Let Them Eat Cake
Online readers comment on “Come and Bake It,” by Robb Walsh, February 17:
Ridiculous: I’m tired of folks suing everyone. Let the buyer choose what they want to eat. If I’m fine buying chili or tamales or a hot dog or tacos from a street vendor, why can’t I? I do it in New York, New Orleans and Chicago. I also ordered a phenomenal Cajun fried turkey from Craigslist for Thanksgiving. And those are the “hazardous” foods. Not being able to buy a homemade cake or fresh vegetables is even more ridiculous. Texas has always been known for its rugged individualism. Why, exactly, is the state trying to take that away?
Fatty FatBastard
Getting it done: I applaud Robb Walsh for bringing this issue into the limelight. When I developed the plan for Kitchen Incubator, I was certain that the city would be supportive — that officials simply did not realize that this was needed or could be done. But I was appalled at the level of support that I received. The city officials and programs genuinely seemed to be saying, “We want big business, not the little guy!”
So, I ventured into this project alone and self-funded our kitchens, building them from the ground up over three years. I am in favor of cottage bakers’ bills, but we try to help everyone comply with legislation by hosting workshops like our Food Business Boot Camp. Renting our kitchens is not cost-prohibitive, and contrary to what it may seem, $1 million in liability insurance is incredibly affordable, about on par with your auto policy, and is in the best interest of the person selling the product because it protects them in the end.
People should be able to sell home-cooked food that is low-risk such as preserves and baked goods, and they will always continue to do so under the radar of the health department. Anyone who wants to start a legitimate business will need commercial equipment regardless, even if just for the equipment. What would truly help is to change the way the health department places all food operations under one umbrella, particularly regarding grease traps. A chocolatier or coffee roaster should not have to have a grease trap.
Lucrece Borrego
Get a hobby: I worry when authorities have nothing else to do but write citations for people baking cookies for a bake sale out of their home because their home kitchen isn’t up to commercial-kitchen standards.
I understand the legal ramifications and origins of these types of laws — it’s what keeps many organizations from being able to accept catered food donations and leftovers to the needy because of possible contamination, allergic reactions, etc. But even in those instances, it seems like an example of one overly litigious recipient of a donation trying to make money off of it, and screwing up the system for everyone else.
Titianterror
This is crazy! I also have small children and own and operate a legal bakery in Deer Park, Texas, called The Kake Chick Bakery. I am one of two bakeries in my area that are legal. This bill is unfair to us moms who work and pay taxes as honest business owners. Don’t use your children as an excuse just because you don’t want to shell out the “dough” to be a legal baker.
Ruby
Support each other: I like to think that if I ever did get a commercial bakery, I would love to support my local baking moms and work with them. Perhaps they would provide something that I didn’t as a baker, and I could pass customers to them.
As long as houses have kitchens and people have talent, good food is going to make it out of those kitchens and into the mouths of those willing to pay for it.
SDavis
This was a great article: My cupcakes are simple, but so yummy. I don’t have plans to open a commercial bakery — I like what I’m doing, and I know that I have a great product.
Texas is a great state where food and diversity are a given. Taking tamales out of the kitchens of so many people who make a little extra at Christmastime is crazy. And taking jams from the kitchens of those who love to make them — insane!
I bake in the wee hours of the night when my family is sleeping or the early morning after my kids are off at school. I couldn’t do that if I had to go to a licensed kitchen. I wouldn’t be at home, which is the whole point of doing it there to begin with.
Why make something so simple, so much more complicated for people? It is un-Texan!
SDavis
Follow the rules: I have friends who have spent the money to have a commercial kitchen attached to the back or side of their houses. They have gone legal so they could produce food products without having to leave their homes. So there are ways to become a legal kitchen without breaking the law. If so many are willing to spend the money to have a commercial kitchen put in, why shouldn’t everyone? Just think, come holidays, you would now have two kitchens to do all the baking in instead of just one and could host the entire family. Great bonding.
Guest
Not rocket science: My mother isn’t a “legal” bakery. Neither is my grandmother. Or my sisters. But somehow I manage to eat and enjoy their baked goods. And I’m still alive. Baking isn’t rocket science, and home-baked goods — which are fast disappearing — are superior to the crap you find in the grocery store. I always forget what “Republican” means in Texas — more laws and more of a nanny state.
Keystonelonestar
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On the Sonogram Bill
Online readers comment on “Sonogram Bill: God & Dan Patrick Get It Passed,” Hair Balls blog, by Richard Connelly, February 17:
Think about it: I find it interesting that anyone would get offended at an attempt to make sure people make informed decisions. The attempt to keep women who are considering abortion from knowing and seeing what is happening inside their bodies is dishonest and borderline evil. If 15 seconds of information is enough to sway a woman from having an abortion, did she really have that much conviction and forethought in the first place?
Joe
Another idea: If we’re going to force the doctor to, essentially, dissuade the mother from having an abortion (a decision she has likely long mulled over already), let’s also force the doctor to give her a rundown of all the help she’s not going to get to raise this child (likely as a single mom, or teenage mom, or what have you), because we’ve decided it’s much more important to save the fetuses than to make sure they survive as babies.
Bladeliger97
Right on! And let them know, too, that their governor has rejected taking federal government funds which could aid those kids, all because he’s miffed that there are strings that would require such funds to be spent on the kids this time. I think that would be a godly approach.
Fluerie23
Stupid women: What, women are stupid and need to be guided by these strong men in the Texas Legislature? I’m sorry you think women are morons, but no one takes the decision to get an abortion lightly. To think otherwise is to assume women are idiots.
H_e_x
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2011.