How to License a Catering Kitchen in New York
Home catering start-ups in the State of New York are a popular business. When you cook meals to be served in the same home as the kitchen, like a personal chef, no license or inspection is required. However, when you prepare the food separately from where it is being served, you will need to license your catering kitchen.
There are differences between a restaurant and catering kitchen in New York. A place of business that makes food for catering is not permitted to invite the public inside, like a restaurant. Additionally, no music or entertainment is permitted. Although the public is not permitted to enter, you still must comply with all pertinent federal, state and city regulations and laws.
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Things You'll Need
- Fire inspection
- Electrical inspection
- Food Service establishment permit
- Pre-operational inspection
Instructions
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In order to obtain a license for your catering kitchen, you will need to have a fire inspection. You are exempt from this inspection if you already possess a current Department of Buildings Place of Assembly Permit. Contact the FDNY to arrange an official inspection. You will need to submit a completed application which you can download online at the NYC government website. When you have positive inspection results, you must submit your completed application to license your catering establishment within 60 days
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Licensing your catering kitchen not only requires a fire inspection it also requires an electrical inspection. You are exempt of this inspection if you have a statement on electrician's letterhead stationery, from a licensed electrician stating that the place of business is compliant with all current electrical building codes. Once you have passed the inspection you must submit a basic license application along with other documents depending on your business type.
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You must have a food service establishment permit to license your catering kitchen. This permit is provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and no online process is available. First visit the NYC government website to determine which documentation is required for submission. This will once again be dependent on the type of proprietorship. Documents must be brought in person to the DHOMH between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
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After you submit your initial required documents and your Food Service Establishment permit is accepted and paid for you will be issued a receipt for your accepted application. You will then need to have a pre-operational inspection at least 21 days before your establishment opens.
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