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Hi Paula, I am also a host in Australia and I do have a certificate in food handling, having been the kitchen coordinator for our local Mt Barker branch of Meals on Wheels.
The legal problem being, it can be argued that the supply of cooked food forms part of the sales contract (particularly if you are charging an additional amount for it) and as such requires a food handling licence!
You have to appreciate Paula, it is not the food handling person that is under scrutiny here, it's the food handling premises!
Preparing a meal for friends, family, other acquaintances that are not subject to a monetary contract are treated differently to paid guests.
Paula, I would go into this very thoroughly with your local council health inspector, it is possible you may have the requirements to serve cooked food..........despite the qualifications I had, I didn't!
The problem is, anything works until it goes wrong and you get caught!
Cheers........Rob
Hi Paula, I am also a host in Australia and I do have a certificate in food handling, having been the kitchen coordinator for our local Mt Barker branch of Meals on Wheels.
The legal problem being, it can be argued that the supply of cooked food forms part of the sales contract (particularly if you are charging an additional amount for it) and as such requires a food handling licence!
You have to appreciate Paula, it is not the food handling person that is under scrutiny here, it's the food handling premises!
Preparing a meal for friends, family, other acquaintances that are not subject to a monetary contract are treated differently to paid guests.
Paula, I would go into this very thoroughly with your local council health inspector, it is possible you may have the requirements to serve cooked food..........despite the qualifications I had, I didn't!
The problem is, anything works until it goes wrong and you get caught!
Cheers........Rob
Hi Paula, I understand your desire to go that little bit extra for your guests, and that is admirable. Although you are just starting out with your hosting career I am sure you will become over time a great host and I wish you all the best.
Spending some time here on this community centre will give you a great start, you will learn a lot from most of the contributors here.
On the topic of food for guests, I do quite often share a meal with guests that we get on well with.....particularly return guests. I like to show off my cooking skills and will treat guests to a Chicken, pumpkin, asparagus and mushroom Risotto, or a Salmon, Leek and Dill Wellington.......
But it is definitely not routine and I always make a point of telling guests not to mention any hint of a supplied or shared meal in the review process. The last thing I need is being marked down for something a future guest expected, and didn't get.
Cheers........Rob
