Has anybody sold dinners from their home?

Question

I will provide a small simple meat and vegetable sould food menu. I will cater these meals throughout the neighborhood, local churches, and to family and friends ( by word of mouth). I will also make some flyers so they could put in their orders in advance. I will keep the prices cheap but reasonable enough to gain a profit. I will serve soul food because that is what I cook best, and I live in a predominately all Black neighborhood. Please provide me with as much detail and advice as possible. I love to cook, and someday want to own a restuarant like my father had.

Answer 1

your going to need to do alot of things before you can do that.go to these sites maybe they can help you.good luck.

Answer 2

I used to help a lady out who did that. She a gave you a choice of meat: baked or fried chicken, fried fish, and something else. A choice of 2 sides: , green beans, potato salad, collards, yams, mac and cheese. A choice of bread: regular sliced potato bread, dinner roll or cornbread. Finally, choice of pound cake or something else for dessert and a soda/ water. Her menu varied a little. Like you, she got her clientele by word of mouth... barber shops, churches, neighbors and fam and friends. She charged $7 a dinner. She said she made more than what she spent, but didint have an extravagant profit. She stopped for other reasons but really enjoyed what she did while it lasted. I'd say give out small samples and take sample platters to places like football practices, barber shops (big $$$ in there ), and just talk yourself up as much as possible. One thing to be concerned with is the chance that someone may claim that you gave this a food borne illness and call the health dept and have you investigated for endangerment of public health. If you technically do not have a food service license and are serving food in exchange for $$, it's illegal and you could be fined. Good luck. If your food is great and you can build the clientele, you're set!

Answer 3

this is a great idea and I know if I lived close-you could bring dinner to me. Just 2 things you have to remember, if you take orders-the health department may come up on you. Some states make you have your home inspected if you are cooking for other people and selling it. I am not sure but I think if you didn't charge for the meals you could do it-maybe they could just give you a donation to help cover the cost. but if you are going to sell them, you need a business license.

Answer 4

Check your city for restrictions and any permits you need.They may need an inspector to give you a health permit.Make sure to get all that done, so no one can get you into trouble later on.It is good that you enjoy cooking....keep at it.I would see about selling to the churches and deliver them at the closing of the service....

Answer 5

I haven't done anything like that but with the right advertising (signs flyers etc) I think that it would be a big hit. I would order sounds great!

Answer 6

Two summers ago I tried selling box lunches consist of a sandwich, a bag of chips a soda and a dessert. I made
a little money. I would like to own my own restaurant too.

Answer 7

You really can't do that. You open yourself up to all kinds of lawsuits if someone was to get sick. You would be liable if you did not have a permit to sell food out of your home.

Answer 8

I have sold homemade food to my coworkers, usually I will say what i am planning to cook and they put there orders in. and i will bring in the next day to work.

Answer 9

It sounds like you have a good plan going.

Be persistent, and don't give up on your dreams.

Wish you all the best success.

Answer 10

my ex mother in law used to bring her husband home on sundays and feed her. when she got up from the table she would pay for her meal.