Has anyone got a baking 'side hustle' or would like to make some money selling cakes to the local market?

I'm baking to raise funds for First Responders. A couple of local shops have 1 or 2 cakes at a time, and 1 doesn't ask for any of the income. I'm selling at some coffee mornings at a phone, a leisure centre. These are good ccash- generators. I'm also planning to sell on a market stall but not until the weather improves. What have you done so far?

Hi Pat, I was selling to a local deli and think there is an opportunity for more bakers to sell to their local market. I think there's a lot of talented bakers out there who could be earning from their skills. I know a few people doing birthday and wedding cakes too.

I have the impression that food regs insist that cakes made for sale to the public have to be produced in kitchens which must be inspeced and meet strict hygiene standards.
It's something my DiL is looking into. She's been very successful in making birthday and wedding cakes for friends and is hoping to start her own business.

Yes, there are regulations for cooking at home and the council will send out an environmental health officer to check the kitchen. But it's actually quite straightforward.

Look out for the tax inplications too - my friend got in a bit of trouble over this - she was selling cakes to local village shops.

Last year when I started selling cakes I was visited by the Environmental Health Officer. I spent a week cleaning every nook and cranny, expecting her to look in cupboards and fridge. She was a lovely lady, just put her head round the kitchen door and asked very basic questions. She gave me a fridge thermometer which was handy. Apparently cake is very low risk. I did have to compile an allergen chart showing the ingredients in each cake. I was awarded a 5 star certificate. This year I can do it over the phone. I was setting up a pop-up tea room in the market, so she did visit there and noted that we all wore aprons, had cleaning materials to hand and kept cakes covered. We had a 5 star rating for tbsp. Very easy, but essential.

Beautifully explained pat. I'll pass that on to DiL.

Yes I found it quite straightforward too. Not sure about the tax. You would have to sell a lot as the margins are low.

I make very good wholemeal bread - confirmed yesterday when our 2 removals men demolished a 2lb loaf at one meal (plus other things.)
At one time I considered doing it as a business. What put me off was the need to constantly work, for very little profit.
I've seen a private bread selling business in the market, and their markup is very small, considering the hours of labour, gas etc. Apart from the ingredients.
I think you would have to get into a 'niche' market, with people who are fanatics about healthy food, to be able to charge prices high enough to make it worthwhile.

ps I think you would also have to invest in a large oven, machine with dough hook etc and lots of tins.
I can only make 4 two pound loaves at a time.

pensionpat what a very information and useful post ??

I used to do the tax for my DH’s business and it’s pretty straightforward. You can claim heating, telephone, cost of equipment and your ‘uniform’ etc against tax. You might however want to,check your house insurance if you are effectively running a business from home.

Last year our cake-selling fund-raising raised a lot of money. It was all profit because my sister and I donated the ingredients the ingredients. This year I'm doing it on my own. I'm finding it disappointing at having to think about someone else (the shop owner) needing some profit too! So im having to think about costings this year. For example yesterday I was asked if I wanted to make cupcakes for a local shop. They are only willing to pay me 60p per cake, which they will sell for £1. I shall have to shop cannily to make this worthwhile. I really think I'd prefer to sell direct. Do you think 60p is fair. I'm such a business novice.

pensionpat - don't be afraid to negotiate. When you are working out your costs remember to include EVERYTHING. As well as the cost of ingredients and gas/electricity etc add on an amount for delivery if your customer doesn't collect and don't forget to cost in the time it takes you to do the baking. When you are fully costed and have added on your required profit then you can decide if 60p is fair or not. Of course, you may wish to sell at a low price at first then when your cakes are a massive success you can put the price up!

Thanks for advice NTO.

My pleasure, pp. It's only common sense really but I hate to see decent people ripped off. Best of luck with the cakes!