The scenario is novel and so are the all the situations around it … But our association with food remains the same. It’s always been and I feel will always be straight from the Heart. The current pandemic situation has further paved way for all the Home Chefs and Bakers to showcase and highlight their culinary expertise at an altogether newer height. The immense popularity and surge in this segment is evident and proof that there have been so many hidden talents who now have a horizon to explore …
With the restaurants, cafés and diners combating a lot of restrictions and with safety being prime focus, people trust food coming out from a Home Kitchen much more than a Commercial Kitchen especially during these novel times. Thus evident that the shift towards food coming from Home Kitchens is here to stay and rule …
Home Chefs have evolved with times and we are witnessing cuisines and their takes on food with a zeal and enthusiasm that is satiating palettes across all spectrums. This segment of home chefs have embraced all the new, blending the same with their traditions and have given the culinary enthusiasts a fresh whiff from their Kitchens and Abodes …
Social media adds just the right seasoning, further adding the right elevation to these flourishing enterprises and start-ups. The experts are not seeing home chefs as a threat to their traditional food businesses hence they are emerging sector in their own right and here to stay …
The business models are diverse giving an edge over traditional models building a personal connect. Home chefs share their daily menus, pictures, recipes, operating out of social media platforms which are an integral part of all lives these days thus connecting all through the fragrances coming out of their Kitchens straight to each food lover’s heart …
Let us review the steps to help you master your food business from home…
Master your Food Business from Home :
- Choose your Cuisine – Selection of Cuisine is the starting point. It is important to play to your strengths. Fusion of your forte with the right balance of experiment with this key feature will provide the jump start to your culinary journey ahead. This coupled with understanding the food business, target customers, competitors along with latest market trends will ensure a smooth ride in achieving your dreams …
- Curate a Menu – Menu plays an equally important role as the Cuisine gets highlighted through a well-balanced and curated Menu. It lays the foundation to various aspects of your business model and all further planning is based on the Menu. Right from procuring the ingredients and packaging materials to cut-off period for placing orders and much more rests on this key feature of your business …
- Choose a relevant name for your business and define your brand – Name of your business with a Logo and Tagline truly defines your brand and establishes an instant connect. All is in the Name to begin with, as it’s the introduction and is the bridge to connect you and your food with the rest of the world.
- Compliance to statutory requirements – As per Indian laws, FSSAI license or registration is a mandatory compliance for home based food production. The type of FSSAI license would vary based on the category and scale of the home based food business. Follow a simple online process to procure the license/registration …
- Packaging : Packaging is the protecting shield of your precious creation and should be given equal importance as the food preparation. The packaging material should meet all the standards of food safety and should be able to withstand the delivery and handling process till the food reaches the plates. It is recommended to have your brand name on the packaging along with the compliance details, allergen information and other mandatory instructions as it adds the right touch before one savours your creation …
- Decide on delivery method – Delivery and choosing the right one will help deliver the food to your customers seamlessly. Thus ensuring a smooth functioning of another integral part of the home food business. There are various options to explore in this segment depending upon the location and the customer base …
- Advertise and promote your business – Advertising is an essential step in the growth of a business. There are different ways and means by which one can advertise in today’s times. The quality of your products give a jump start in the word of mouth arena which all swear by, but today it calls for more than the tried and tested ones. The social media platforms and the web being the obvious choices In the digital marketing section. Creating a website and using various social media platforms to promote your business proves to be the most promising choices. Engage users by sharing teasers about the dishes you would offer and even request friends and family to spread the word through WhatsApp groups. Get stickers printed with your logo and contact details for branding on each pack of order …
Follow basic Good Food Handling Practices:
- Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours of purchase
- Separate Raw and Cooked food to avoid cross-contamination
- Clean fruits and vegetables before food preparation
- Cook food at appropriate temperature
- Cover foods properly to prevent contamination
- Clean surfaces like cutting boards, utensils, counter tops often
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap, before and after handling food
- Chill the leftovers within two hours of being cooked
Believe … Be passionate … Master your food business …
Expand and increase your business … Make your dreams realise that there are no limitations to your home kitchens. They are indeed Your Dream Kitchens where meals are made to get instant smiles and happy feelings … Cook With Passion …
Connect with me to share your culinary journeys …