Los Angeles is world-famous for its incredible food scene, with renowned restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs. But soon, some of the most exciting culinary talents in LA may be operating right out of home kitchens across the county. The LA County Board of Supervisors recently approved a new permitting process that will allow “Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations” (MEHKOs) to legally prepare and sell meals out of private residences starting in November 2024. In this article we talk about LA County Greenlights At-Home Kitchen Businesses-From Home Chef to Entrepreneur.
Opening Entrepreneurial Opportunities
This groundbreaking move opens up entrepreneurial opportunities for home chefs, sidewalk vendors, and other informal food purveyors to go professional. It also promises to inject more variety and cultural diversity into LA’s dining landscape as passionate cooks get the chance to share their culinary talents with the public.
Alignment with State Law
The new ordinance brings LA County in line with a 2018 California law that paved the way for regulated microenterprise home cooking operations across the state. While over a dozen other jurisdictions had adopted MEHKO programs since then, LA had remained off-limits for legal home food businesses until now.
Supporting Local Economies
“This ordinance aligns LA County with the state in creating a pathway for unregulated chefs to become permitted,” said Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who championed the measure. “It builds on our efforts to provide guardrails that protect residents and brick-and-mortar businesses, while helping thousands of sidewalk vendors and home cooks benefit from our local economy.”
What MEHKO Permits Allow
So what will an MEHKO permit allow in LA County? Quite a bit for aspiring culinary entrepreneurs working out of home kitchens:
- Preparing and selling meals directly to consumers, as well as other permitted food facilities
- Operating a catering business serving the public
- Selling prepackaged foods with proper labeling
- Acting as a commissary for up to two permitted compact mobile food operations (food carts)
Key Provisions and Limitations
However, there are some key provisions and limitations as well:
- Gross annual sales cap of $100,000 for standard MEHKOs ($150,000 for those operating as commissaries)
- Sales limited to 30 meals per day or 90 per week (or 80/200 if serving as a commissary)
- Required to obtain Health Department permits and pay fees ($597 application fee, $347 annual permit fee)
- Subject to annual inspections and enforcement actions to ensure food safety
Balancing Opportunity and Safety
The permitting system aims to strike a balance between opening economic opportunities and maintaining public health standards. Home cooks will need to satisfy requirements around food safety, hygiene, labeling, operations procedures, and more before earning MEHKO certification from the LA County Health Department.
Preparation for Home Cooks
Prospective operators may need to make adjustments like installing a food preparation sink, using Cal Code-approved equipment and utensils, implementing vermin control measures, and developing standard operating procedures. But for those able to meet the requirements, the permits unlock exciting new business possibilities.
Enriching LA’s Culinary Landscape
From home bakers creating Instagram-worthy custom cakes and cookies, to family recipe maestros dishing up their cultural specialties, to innovative chefs testing new concepts, LA’s culinary landscape is about to become much more diverse and accessible. And communities could benefit not just from delicious new dining options, but local economic empowerment.
Advocacy and Community Benefits
“A permitted MEHKO can contribute financial stability for families looking to start small businesses from their homes,” said Javier Cabral, a food consultant and MEHKO advocate with The COOK Alliance, in a statement. “People across Los Angeles will benefit by gaining access to safe, high-quality, affordable foods from home cooks residing in their own communities.”
Momentum of MEHKO Programs
The MEHKO program continues the momentum of municipalities green-lighting highly-regulated microenterprise home cooking operations in recent years. Riverside County launched one of California’s first such programs in 2019, with others like San Diego and Sacramento following. But bringing it to the population center of LA County could catalyze its biggest growth yet.
Addressing Informal Food Operations
Home cooks and chefs have already been operating informal food businesses in LA for ages, despite prohibitions. From unauthorized street food vendors to home bakers advertising on social media, these “underground” operations have satisfied cravings but also raised food safety concerns given the lack of oversight.
Pathway to Legitimacy
With clear regulations, permits, and inspections in place, the public can now enjoy the diversity and authenticity of home cooking enterprises, while authorities enforce standards to promote safe operating practices. It creates a pathway to legitimacy while expanding LA’s culinary scene.
Looking Forward
Expect to see neighborhood social media groups and food blogs lighting up with mouth-watering posts from newly permitted LA home cooks starting late 2024. From pupuserias firing up in Pico-Union, to Oaxacan grandmas selling tamales out of their East LA homes, to vegan bakers delivering plant-based treats across the Westside, home kitchens are poised to energize local food culture.
Unlocking Culinary Dreams
Opportunities in food have always drawn entrepreneurs to LA. Now, more culinary dreams can be unlocked from within residential neighborhoods across the county. As the ordinance states, it creates “a legal risk-reduced entry point into the culinary industry for those who may lack resources to start a traditional food facility.”
With the right preparation and permitting, the home cook can become the neighborhood chef, sharing their flavors with the community. LA’s reputation as an international food destination is about to get even richer. I sincerely hope you find this “LA County Greenlights At-Home Kitchen Businesses-From Home Chef to Entrepreneur” article helpful.