Home cooked Indian Food -Any Takers?

[kit]

Many thanks to everyone for your very useful responses!.Penelope is right -I'm just trying this at a home scale level and not trying to set up a business.Well quite honestly did not know that one has to go by the Espoo city rules even to do this 'simple home cooking'thing.Anyway,whether it is going to be useful for my idea or not I'm taking the hygiene exam in November - just as an extra credential when I get into the job market.As Raamv pointed,I may become one of those who tried this idea without any success (atleast in the present situation)!.But,I still have time to work on it to make it a successful venture.Raamv,my scientific knowledge on foods and their therapeutic uses could be my competitive edge.This means,I could cook to people who are on specific diets /allergies etc.,
My offer is still open to those who don't bother about the rules and regulations and believe that I cook clean and healthy!(my family would eat the same food that I cook for you!) So,PM me if you want anything from idly -sambar,masala dosa to idiyappam(steamed rice noodles)!

[raamv]

Good Luck!!
nice offers and tempting..but I am too far away and generally when I crave for Southie food, I cook myself!!
In case you are interested, There is a website akin to "Samaithhu paar"
http://www.indiatastes.com/NewDirectory/Default.aspx
One of the best sites that I've come across for food from TamilNadu!!

[Cod]

to those who don't bother about the rules and regulations

um...that probably wasn't a very clever thing to say on an open internet forum in Finland

If someone could set up a Teh Tarik and Roti Canai stall (in the same way Belgian's have crepe wagons) I'ld be a dog in a butchers shop

[kit]

Thanks RaamV !Have you tried 'Arusuvai.com'?.It also has many recipes and it is in Tamil.

[Karhunkoski]

My offer is still open to those who don't bother about the rules and regulations and believe that I cook clean and healthy!(my family would eat the same food that I cook for you!)

I wonder about those people who are not bothered about the rules.

The rules are there to protect the food consumer. I certainly wouldn't eat anything prepared by an unknown person unless they held at least the basic food hygiene certificate. I hold the advanced food hygiene certificate, which is the qualification required to teach the basic certificate. In my experience, everyone thinks they know how to prepare safe food, but in reality many (most) people have large gaps in their knowledge, systems and general ways of working in a food preparation environment (those who have been cooking for years are the most difficult to educate). This can be dangerous for the consumer, and potentially costly to you. I would advise that you hold at least some basic liability insurance, especially if you intend cooking with any type of nut (even cross contamination of tools or work surfaces can be enough to cause someone a nasty reaction, or worse). The result is that you could end up in court. You also need a strict regime to prevent cross contamination of raw/cooked foodstuffs.

As basics in your kitchen, you need to have separate sinks for the hand-washing and other washing. All surfaces must be secure and in good repair, and easily cleaned/disinfected. You will need to think about temperatures. Food should be kept either very hot or very cool. If you cool it, you should cool it as quick as possible. You need to have adequate storage facilities. Do you have pets?


I understand that you're trying to help the family income along by using your skills, can't blame you really as job opportunities for immigrants aren't exactly numerous here in Finland. At the same time, I couldn't pass your thread pass without comment. Your income is important, but at the same time, so is peoples' health

[Rabs]

..... so is peoples' health

solution is hygieniapassi ( issued by Evira) but again health inspector might pay humble visits wanting to get some samples very now and then (they do at restaurants but at homes... not sure)

[kit]

To Karhunkoski and many others - My Apologies for that irresponsible writing.
Food Microbiology,Environmental Health and Hygiene and Food Preservation were my major subjects when I did my Masters.So,I do have some knowledge about cooking and preserving food.Even then,I agree I should not have put it like that.I'm working towards getting the 'Hygiene Certificate'.Thanks for pointing out my mistake.

[Karhunkoski]

(they do at restaurants but at homes... not sure)

They're a bit short on resources, so frequent visits are unlikely.

Hei Kit, if you have those qualifications, and of course you're planning to stay in Finland, learn language, etc., you could consider inspection/auditing as a career option? Good Luck!

[raamv]

To Karhunkoski and many others - My Apologies for that irresponsible writing.
Food Microbiology,Environmental Health and Hygiene and Food Preservation were my major subjects when I did my Masters.So,I do have some knowledge about cooking and preserving food.Even then,I agree I should not have put it like that.I'm working towards getting the 'Hygiene Certificate'.Thanks for pointing out my mistake.

The guy who started Peshawar, started with a Pizza place in Lauttasaari ( and still owns and sells Pakistani food there prepared fresh daily from Peshawar)
and now owns many restaurants in Espoo, and Turku and Salo.
So It IS possible to start a restaurant and make it pretty big.
The thing with South Indian Food, is that it is a Niche until People get to know it..and Then if for many people, there is the vast amount of time needed for the cooking bit.
IMHO, It would be good to start a Veggie Indian Restaurant ( Very Few Veggie restaurants around in Finland).. and promote the Health benefits of it..
Finland is going through a "Health" phase for now and so will be a good time to cash on now..
If you have a good business idea, then there are plentiful financing options available for willing entrepreneurs..
The only thing is it will take 20 hour days for a few years before you see your success!! But once successful, then it becomes pretty easy!!

[RA]

To add up on Karhunkoski's post, the hygiene certificate isn't the only the thing you'll need to be taking care of. You have to have the premises, where you make the food, approved by the authorities if you intend on doing this on a regular basis. You don't need the approval certificate if you cook for sale only once a month, but if it becomes a daily thing, then you do. Your other option is to use premises already approved to do your cooking. Your local municipality environmental health office should be able to tell you about what is required. Not trying to burst your bubble. I actually think it's a great idea, but I'd still recommend you to get all your paperwork in order, otherwise you'll just be stonewalled later. Good luck with your effort.

[kit]

Thanks to all of you for your wishes,ideas and warnings!I will keep in mind everything that you suggested.I realize that it is going to take a long time to make my 'idea' come true.I would like to know to conduct cooking classes if one has to go by the same rules and regulations ?

[raamv]

Thanks to all of you for your wishes,ideas and warnings!I will keep in mind everything that you suggested.I realize that it is going to take a long time to make my 'idea' come true.I would like to know to conduct cooking classes if one has to go by the same rules and regulations ?

If the rules were different, would you feed the cooked food to someone/something else?

[kit]

hei RaamV, I just thought it would be much simpler as there is no storing or delivering of food involved and the 'students'(who obviously would eat whatever they have cooked!)would see for themselves the hygiene/cleanliness of the cooking place

[rinso]

I would like to know to conduct cooking classes if one has to go by the same rules and regulations ?

There are probably a few extra rules. (more responsibility, extra demands for the kitchen, etc.)
If you teach people the wrong things, the problem increases.

[raamv]

hei RaamV, I just thought it would be much simpler as there is no storing or delivering of food involved and the 'students'(who obviously would eat whatever they have cooked!)would see for themselves the hygiene/cleanliness of the cooking place

*WoW*, SO you expect the people to eat the food even if it is not cooked properly??
( E.g. You probably didnt know that a Dosa is against hygiene if not cooked properly and what would they eat if they eat the fermented rice+lentil mix when not cooked properly.. It might not affect a lot of Indians..but a Finn's stomach cannot fathom a black pepper let alone a spoilt pancake. The same thing goes for idli..)
Moreover, if you ask them to include coconuts, oil based recipes, etc etc, and if you dont keep the place clean, then if you ever have someone sick, then you will be liable..and so need insurance ( of course, with hygeeni passi), clean kitchen, clean utensils, etc
Remember This is Finland and not "Udipi Vilas" !!
Your ambition might be great..but if you break the law..you re in for bigger trouble..
and if you break expectations, then you are even in bigger trouble..