What is CottageCuisine.com?
CottageCuisine.com is an online marketplace where licensed home chefs in Arizona can sell homemade foods directly to customers in compliance with state cottage food laws.
Who can sell on CottageCuisine.com?
Any home chef with a valid Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) Cottage Food License from the Arizona Department of Health Services can create a store and start selling.
How does delivery work?
Arizona law (HB 2042) requires home chefs to personally deliver TCS food orders to customers. Third-party delivery services like Uber Eats and Door Dash cannot be used.
How much does it cost to sell on the platform?
There is no cost to create and maintain a store on this site, however there is a 10% + 30 cents payment transaction fee on each sale.
How do customers find my store and products?
Customers can browse by location, food category, and seller rating. They can also follow their favorite vendors and receive updates.
Can I set my own hours and availability?
Yes! Sellers control their operating hours, menu, pricing, and delivery or pickup options through the vendor dashboard.
How do payments work?
All transactions are processed securely through the platform through Woo Commerce, ensuring safe and reliable payments for both buyers and sellers. Site fees and taxes are automatically collected at check out.
Can I promote my business through the site?
Absolutely! We encourage vendors to share their story, upload videos of their cooking process, connect social media accounts, and promote their storefronts on social media.
How is customer communication handled?
The platform includes a chat function using WhatsApp so buyers and sellers can communicate easily about orders and deliveries.
How do I sign up as a vendor?
Simply visit CottageCuisine.com, click “Sign Up”, and follow the steps to create your vendor profile. You’ll need to provide proof of your cottage food license to start selling. You do not need a business license, but you must have a valid Arizona TCS Cottage Food License to sell on the platform.
Can I sell non-food items on the site?
No, CottageCuisine.com is strictly for homemade food prepared under Arizona’s cottage food laws.
What types of food can I sell?
You can sell any foods approved under Arizona’s TCS Cottage Food Program, including baked goods, jams, sauces, salsas, meets, poultry, and prepared meals that comply with health regulations.
Can I sell refrigerated or frozen foods?
Yes, as long as they comply with time and temperature control (TCS) food safety regulations and are delivered directly to customers.
What happens if a customer cancels an order?
Each seller can set their own cancellation and refund policy, which must be clearly stated on their storefront.
Is there a rating system for vendors?
Yes! Customers can rate and review vendors, and vendors can also report issues with buyers if needed.
Do I need to pay taxes on my Cottage Cuisine sales?
No, vendors are not responsible for collecting or paying Arizona sales tax for products sold on this site.
How will CottageCuisine.com attract customers?
We are launching a major social media campaign in summer and fall 2025 to bring buyers to the platform. Contact information for 1700+ potential customers has already been collected. Vendors are also encouraged to promote their own storefronts.
Why are vendors encouraged to post a video of how their food is prepared?
Transparency. Potential buyers may feel more comfortable purchasing from you if they see how and where the food is prepared.
How should I determine my food prices?
One of the common mistakes new food entrepreneurs make is to initially set prices too low. Cottagecuisine.com can only succeed if you succeed. So make sure your prices cover all your costs—including delivery—and that you are compensated for your time. A good rule of thumb is to calculate what you think is a fair food item price–then double it. To the inexperienced this might seem greedy, but I have seen many food vendors fail because they are unwilling to set a sufficiently high price.
