Starting a private chef business in Ontario
Distinguish cooking in a client kitchen from preparing food at home, then confirm the approvals, food safety training and booking requirements for your service. Read the Ontario requirements and official application links.
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Private & personal chefs in Ontario
Distinguish cooking in a client kitchen from preparing food at home, then confirm the approvals, food safety training and booking requirements for your service.
Cooking in the client kitchen is different from preparing food in your own home and delivering it. Explain both locations if your service combines them. A home-food exemption does not automatically cover private chef work.
Ask the local authority how it classifies your service and whether food-business notification, permits, training or kitchen approvals apply. The home-baking rules below are context, not approval of a client kitchen.
Confirm the client kitchen equipment, storage, water, pets, allergies and cleanup arrangements before agreeing to a menu. Record which ingredients or prepared components you bring.
Plan your service
- Describe exactly where you cook Confirm locally
Tell the authority whether you cook only at the client home, prepare components elsewhere, transport food or provide recurring meals.
- Confirm the rules for the service Confirm locally
Ask about business licensing, food-business notification, training, permits and any preparation-kitchen approval. Do not assume every client kitchen needs the same permit.
- Check the client kitchen before booking Recommended
Discuss equipment, refrigeration, food storage, handwashing, allergens, pets and cleaning arrangements.
- Create a clear service agreement Recommended
Record the menu, guest count, groceries, dietary requirements, preparation time, cleanup, travel and payment terms.
Provincial home food context in Ontario
Low-risk home food, after you notify public health. Home food businesses fall under provincial food-premises rules and public health inspection. Low-risk-only kitchens get specific exemptions — but you still notify, and you can still be inspected.
Permits and kitchen approval
Anything needing refrigeration goes to the health unit for assessment. Other food-service operations need certified-person coverage — confirm with the inspector.
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
Home-food context
There’s no single notification form for every health unit. Use your own unit’s process.
More business guides for Ontario
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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.