do you have similar? I just bake for myself and family, it's a hobby and I have no desire to have to make 50 cupcakes all of which have to be perfect.

Edited

We don’t have anything like that. I’m not silly enough to think I’d make a huge profit on it, but I’ve always loved baking. To be honest it’s a dream of mine to open a cafe but I doubt that’ll ever happen!

OP posts:

Somersetbaker · 21/10/2025 20:57

I'm sorry, your cakes are probably much nicer than anything i could buy or make. I think commissioned is the way to go, especially if your good at decoration, personally sponges coated in masses of icing aren't my thing, but they appear to be relatively desirable and people are prepared to pay a premium for them. The important point is what is enjoyable as hobby may not be as pleasurable if you have to do it, I've made loads of cakes but would never claim to produce a consistent product, big sigh of relief when the first slice is cooked and the fruit isn't at the bottom.