Brazilian pastel stall for markets and festivals

Market and festival visitors, office workers at lunchtime events, and Brazilian and Latin American communities missing a taste of home.

Price per pastel, often with a drink or combo, plus event bookings and private catering. Sales swing with event schedules and weather.

• Cooking and handling dough
• Working fast through a lunch queue
• Customer service
• Planning stock for each event

• Food handler certification and a public health unit permit, which vary by province and municipality
• Prepping in a licensed kitchen, as home kitchens often aren't allowed for selling this kind of food
• Commercial general liability insurance, which markets and festivals often require
• Hot oil and fire safety, so check fryer, propane and extinguisher rules for outdoor events
• Allergens such as gluten, dairy, egg and soy, and clear labelling
• Winter and seasonality, since outdoor events slow down in colder months
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signs and menus

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your stall and frying equipment and how many events you plan to attend. Get quotes for equipment and insurance before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on the events you attend and the queues you draw. The estimates assume at least about 12 hours a week, and outdoor events slow down in colder months.

Check food handler certification and public health unit permits, which vary by province and municipality. Prep in a licensed kitchen, as home kitchens often aren't allowed. Also check event insurance, fryer and propane fire safety, allergen labelling, and French-language rules in Quebec.