Thinking Of Starting A gluten-free Bakery Business

[anerissara]

I have a good friend who has Celiac's also, and both of us have gotten good at gluten-free baked goods. Opal (my friend) makes incredible cookies and cobblers, and I've gotten good at a variety of fun birthday cakes as well as cupcakes, muffins, scones and the like. We have been tossing around the idea of doing a bakery, or a home-based baked goods business. Does anyone here have experience with that or thoughts on the subject? I'm not sure that I'm ready to take the plunge (I homeschool my 3 young kids so time is precious) but I've been thinking about it off and on for about a year now.

[Juliebove]

One suggestion I have is to try to have at least some things that are made without soy, eggs or dairy. A lot of people with allergies to wheat or gluten are also allergic to these things. There is one vegan bakery here where I can get such things, but they are not nearby. Can get some of their things at a local grocery store though.

It's frustrating to me to find a gluten free bakery, only to discover that there is nothing my daughter can eat because all of the stuff has eggs or milk in it. Or worse yet, to be lied to about it. I once bought a gluten free brownie and was told it was safe. I couldn't figure out why she got sick after eating it. Then the next time I went to buy one, they had a nutrition label on it and it contained eggs. Made me not want to trust anything she sold after that.

[anerissara]

I was thinking about that...doing gluten-free, Dairy free, and egg free...or at least giving people the option of ordering things that didn't have other allergy-producing foods. I can do a good gluten-free/dairy free product (even cheese cake, believe it or not!) but I haven't had much experience cooking without eggs. Is it hard?

I think it's especially important for people with kids to be able to buy a nice birthday cake that the child can actually eat, and other kids at the party will not think is "weird". I love doing cakes shaped like legos, or teapots, things like that...and it's tough to make a *regular* cake like that w/o practice (much less gluten-free) so I'm thinking there's a market there. I remember my son's first gluten-free birthday cake...I ended up making 2 cakes because the gluten-free one looked so funny. I felt so bad for him! It stinks that your daughter got sick after eating a "safe" brownie, I think that's the worst part...finding fun, safe treats that you don't have to make yourself for your kiddos. Sigh.

[ravenwoodglass]

I have a good friend who has Celiac's also, and both of us have gotten good at gluten-free baked goods. Opal (my friend) makes incredible cookies and cobblers, and I've gotten good at a variety of fun birthday cakes as well as cupcakes, muffins, scones and the like. We have been tossing around the idea of doing a bakery, or a home-based baked goods business. Does anyone here have experience with that or thoughts on the subject? I'm not sure that I'm ready to take the plunge (I homeschool my 3 young kids so time is precious) but I've been thinking about it off and on for about a year now.

A gluten free bakery is a great idea, a gluten free home based bakery maybe not so much. To see what you would have to go through to do this you may want to contact your local health department, they are the ones who are going to be going through your kitchen with a fine tooth comb, literally. If you are a total clean freak with a large frig, (there are regs about what you can keep where in those), and no pets you may stand a chance of passing the requirements but they are intensive. Also check with your local zoning board about wheter they will allow a home based bakery. If your city has a local business incubator you may be able to get some assistance setting up a bakery in an out of home location though. Good luck and best wishes if you decide to do this. It will be a lot of work and bear in mind that your clients are not going to care if you or a child are sick they are only going to care about wanting that cake when they ordered it for so be sure you have reliable help.

[Eriella]

A gluten free bakery is a great idea, a gluten free home based bakery maybe not so much. To see what you would have to go through to do this you may want to contact your local health department,

It will be a lot of work and bear in mind that your clients are not going to care if you or a child are sick they are only going to care about wanting that cake when they ordered it for so be sure you have reliable help.

Perfect advice!! It is so hard to own a home food business, and unless your house is 100% gluten free (down to the treats that your kid's friends bring into the house), you will have to disclose the cross-contamination. It will be an expensive investment, but if you live in a populated place and have the resources, please do it!

[blueeyedmanda]

The Lego cake sounds neat!

[NewGFMom]

There's a woman in my area that has a home based baking business. I don't know much about her, other than she is totally swamped with orders!

Her website is www.celiacakes.com if you want to check it out. It might give you some ideas.

[tom]

Awesome idea!!!

But, LOL, is it w/in driving distance of *ME*!!

Good Luck!!!

[ravenwoodglass]

I was thinking, if you have a good garage that you could spare, like any of us have any free space, but anyway, that might make a realistic way of setting up a for sure gluten-free space that you could fill with a couple of ovens, a sink and a frig. It would need to be a nice clean garage or outbuilding with a cement floor but you would have an easier time following regs if you do it that way. There are alot of regs that need to be followed but they are certainly not anything that should stop you if you have the desire and the finances.

You could also look into kind of 'renting' a restaurant kitchen, NOT a bakery (you would never decontaminate that). I have heard of someone that goes into one at around 2 am, wipes everything down good then brings in the totes with her flours and such and makes sure she is all gone by the time the chef comes in at 9 for the lunch crowd. If you can find a place that would let you do that you wouldn't need to worry about the health dept at all.

When there is a will there is a way, maybe not today or tommorrow but if you really want to do it, go for it.

[tiffjake]

There is a couple of sisters in Austin that started a business called McGoverns Organics. They do everything out of a "garage" attached to their house. It is an actual commercial kitchen now, but it looks like it was their garage before. You might want to contact them for advice. They are VERY helpful. They share recipes for their food with anyone who emails, so you don't have to feel like you are asking for them to give away a secret or something. All of their food is gluten-free and CF, but they also do Soy Free, Egg Free, Rice Free, Corn Free, whatever someone needs. I think that is a really good idea

[grantschoep]

In Denver, there is a completely gluten free rest. bakery called Deby's Gluten Free. You may be able to give them a call and ask for advice. Every one is really friendly there. The owner even made a wedding cake for my wedding last year. One thing I've noticed they do, which is probably good advertisement/spread the word. Is the come to local gluten free picnics and let you sample and buy things. At least they do that for the Celiac group I meet up with.

[wendy.is.a.pirate.princess]

Yes!!!!

What area are you in? If you are in Portland, I know of an entire network of small business owners and folks dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. I work for a CPA who's passion is to help the local economy grow. She is not your typical buttoned down CPA - she wears birkenstocks to work, and has hair hanging down to her behind, however she is very well respected in our community for her skill, understanding and expertise. She works with business owners all over the country, and if you want a free consultation with her where you can talk about anything from advertising, setting up your business entity, how to set up Quickbooks to reflect the flow of your business, how to prepare for taxes, how to determine pricing, and how to hook up and network with a ton of excellent sources, then give me a call - I am her admin assistant - at 503 244 6905.

And if you want to get started in Portland, I know of just the person for you to meet - a caterer named Carrie Peacock who works with people on restricted diets, but is having trouble meeting the needs of her celiac clients. I could see that being a good way for you to form an alliance. She's a very intelligent person too, who prefers cooperation above competition. I even have a suggestion for a commercial space! In to diffrent parts of town!

So I am excited for you. Please let me know how this goes, I am very curious.

From Wendy

[mother2gf3]

We found out that 3 of my children have celiac right before their birthdays. I am not all that great at baking so I ordered cakes at a local gluten free store here in utah, the cakes tasted very good, but they didnt look so kid friendly. They only have two cakes to choose from. I think you have a great idea, people with allergies will always have birthdays ,weddings, graduations etc.. If you have the desire and the knack for it ... go for it. the demand for this is only going to grow.

[Nikki'smom]

What a great idea! Good luck!

We are only 3 days into my dd's diagnosis and her bday isn't until November but I am already teary eyed about her bday cake!

Does any one know any of these kinds of bakery in Chicago or the suburbs of Chicago?

[Guest andie]

Hi

Don't suppose you would be interested in starting a small business in hicksville southwestern ontario?

Lots of people here need a good bakery.

Andie

[Darn210]

I looked into a business out of my home - decorated/fancy cookies (prior to my daughter's diagnosis). In Indiana, the board of health would NOT licence your family's kitchen. It had to be a separate kitchen from the one you use to make your family's meals. The person I talked to suggested putting together a second kitchen in my garage or basement. She also said that some people "rent out" or get access to their church's kitchen or a lodge (elks, moose, etc) kitchen that is licensed but is not in use all the time.

Good Luck.

[nowheatnomilk]

contact a local nutritionist to help with special ingredient substitutions for those with other food allergies egg, nuts, soy etc. Also ask your doctor and the nutritionist and or dietitians in the area approximately how many people they believe in the general area have special need diets. Draw a menu from this information. Identify all ingredients in your bake goods post them so the customer can read them. Ask questions in your doctors waiting room, survey people who grocery shop for special diet.-- ( look in there shopping cart) as them questions like, would you like to see a bakery or restaurant in this area that caters to your diet needs.. Check with special needs services in your area, they would have a load of information that may even help you get a loan.

good luck.

[Rai-Lee]

Yes!!!!

What area are you in? If you are in Portland, I know of an entire network of small business owners and folks dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. I work for a CPA who's passion is to help the local economy grow. She is not your typical buttoned down CPA - she wears birkenstocks to work, and has hair hanging down to her behind, however she is very well respected in our community for her skill, understanding and expertise. She works with business owners all over the country, and if you want a free consultation with her where you can talk about anything from advertising, setting up your business entity, how to set up Quickbooks to reflect the flow of your business, how to prepare for taxes, how to determine pricing, and how to hook up and network with a ton of excellent sources, then give me a call - I am her admin assistant - at 503 244 6905.

And if you want to get started in Portland, I know of just the person for you to meet - a caterer named Carrie Peacock who works with people on restricted diets, but is having trouble meeting the needs of her celiac clients. I could see that being a good way for you to form an alliance. She's a very intelligent person too, who prefers cooperation above competition. I even have a suggestion for a commercial space! In to diffrent parts of town!

So I am excited for you. Please let me know how this goes, I am very curious.

From Wendy

Hi

I too am interested in starting a gluten free baking business. I am curious, which Portland are you in Wendy? Oregon or Maine? I am from the Lewiston/Auburn area of Maine, not too far from Portland. I have been doing alot of research online lately, and am a bit overwhelmed at what it takes to get started. I would love some small business help!

Thanks,

Rai-Lee