Who this is for

• Home cooks

  Cooking from your residential kitchen for family, neighbours and local customers

• Caterers

  Preparing food for events, celebrations, office lunches and parties

• Meal prep vendors

  Portioning weekly meals for regular customers who want home food on demand

• Party tray sellers

  Producing jollof, rice dishes, small chops and sides in bulk for gatherings

Your seven-step readiness checklist

1. 1

   Register your food business with your local authority

   All food businesses operating in the UK must register with their local authority at least 28 days before trading. Registration is free and cannot be refused. You register where the food is prepared, not where it is delivered.

2. 2

   Prepare your kitchen and process evidence

   Inspectors will want to see that your kitchen is clean, that food is stored safely, and that you have a documented food safety management system. Take photos of your setup and keep records of cleaning schedules and temperature logs.

3. 3

   Complete food hygiene training

   A Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering (or equivalent) is the recognised standard for home-based and small food businesses. Many providers offer it online at low cost. Keep your certificate safe.

4. 4

   Prepare your allergen information

   UK food law requires you to declare the 14 major allergens in every dish you sell. Write down every ingredient in each dish, identify which allergens are present, and have a process for handling allergy queries from customers before they order.

5. 5

   Prepare your menu and labels

   Write clear dish names, accurate ingredient lists and any preparation notes customers need (such as "contains nuts" or "made in a kitchen that handles dairy"). Clear labels help customers make safe choices and reduce the risk of disputes.

6. 6

   Get inspection ready

   Before your local authority inspection, run through the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Safer Food Better Business pack. Have your food safety management records up to date, your temperature probe calibrated, and your storage areas organised.

7. 7

   Upload your evidence to your Feastpot profile

   Once you are approved as a Feastpot vendor, upload your hygiene registration number, food safety certificate and any relevant accreditations to your profile. This evidence appears on your public profile and builds trust with customers.