To start a business selling my amazing homemade fudge?

[livinglavidavillanelle]

Currently musing ways to make some extra ££££'s.

My fudge is bloody fabulous if I do say so myself. I give it to friends and family who always want more.

That said, I'm not certain of the health and safety apect of this, I'm sure it's complicated (and rightly so), AIBU to think it's something that's worth persuing? I'd be looking to sell it online or at craft fairs etc.

Send me some and I’ll tell you if it’s good enough to sell .... 🤤

Indigo PM me your address and I will gladly send you some to taste test, it can be market research! :)

Definitely worth looking in to. There’s always independent confectionery sellers at farmers markets near me.

Seriously, I went to a food festival recently and their was this guy selling his home made fudge/truffle hybrid. According to his website he made it at home to begin with so it can’t be that difficult to comply with H&S regs.

His was delicious! He printed his own labels on his home computer too, so it was wrapped in foil and then paper like an old school chocolate bar. Massive range of flavours he offered to and he did the same as you intend, fairs and online sales.

Go for it!

And send me a taster....

Someone beat me to it. I was also going to offer to taste it for you

Ooooh interesting, do you remember what he was called Indigo?

Former business advisor here so..
Yes, do it if you are happy spending most of your time making fudge. the rest of your time will be spent selling it, dealing with your accounts and invoices, marketing and social media, and complying with the myriad of rules around small business. Eg. Food hygiene compliance, tax and tax returns, business rates, possible VAT registration once you have enough turnover, employment of staff including paying their NI and pensions......

I’m not pissing on your chips - here in Scotland there is a very famous fudge brand called Mrs Tilly’s that started just as you did, so it can be done. But please, please, think it through and take advice. Good luck!

What I’m of spare time do you have? It will eat ALL of that and then some.

Get yourself on Dragons Den, after youve sent me a sample

Just PM’d you his web address OP

If you are going to profit from it you need to have your kitchen inspected by environmental health before you can sell to the public. I think you can find details on the internet for it. Good luck!

I'm an EHO- easy to set up food business from home. See here for lots of info - www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/setting-up-a-food-business

Omg, I love a bit of fudge, consider myself a conisseur as always buy the gorgeous homemade stuff at country fayres and fetes. I would be a great taster for you!

I was somewhere recently (sorry can't remember where!) with a sweet shop advertising home made fudge but when I went in I was told they had stopped making it as butter had become too expensive to be worth their while and they sold factory made fudge instead.

Make tablet instead OP!

Oh please send me a sample! I love fudge.

From what I understand as long as your kitchen complied with the food standards laid out by the government then you’re good to go, so you can look into that. A lot of bakers/confectionery makers work from home, I know a baker who is based at home - she has invested in some high end equipment (oven, mixer etc) but otherwise it’s quite a normal set up.

You could set up an Instagram/fb to establish a brand too.

Worth a try eh?

There’s a business local to my mum that sells takeaway actually from their home one night a week, people place orders and drive to the street to collect at a pre-arranged time. They’re fully compliant with health regulations and I believe have the highest hygiene rating possible, so it obviously can be done!

I would say with a little bit of research as to your responsibilities, it’s definitely doable! Also, if you won’t be employing anyone else to help (at least initially) that’ll be far easier (no employment law to consider).

Mmmm fudge.
I’d have offered to taste it but I see others have beaten me to it 😞
Have you costed it? First thought is that if you make it with sugar butter and condensed milk it’d be expensive.

There are lots of people making fudge. It is sometimes very nice and often not so nice and very often it is overpriced. I am happy to test it for you.

However, please don't make it like Mrs. Tillys because that is one we never buy, it is not very nice. Make it with proper original ingredients and none of the stuff that is added these days that give it a weird after taste. Butter fudge is the best.

I like fudge, I am fussy about it though. I'm fussy about all food actually. If I'm going to indulge in a treat though, it needs to be worth it! Another willing taste tester here 😊.

I prefer tablet to fudge. Been ages since I made it!

Wow, thank you so much for all the encouragement and advice! Lots to think about. In the meantime I will definitely look into the food hygiene aspect. Once that's all in place, I will be back to offer some free samples as market research!
roseenglishrose I think perhaps my fudge probably is more tablet-ey than standard fudge, the most popular version is slightly grainy in texture

Etino I have done some calculations and whilst the condensed milk, sugar and butter are costly, it seriously makes so much that it's got to make £££££'s

Mmmm, I love fudge! Do it OP- the commercial stuff is nowhere near as nice as homemade fudge. More than happy to be a taster for you as well