micro kitchenINC.

SMALL KITCHENS. BIG POSSIBILITIES.

From home kitchen to registered food business.

A supported pathway for Melbourne’s home cooks to build safe, sustainable food businesses.

Express your interest Explore our program

Phase One in development · Darebin & greater Melbourne

Illustration of two home cooks preparing fresh vegetables together
Your skills. Your business.

Your first steps towards
a food business.

  1. 01Understand
    the requirements
  2. 02Plan your
    business
  3. 03Prepare
    to launch

LOCAL SKILLS. REAL POTENTIAL.

Food business support
for local cooks.

For experienced cooks and people taking their first business steps. We welcome people from all backgrounds, including those facing barriers to employment.

Home cooks

Explore how your cooking skills could become a small food business.

Former chefs

Bring your experience to a way of working that fits your life.

Culturally diverse entrepreneurs

Share your food traditions and build a business on your terms.

THE PHASE ONE PATHWAY

Business planning,
council preparation
and mentoring.

We’re developing a program that connects business planning, council preparation and ongoing mentoring. We are seeking funding to deliver the full program.

See the full program
  1. 01

    Explore and plan

    Develop your idea, business plan and financial forecasts with guidance.

  2. 02

    Prepare to operate

    Understand council applications, food safety and suitable training.

  3. 03

    Prepare to launch

    Plan pricing, cash flow, records and manageable day-to-day operations.

  4. 04

    Develop your business

    Review progress and work through business decisions with ongoing mentoring.

FOOD BUSINESS BASICS

Understand Victorian
food business classes.

Your council confirms the classification and requirements for your food activities.

Class2

Potentially hazardous food

Class3A

Specific food activities

Class3

Lower-risk activities

Class4

Low-risk activities

A starting point, not an assessment. Class 1 and other requirements may also be relevant.

Explore food safety guidance

CARE GOES INTO EVERY STEP

Good food.
Good practice.
From day one.

Food safety is part of preparing to trade, whatever the size of your kitchen.

Read the guidance ↗

Food safety and
business requirements.

Food safety & training

Your activities determine the training and food safety arrangements you need. Ask your council which requirements apply, including any food safety supervisor and recordkeeping obligations.

FSANZ: food safety management tools

Allergens & labelling

Know your ingredients, manage cross-contact and provide accurate allergen information. Packaging and the way you sell influence the labelling requirements.

FSANZ: allergen labelling

Insurance & business setup

Consider your business structure, records and insurance needs. Discuss public and product liability, home-business exclusions and delivery activities with a suitable insurer or adviser.

business.gov.au: business insurance

Council & planning requirements

Check food premises and planning requirements early, before investing in equipment or renovations. Delivery and home collection arrangements also need to suit your premises and local rules.

Business Victoria: home-based business requirements

A SUSTAINABLE WAY TO WORK

A business that fits your life.

Small-batch production

Plan manageable quantities, pre-orders and a pace you can sustain. Include your time in your pricing and leave room for life outside the kitchen.

Neighbourhood-aware operations

Consider deliveries, storage, waste and customer traffic alongside council requirements. Delivery-first is a preference, not a substitute for approvals.

Partner with local
food entrepreneurs.

We welcome conversations with councils, community organisations and potential supporters.

Talk to us

THE KITCHEN NOTEBOOK

Guides to starting
a food business.

All guides

Business planning · 4 min read

Why your food business needs a business plan and financial forecasts

Before you invest in your food business, understand the customers, costs and sales it needs to work. A business plan and financial forecasts help you make that decision.

Updated 17 October 2026

Read the guide ↗

A FEW COMMON QUESTIONS

Questions about starting
a home food business.

More questions, answered

Can I start selling from home straight away?

First check the food and planning requirements for your premises and activities with your council. A home kitchen is not automatically approved for commercial food preparation.

Is the Micro Kitchen program running yet?

We’re developing Phase One. Dates, fees and delivery arrangements are not yet confirmed. An expression of interest helps us understand who wants to be involved.

Is this a food delivery marketplace?

Phase One focuses on preparing micro food businesses. Phase Two is planned to include an online marketplace to help program participants promote and sell their products to their local communities.

EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST

Express interest in
Micro Kitchen.

Tell us about your food business idea, a partnership or a referral.

Open enquiry form

An enquiry starts a conversation. Program places and delivery arrangements are subject to confirmation.