Baking
Baking is the technique of prolonged cooking of food by dry heat acting by convection, and not by radiation, normally in an oven, but also in hot ashes, or on hot stones. It is primarily used for the preparation of bread, cakes, pastries and pies, tarts, quiches, cookies and crackers. Such items are sometimes referred to as “baked goods,” and are sold at a bakery. A person who prepares baked goods as a profession is called a baker. It is also used for the preparation of baked potatoes, baked apples, baked beans, some casseroles and pasta dishes such as lasagna, and various other foods, such as the pretzel. Source: Wikipedia
Legal considerations
Before starting an baking business, check on any applicable regulations with your local authority or the associations and organisations given below. If you fail to get a required licence, you could face fines, legal action, or even forced closure of your business. Since food can affect public health, businesses that sell or serve food must have:
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A business licence (for selling perishable foods)
A health and safety permit (to ensure food is prepared hygienically)
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A zoning permit (to make sure you’re operating in an approved area)
A Certificate of Acceptability (required for selling any processed food)
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IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
Micro-businesses: A micro-business with a qualifying turnover of no more than R1 million per year has the option of a simplified tax system based on turnover. This could be advantageous for very small food businesses.
Record Keeping: It is essential for businesses to maintain proper records of all transactions, including invoices, as these are necessary for claiming input tax and for compliance purposes. Records must be kept for a minimum of 5 years.
Compliance: Food businesses, like all others, must adhere to deadlines for submissions and payments to avoid penalties.
Skills Development Levy (SDL): If a food business has a payroll exceeding R500,000 per annum, it must register and pay SDL.
Associations and Organisations
The Baker
The Baker – Official Mouthpiece of the SA Chamber of Baking.
For an up-to-date list of baking associations in South Africa…
Suppliers
Bakery Online
Suppliers list.
Pie Designs & Solutions
Your single global source for pie machines, bakery equipment and all catering equipment for profit hungry enterprises. Providing innovative solutions to the pie manufacturing, baking and catering industries. We can even assist with your packaging needs.
Macadams Baking Systems
Over the years Macadams has established itself as Africa’s largest manufacturer and supplier of bakery equipment.
Baking Supplies
Baking Supplies is owned and run by Taahir Osman Latib who is a professional chef and has been in the industry for many years.With his experience and his extremely sweet tooth he has decided to open a store with only the best products at fantastic prices in order to share his passion for baking and desserts with his customers.
Websites
Get crafty – Baking
General overview of baking and what is required in terms of time, tools and type of projects.
Publications
Businesses you can start – specialty baker
Downloadable pdf document from the Umsobomvu youth fund. this guide describes how you can start a speciality bakery business from home. it suggests the kind of training available, the costs you need to budget for, and your likely customer base and competitors. it also highlights the important laws that you must comply with, and gives you some sources of further information.
Starting a home bakery
Brief article outlining what is involved in starting a home bakery.
SA Career focus – Baking
Article describing how to turn a hobby of baking into a business.
Selling homemade cakes: Factors to consider
Individuals who plan to start taking birthday cake orders, christening cake orders, etc., or those who want to start a cake baking business, should first learn about certain factors that affect a cake business from home.
Selected books on baking and baking as a business.
Available for purchase from the website “Wantitall.co.za”
Selected books on baking.
Available for purchase from the website “Kalahari.net”
The baker magazine
The magazine’s target market the professional baking and milling sectors. It has during its ten-year history earned the respect of its reader base for its informative and trustworthy editorial. The editorial coverage is as diverse as the industries it serves, carrying information on specialised ingredients, in-depth features, e.g. Mills and Milling, Bread Plant Systems, Water Chilling, In-store Bakeries, POS, Lubrication, Packaging, Pies and Pastry, Ovens and Ancillary Equipment etc. Other topics embrace Warehousing, Transport, HACCP, Labour Issues, Insurance, Finance and International News. In short, there’s something of interest for everyone.
Training
Anchor Bakery Training Centre
To find out about courses offered go to ‘Bakery specialties > Baking courses’
Learn to Earn
Baking Training . This course is run in conjunction with the “Snowflake Bake For Profit” course.