b'The Cook Next DoorCottage food operators innovate from homeBY ILYSSE RIMALOVSKIPHOTOS BY JULIA MALOOF VERDEROSAkitchens directly to their communities. The COVID lockdown proved to be a fruitful period of innovation at home. Many cot-tage bakers trace their business origins to having that extra time in their kitchens, cooking first for family, then for friends and neighbors. The gift of sourdough starter catalyzed many hobbyist bakers who rose to the challenge and became obsessed.Since then, more than 1,500 cottage food businesses have been born in New Jersey. Maybe you have already indulged in gourmet cereal treats, warm rosemary and salt bagels or a giant chocolate chip cookie prepared down the street. The licenses only permit foods that do not need time or temperature controls to be safe for consumption. Maplewood Health Officer Candice Davenport says her priority is to pro-tect the well-being of the community, preventing the possibility of foodborne illness. It is not her job to go from house to house in search of underground food producers. However, she says, Once we know about them, we are obligated to give the best advice possible. In New Jersey, it is illegal to transact business as a home-based caterer, cooking instruc-tor, supper club, micro-restaurant, or to sell dairy-based frosting on a cake. Such businesses P erhaps youve been perfecting loaves of crustyrequire proper licensure and must use a commercial space, of which there are several nearby.Garden State Kitchen is a full-service 24-hour commercial facility founded by Kris Ohleth in the Valley Arts District of Orange (featured in Matters Magazine 2022 Hearth + Home sourdough in your home oven, wondering howissue). The Maplewood Jewish Center also houses a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen for to turn your hobby into a lucrative side hustle.strictly kosher operations.Or youre already selling your famous barbecuedGroup spaces such as the Co-Lab at South Orange are also invaluable to entrepreneurs ribs from your backyard smoker without know- such as Anne Mandell. As a founding member, she gained an instant storefront for her Ce-ing it is against the law. real Dreams, co-marketing visibility, and access to state programs and initiatives typically When New Jersey became the last state in thereserved for brick-and-mortar businesses. country to legalize home-based cottage food businesses in 2021,Our mission is to support businesses at any stage of their journey, says Co-Lab manager an entrepreneurial cohort of home-based cooks could finally applyNicole Kleinbaum. That Anne is here shows you dont need a big commercial space in order for permits to sell certain foods (largely baked goods) made in theirto be supported by the local community. 12/ matters magazine / spring 2024'