First visit to the Health Department

[ocbbqman]

Well, yesterday i took my first trip to the health department. I recieved the two page piece of paper that had the basics of what was required for a Catering Business. the usual ones I understand, such as having a Commerical kitchen that is currently inspected by the Helath Dept, or one that they can inspect. Not storing any ingredients or prepping any foods from home.

The most unusual one is "Equipment" and utensils must be sanitized and stored at the restaurant as well. Soes this mean my smoker and grills have to be kept there. Cause if so, this is gonna make it real hard to get a commercial kitchen that does not run thousands a month.

And yes, I am in California, so you I know we have crazy and sometimes stupid rules out here. I just do not want to violate any laws that would hold me liable for getting people sick.
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[Jeff T]

I`m in Nebraska... i dont know for sure but i`m guessing the "Equipment and utensils" part is talking about other cooking equipment ie:pots pans etc. & your serving utensils etc.

I would however make sure that your smoker is spotless when they do there inspection. Scrape out the grease, burn off the grates, clean the firebox too. I use a weed burner to burn off the nasty crud & spray "pam" on the grates & hit them lightly with the burner to "set" the fresh coat of "pam".
Clean after each usage & do this "mini" seasoning & your cooker will always be clean and ready for any inspection.
A clean cooker will score you some points with the HD.

[fireman_pete]

Was this the OC or Riv HD? I knew about utensil storage, but the smoker, that is the first time I have heard about that.

[ocbbqman]

This is in Riverside. After speaking with a commissary in Mira Loma, I have found some calrification, and the county states ALL equipment has to be stored at an approved location. So I am meeting with a commissary next week to review this. My name may say oc but I live in Corona, and I am basing business from here.

I am also gonna talk to a health inspector regarding more infomration on this. I will say that I am not the first BBQ person to contact this commissary regarding storage rules and requirements.

More info to come.
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[Geronimo]

[ocbbqman]

Probably not, but in the state of SUE SUE and oh yeah SUE some more, it is almost better to be safe then sorry. Also in some counties because of the food truck craze out here, inspectors have made home inspection to ensure, you are not storing things there, and with Riverside on the verge of allowing food trucks into the county, I could see them doing that also.

Like I said I will keep this updated as I journey through the land of confusion.
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