These professionals may decide to open their own business or operate independently from a current employer, which will result in the need for a business license. No matter how your family members and close friends might rave about your dishes or service, without making efforts to consciously promote your business, then you are going to be very limited as regards your services and how much you end up generating. Mail or deliver your application, along with payment for the business licence you are applying for, to: Licence Services Main Floor 395 Main St. Winnipeg, MB R3B 3N8. These individuals tend to be much cheaper than a professional personal chef, while still being able to meet your familyâs culinary needs. Generally, personal chefs who prepare food must collect retail sales tax and pay business and occupation tax under the Retailing classification on their income. A: A private chef, acting as a personal chef, needs a business license. What are the Best Types of Vacuum Cleaner for Hair Salon? The personal chef business is different from that of a private chef because while a private chef is employed by a single household and is expected to live with the premises of their employers, prepare at least three meals a day for their employers, supervise the activities of caterers whenever there is an event or large party and does not require a business license in order to operate, a personal chef is ⦠In addition, depending on your state, you may also need a catering license. A niche service is a specialized form of service that is different from the regular service and entrepreneurs who often wish to distinguish their business from similar others in a growing or even saturated market look for niche ideas. In addition, depending on your state, you may also need a catering license. The Service Delivery Process of a Personal Chef Business. Starting your business with personal savings or income generated from sale of stock or property, Sourcing for soft loans from family members and friends, Getting a business partner and splitting your startup capital with them, Ensure that you contract a professional to create a website that describes your services, has your contact information as well as your fees, Ensure that you advertise your personal chef services in local newspapers, food and lifestyle magazines as well as on local radio and television stations, Distribute well designed business cards and handbills at strategic locations and associations in the area where you intend to operate from, Create a handle for your business on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, Physically meet people in order to tell them about your personal chef business. At first glance, a personal chef business is a lot like a catering business. Catering license is the same as a business license but you may also need a seller's permit because you will prepare, sell and serve prepared food. Because you will be cooking for people personally, you will not need to worry about having to acquire any sort of intellectual property protection for your business. The growth of the personal chef industry has to do with the fact that more people are becoming too busy to cook their own meals and as a result pay for someone to cook the meals in their own kitchen and then deliver to them. If you are one who has a love for all things culinary, and in addition has entrepreneurial attributes, then starting a personal chef business might just be the thing for you. Promoting oneâs business is very important as you not only get to generate awareness for your business but you also get to generate revenue through the awareness that you have created. Pay Licensing Fees. After the presentation you will be given a test that you must pass to obtain your food and safety certificate. What are the costs involved in opening a personal chef business? In addition, depending on your state, you may also need a catering license. One fact you need to note though is that what obtains for a personal chef in one state as requiring documents might not be what your state will demand and so it is necessary that you make proper findings about what documents you will need so that you do not run into trouble with the regulated authorities especially in matters that has to do with handling of food. Industry operators are also expected to source for animal farmers that engage in humane animal treatment. The internet has opened up several possibilities for innovative and smart entrepreneurs and so you might need to take advantage of what the internet has to offer. Other groups of customers are those who may not be able to cook for themselves anymore or have to come up with diets that will cater to their medical conditions. Even though the personal chef business might not be as capital intensive as other kinds of businesses, you will still need capital to buy certain equipment, get your license and permit and also advertise your business in order to attract customers. Because state laws differ, personal chefs may need a state license and a local license if operating within city limits. This is also valid if you are going to take leftover food with you. Because of the variety needs of customers, you might need to develop a recipe inventory and ensure that the meals that you create can easily be frozen or defrosted. List of Well – Known Brands in the Personal Chef Industry. List of Niche ideas Within the Personal Chef Business That You Can Specialize in. If you are starting your personal chef business in a rural area, then you should realize that you might not have as many customers which doesnât mean your marketing strategies arenât effective but that those living in rural areas will prefer to cook their meals as they might not be as busy as those living in the city. There is a new trend for personal chefs especially those that prepare specialized cuisines as clients are made to fill a questionnaire about what goals they are looking to attain and their food preferences and then if they will need meals weekly or monthly. If a food storage facility must be used via an agreement with your client, it has to have undergone inspection and must also be licensed to store food. People are now becoming conscious of what they consume and as such will want to know that you are aware of this fact and take it seriously. Operating as a business will change an individual’s tax return. Some personal chefs also shop for groceries, purchase beverages, hire service people, rent equipment, and order flowers for events. The level of competition that exists in this industry is one that is limited to your area of operation. This means you can copy recipes, modify them without having to worry about being hit by a lawsuit from where you have copied the recipe from. If you will be cooking in your own kitchen or a commercial one, you must consent to routine health and safety inspections. If you will be leasing a commercial kitchen, you can set up an office within the same building. What customers are on the lookout for when they contract your services is that you can provide your services in an agreed location â at your own kitchen or theirs â under a hygienic environment. Popular personal chef brands are those who have distinguished themselves in terms of their niche services, their publicity campaigns both online and offline as well as their relationship with their customers. This doesnât mean that those who donât know how to cook cannot start the business as training can be obtained to brush up on your cooking skills as well as have the required knowledge regarding food safety, creating of menus as well as freezing of food. You can obtain the license for personal chef here. Hcareers: Does a Personal Chef Need a Business License. Cost and payment. A personal chef does have to comply with taxing authorities and business licensing and is well advised to maintain general liability insurance the same as any other prudent business person. This does not however mean that you should totally neglect offline possibilities as a careful combination of the two will see you achieving your publicity goals and objectives. Customers also expect operators in this industry, during their purchase of food, to consider health and wellness, buy from local producers that use no chemicals or pesticides and engage in sustainable production. If the estimate is less than $100,000, the license will cost $50, which is the minimum fee. If sole proprietors opt to incorporate their business or to form an LLC or a limited partnership, then state registration is required. However, it has not been easy to determine the number of personal chefs in the country as estimates used have been based on membership of different culinary organizations as well as associations. This is why it is necessary that you take time to research on ways you can make use of this strategy for your business without blowing a hole in your pocket especially if you have a constraint regarding expenditure. This shift to local has affected operators in the industry as this shift in customer taste and preference will affect sourcing for products, purchasing, and invariably the menus of the personal chefs. Below are some of the catchy name ideas that are suitable for your personal chef business; Insurance policies are very necessary in every line of business especially that which entails handling of meals. In 2006, the personal chef industry generated more than $100 million in revenue with projections that revenue will reach $150 million in 5 years. There are two reasons why a personal chef might lease a commercial kitchen and one of them is that his or her personal kitchen is not deemed safe by the department of health and safety within the state or that they are running a large operation where they have employed individuals that will not fit into their own home kitchen. These meals are packaged and stored, so that the client may enjoy them at his or her leisure in the future. Solomon Oâchucks is a Researcher, Prolific Writer and a UNICEF trained & certified Facilitator and Counselor, A Graduate of Morris Cerullor School of Ministry and He Holds a Degree in Personal Development & Science of Success from IIGL Asheville, NC, USA. If however you are looking to compete professionally against other personal chefs, then getting a professional certification will be of an advantage to you as it will give you the edge you seek for your business. Personal chefs go into a client's home once or twice a week (or biweekly or monthly) to make several meals, packaging them up for the freezer and refrigerator and leaving instructions for reheating or final preparation. Personal chefs can either prepare the meals in their own home, a commercial kitchen or the homes of their clients depending on what the client wants. Cost of the Business License. The place where a business is located has a lot to do with how much the business can generate the revenue that will aid it to grow and sustain itself. To get a personal chef business license or DBA, you will need to hold a current food and safety certificate. A Detailed Guide on How to Become a Chef Instructor, A Detailed Guide on How to Become a Bakery Chef, A Detailed Guide on How to Become an Executive Chef, How to Become a Chef at Home Without Going to Culinary School, How to Write a Personal Chef Business Plan [Sample Template], Starting a Personal Chef Business – Market Research and Feasibility Studies, Starting a Personal Chef Business from Home – Legal Matters. If you are however going to form a corporation or an LLC, then it will be best to get a certificate of incorporation. Personal chefs must have a business license in the city they are based out of. That person can be you, a business partner or a cook, but that person must have the authority to instruct others on how to properly handle food. Service License Application. Catering license is the same as a business license but you may also need a seller's permit because you will prepare, sell and serve prepared food. Below are the top personal chefs well known in their various cities of operations in the United States; Personal chefs were seen as professionals that cooked for only wealthy people, but that has changed as people are becoming busier with their careers, businesses, kids and having to commute, and having a personal chef is now seen as a must for those that are looking to have sustainable balanced and organic meals. Business licenses will often have an annual renewal period that requires businesses to pay a flat fee or percentage of sales to obtain the certificate. Other restrictions for food delivery or cooking environments may be determined by the state or municipality that the business operates in. While there are very few personal chefs in one state, another state might have a large number of them and so where you intend to start your personal chef business will determine how much of a competition you are going to face. To serve food that has been transported to anyone, even as a personal chef, you must apply for the Public Food Service License. It will be around Los Angeles area. If you like the idea of working for yourself and want the opportunity to stretch your culinary muscles as an entrepreneur, this is a great career choice. Starting a Personal Chef Business – Technical and Manpower Details, Starting a Personal Chef Business from Home – The Marketing Plan, starting a personal chef business and starting a catering business. The cost of the business license is based upon your estimate of total gross receipts from the day the business opens, through December 31 of the same year. Personal chefs typically fall under the category of catering in most states. So put on your entrepreneurial hat and let’s proceed. If you however are going to be coming up with creative recipes and posting them publicly on your website, it is only right that you seek for means to intellectually protect your ideas from being used by your competitors especially fast foods and restaurants. You can register for classes at your local Department of Public Health. You can work either on site or at home, and there is a strong business component to everything that you do. It will be around Los Angeles area. If you are a hair stylist or a tattoo artist, your business may be considered a personal services business if you make house calls. Sourcing for startup capital is usually one very challenging aspect when it comes to starting a business but being an entrepreneur is being able to handle challenges and overcome them. A personal chef must purchase cooking supplies, food, food storage containers, rent/purchase space to prepare meals, obtain liability insurance, and invest in marketing efforts. When starting any business, one aspect that is very important is how you will recoup your investment and make your business generate revenue that will not only sustain it but allow it to grow. The sellers permit is also called state ID, wholesale ID, resale ID, or re-seller license. The food and safety certificate it is also called a food handler's permit and you can obtain it online after taking a course online. Owners of catering services are required have both a food safety license and a regular business license. Large cities where there are more commuters and corporations will have a need for personal chefs than cities that have fewer establishments. And so even though you must ensure that your commercial kitchen is within your target market, it is also essential that it does not violate any existing state health and safety regulations. List of Legal Documents You Need to Run a Personal Chef Business. There is a fee involved, determined by where you attend. In this article, we will be considering all the requirements for starting a personal chef business. Here is What Licenses Are Needed To Start A Catering Personal Chef business. Also, apart from those having to meet with demanding work schedules, a large number of people now own and run their businesses which brings a certain degree of pressure where these entrepreneurs donât want to worry about having to prepare their own meals and instead opt for a personal chef. One of the major challenges that you might face is in knowing which coverage will offer you and your business the best protection; which is why it is usually best to seek the advice of an insurance agent or broker so that you do not end up spending on coverage that will not protect you or your business. Your market research will enable you to know who your target market is and which means they are more likely to use to see your business. You can team up with a social media expert to help you with all avenues to use in such a way that it will be beneficial to your personal chef business and allow you to attain your corporate goals and objectives. One thing you should realize when it comes to marketing is that where you are located has a lot to do with how your marketing strategies are going to be effective. In both, you are responsible for creating meals and providing service for a client with specific needs (whether it is a bridal menu or a dietary restriction). An estimated number of personal chefs in 2004 was pegged at 9,000 with the number reaching 25,000 by 2009. Request information on how to become a personal chef and understand the skills youâll need as a business owner in the field. Every legal entity has advantages and disadvantages and whichever you decide to settle on should be one that will be in the best interest of your business. Below is a list of some of the legal documents that you will need to be able to run your personal chef business in the United States; Not every business idea conceived sees the light of day and this is usually due to startup capital. There are many reasons why a personal chef business is an attractive venture, including: Low capital investment: compared to other businesses in the foodservice industry, a personal chef business requires a very low initial investment and minimal ongoing expenses.That means itâll be easier to get to profitability, and the business is ⦠Owners of catering services are required have both a food safety license and a regular business license. Below are some of the strategies that you can use to boost your brand awareness as well as create a corporate identity for your business; Copyright © 2021 Profitable Venture Magazine LLC | All Rights Reserved | See About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer. The personal chef business is one that combines oneâs ability with entrepreneurial skills. Once your business idea starts to look like it might become a reality, you need to take several steps in ensuring that your business becomes legal and one way to do this is by creating a business name. You are going to have competitors who might be regular food establishments like restaurants, food trucks and fast foods or other personal chefs and so your marketing strategies should take them all into consideration, study their weaknesses and strengths and then use this to create marketing strategies that will become very effective. Ensuring that where you cook meets with the regulating standard is also important as you do not want to be sued by your customers for violating health and safety regulations. Most personal chefs that have gained the attention for their businesses and received increased publicity are those that are located in strategic locations where there exists a large number of their target market. However, as the economy has slowly been recovering, more personal chefs are back to cooking for families with some now also arranging intimate dinner parties, offering cooking services and also leading in-house cooking demonstrations. The Personal Chef Certificate Course Online is an online learning program with suggested readings from the textbook (FabJob Guide to Become a Personal Chef). You also have the option of sharing a commercial kitchen with others. One must pay a fee to obtain a license, permit, and Food Safety Certification. The only difference is if you intend to lease a commercial kitchen which will see your costs go up. The United States Personal Chef Association offers Certified Personal Chef certifications to personal chefs that are looking to take their business up one notch, however, there are requirements that must be met and you should endeavor to find out what they are. Some of the threats and challenges that you should expect when starting your personal chef business are; having to attract customers to your business, having to deal with competition from other personal chefs and established commercial kitchens, government regulations regarding food handling, change in trends and customer preferences. If you are an employer, you will need a federal employer Number and a State Employer Number. Working as a personal chef is challenging, but extremely rewarding. Then, a Personal Chef seller's permit is required if you sell merchandise wholesale or retail. Do you intend to cook from your personal kitchen, commercial kitchen or in the kitchen of your clients?  According to the American Culinary Federation, the personal chef business is the fastest growing sector in the industry. If you've considered starting a catering business, a personal chef business is a great way to test the waters or to use your culinary skills without the hassle of starting a catering business, in which the cooking is usually done on a larger scale. Personal chefs will often need to report business or self-employed income, which can drastically change their federal and state tax liabilities depending on the amount of their business and licensure. If your business is where there are lot of alternatives for customers, then you will need to come up with strategies on how to make your business survive. More consumers are shifting to local because of varying factors such as the produce being fresh, clean, natural, healthier, sustainable, high quality and also because they feel that going local makes them socially responsible. Ensure that all documents are safely stored. In most cases, a sole proprietorship registration is handled through the county and/or city where your business is based, and there may be state and city permits or licenses required for operation. To operate a personal services business legally, you need a business license. Regardless of where you will be doing your cooking from, it is best that you set up an office with which to handle administrative tasks such as menu planning, billing and marketing. Those that you will therefore need to hire include; chefs, an office manager, logistics manager, customer care executive, driver and cleaner. It is however important that you conduct a thorough research on the niche area you intend to offer your services so that you do not end up in a niche that does not have lots of potential customers. The personal chef business is different from that of a private chef because while a private chef is employed by a single household and is expected to live with the premises of their employers, prepare at least three meals a day for their employers, supervise the activities of caterers whenever there is an event or large party and does not require a business license in order to operate, a personal chef is regarded as an independent contractor that has multiple of clients and can easily set their own schedules and fees. Your business plan should not only show a clear plan of how you intend to run the business at first but should also show how you intend to build your business structure and expand your business should it ever come to that. The personal chef business is one that can be run by one person i.e the entrepreneur; however, if you intend to run a large scale operation or have grown to have numerous customers which you cannot handle alone, you will need to hire other competent chefs that can help. The qualifications for becoming a chef range as widely as the type of chef you want to become, from a cafeteria worker to a personal chef to the executive chef at a five-star restaurant. Before any marketing strategy can be created, it is important that the entrepreneur conducts a thorough research about the market opportunity available and therefore know who your target market is, what they expect from you and what you should expect from hem as well. BENEFITS OF STARTING A PERSONAL CHEF BUSINESS. Acquiring professional certification for your personal chef business is not necessary at all as long as you have the culinary skills and also have gotten the necessary state certification and licenses that will allow you to run your business without any hitches. What are the Best Gifts for Hair Salon Opening? Personal chefs typically fall under the category of catering in most states. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample personal chef marketing plan backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for personal chef companies. Is Professional Certification Needed to Run a Personal Chef Business? A: A private chef, acting as a personal chef, needs a business license. Below are some of the niche ideas that you can specialize in; The Level of Competition in the Personal Chef Industry. Get an attorney familiar with the food industry to help you with the legal documents that you might require for your business depending on the laws in your state. 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