In-home personal chef

Busy families, professionals, older people, and households with dietary needs such as allergies, gluten-free or diabetic-friendly eating.

A fixed fee per cook day, often a service fee plus the cost of groceries. Regular weekly or fortnightly clients give steady income.

• Confident home cooking across several cuisines
• Menu planning and shopping
• Food safety habits
• Friendly, trustworthy with a client's home

• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether your policy covers food you prepare
• A food handler certificate is often required or expected, check your province and public health unit
• Cooking in clients' kitchens may be treated differently from selling food made at home, check with your local public health unit
• Allergies need careful handling and clear records of ingredients
• A vehicle for groceries and equipment, and winter driving conditions

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on the equipment you carry, your vehicle needs and insurance. You cook in clients' kitchens, so there is no premises to rent.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many clients you take on and how many hours you work. The lower end assumes about 8 hours a week.

Things to check: a food handler certificate is often required or expected, so ask your province and public health unit. Also check how cooking in clients' kitchens is treated, and whether your commercial general liability policy covers food you prepare.