Cooking skills courses in a rented kitchen

Home cooks who want to improve, people trying out a food career, and gift buyers. Some local groups and workplaces book private classes too.

Course fees per student, either per class or for a multi-week series. You can add private group bookings at a higher price per session.

• Solid professional or serious home cooking skills
• Clear teaching and demonstrating
• Organizing ingredients and class schedules

• General liability insurance, and check whether the kitchen owner requires you to be added to their policy
• Check with your county health department about food handling rules and whether students tasting food changes anything
• If you promise career training or certificates, check whether your state's vocational school or higher education board requires approval
• Allergy and knife safety: use waivers and clear safety rules
• Rental hours and ingredient costs can eat into margins if classes are not full

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on kitchen rental, equipment, insurance and ingredients. Rental hours and ingredient costs can eat into margins if classes are not full, so watch class sizes.

Check general liability insurance, and whether the kitchen owner requires you on their policy. Check with your county health department about food handling rules, and whether your state's vocational school board requires approval if you promise career training or certificates.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many classes you run, class sizes and pricing. You can start with roughly 8 hours a week, using weekend or evening sessions, and use waivers for allergy and knife safety.