Brazilian pastel market stall

Market and festival visitors, office workers at lunchtime, the Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking community, and people curious to try something different.

You sell each pastel at a set price, often with a drink or combo deal. Fillings and dough are cheap, so margin depends on pitch fees and how many busy trading days you can get.

• Cooking and frying to a consistent standard
• Working quickly under pressure
• Friendly customer service
• Basic stock and cost control

• Food business registration with your council, usually needed before you start trading, so check how far ahead
• Allergen information for every filling and the pastry, as customers will ask
• Hot oil and gas safety: check fire safety, extinguishers and any LPG rules for your setup
• Street trading licences or pitch permission, which vary by council and event organiser
• Public liability insurance, which most markets and events require
• Used cooking oil should go to a registered waste carrier, so check how to dispose of it

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on your gazebo or trailer, fryer and stock. Public liability insurance is usually required by markets and events, so it is worth budgeting for.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on the pitches and events you trade at and how often you trade. The estimate starts from around 12 hours of work a week.

Check food business registration with your council, usually needed before you start trading, and how far ahead to apply. Also check allergen information for every filling, street trading licences or pitch permission, and hot oil and gas safety.