Starting a catering business in British Columbia
Plan your event menu, preparation kitchen, food safety training and transport before accepting a catering booking. Read the British Columbia requirements and official application links.
Research checked:
Catering in British Columbia
Plan your event menu, preparation kitchen, food safety training and transport before accepting a catering booking.
Food prepared at your home and transported to an event is a different operation from low-risk home baking. Tell the authority where you cook, store and serve every part of the menu.
Hot holding, cooling, reheating and travel time matter for catered meals. Ask which equipment and event approvals apply before quoting the job.
Use a written event brief covering guest count, menu, allergies, venue, serving arrangements and payment terms. Confirm changes before production.
Plan your service
- Review your menu and kitchen with the authority Confirm locally
Explain whether you will use a commercial kitchen, your home or the event venue. Do not assume the low-risk home-food exemption covers catering.
- Confirm permits, training and inspection Confirm locally
Use the local application links below. Ask about the kitchen approval and certified staffing needed for your operation.
- Plan transport and food service Confirm locally
Ask about temperature control, storage, water, handwashing and any venue or temporary-event requirements.
- Agree on the booking details Recommended
Record the guest count, allergens, service time, venue responsibilities, deposit and cancellation terms.
Provincial home food context in British Columbia
Lower-risk foods at temporary food markets only. BC’s lower-risk home-food route is for qualifying temporary food markets. It doesn’t cover selling from home or to shops.
Permits and kitchen approval
Apply through your regional health authority with floor plans, food safety and sanitation plans, and training. FOODSAFE Level 1 or equivalent is required.
Official resources: confirm your business route
These links cover home-food and licensed business routes. Low-risk home-food exemptions are context only for your service; ask the authority which applications apply.
Local requirements
- Fraser Health
Publishes an Application for Health Approval and food-service package. Regional example, not province-wide.
Home-food context
Ask the health authority about unlisted products, higher-risk foods or any other sales channel.
More business guides for British Columbia
Build your business on Dished
Four different things people mix up
A certificate does not let you open. Each of these is its own step, and you may need more than one.
- Food safety certificate
Proves you passed training. It does not approve your kitchen or business.
- Food premises permit
Authorizes a specific operation, where one is required.
- Notification or registration
Telling the health authority you are operating. A separate process.
- Business licence
Your city’s home-occupation or business approval. Also separate.
Federal rules to check in Canada
The details depend on your product and selling method. Check the applicable requirements and exemptions.
- Labels
Check common name, ingredients and allergens, net quantity, business identity, dates, storage and language. A Nutrition Facts exemption is not a blanket labelling exemption.
- Selling across borders
Shipping to another province or country? Check CFIA's tools first. Not every online home seller needs a federal licence.
- GST/HST
The general small-supplier test counts worldwide taxable supplies, including zero-rated sales and applicable associates, over one quarter or four consecutive quarters. It is not $30,000 of profit.
Your startup checklist
Completing this list does not establish government approval.
Write down your menu: ingredients, fillings, packaging, storage and shelf life.
Find your home-food exemption or approved-kitchen route.
List every way you will sell: markets, online, pickup, delivery, shops and shipping.
Check city zoning, home occupation and business licensing.
Contact your inspector and complete required notifications, applications and inspections.
Book accepted training where it is required.
Register your business name where needed and check your tax obligations.
Check insurance and landlord or condo permission.
Set up cleaning, storage, water, supplier, allergen and transport procedures.
Keep records of approvals, training, recipes and suppliers.