I am considering selling BBQ on the weekend to supplement my income, but I am a little foggy on what my next step should be. I consistently turn out good "Q" when I cook. It might not win Grand Champion at MIM, but my friends and family are always satisfied. I don't have a commercial smoker or even a large back yard smoker. I am currently using a propane smoker that has four racks. I am not able to cook more than four slabs of ribs or eight butts at one time. The city ordinances where I live will not allow anyone to sell food outside unless they are a non-profit and even they can't do it every weekend and be in compliance. Are there any caterers available that started from scratch that might be willing to share how you were able to get started? I am not trying to get rich. I just want to earn some extra money doing something that I love to do.

Might have better luck in the Professionals Only forum. I'm sure someone there can lead you in the right direction.

Good luck!

Thank you. I was not aware of this forum. This is exactly what I'm looking for.

Thanks again.

The key is the Health Dept and the city laws. What WILL and what WON'T they allow?

You mention they won't allow anyone to sell food, and I think I know what you mean, but they HAVE have to have laws that allow it to be done. Restaurants sell? They might require you to have permits, have a commissary (a professional kitchen, not your home kitchen) or other specifics, but they have to allow food to be sold to the public.

For catering, are there any caterers in your area? You might ask them.

Next steps:

check the legal end.

Build a business plan. REALLY look into the costs, what you'll be buying, how much you might sell, establish prices and figure out your profit. You want to be able to sell and make $$$$, not give it away and a business plan helps you.

There is a lot of real good info in the pro forum with some great members who'll jump in and assist.

Best of luck!

where are u? that makes a huge difference. for total out doors cooking, you should apply for a vendor license. and then contact your local health dept for rules and regs/
charity events seem to get around the red tape somehow, so contact some of them and voluteer your services. we are doign a planned event with tons of people, and its a 80/20 deal. we get 80% of sales, and the rest goes to the charity. no agencey is goign to bugg these charity events. just an idea.