What Makes a Commercial Kitchen?

A commercial kitchen requires a license.

Commercial kitchens are kitchens that the state health department has officially approved for the manufacture and preparation of food that will be sold publicly. From time to time a health official will inspect a commercial kitchen to check that it complies with public health laws.

State Laws

If you are planning to sell food or beverages to the public, most states require that you prepare the foods in a commercial kitchen. The rules vary from state to state and you should always check to see what laws apply in your state when starting a business that involves food preparation.

Licenses

In order to operate and set up a commercial kitchen, you have to fill out several license applications depending on the laws and requirements in your state. In New Hampshire, for example, these include the Annual Food Service License Application, the Food Service Establishment Floor Plan Review Checklist and a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Plan. In addition, you have to submit water system requirements and floor plans as well as a list of food ingredients that are going to be processed in the facility. After this has been done, the site will be inspected and if it meets all requirements, a temporary license will be granted.

Renting

Converting a space into a commercial kitchen is a great expense if you are starting a small business. Other options are to rent space in an already established commercial kitchen. Churches and community centers often have commercial kitchens that are available for rental.

References

• New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services: Commercial Kitchens
• Business.gov: What's Cooking? Food Preparation Options for Home-Based Food Businesses
• Washington State Department of Agriculture: Government Regulations