(a) This chapter implements the California Retail Food Code as it applies to direct-sales caterers and catering operations, and reenacts with minor modifications prior County Code requirements for private event catering. The requirements of this chapter are applicable County-wide. Catering operations are also subject to the requirements of Chapter 1 of this division, and to the applicable requirements of the CRFC. In case of any inconsistency between a provision of this chapter and an applicable provision of the CRFC, the CRFC provision takes precedence.
(b) This chapter does not apply to the following food facility operations, which are regulated under the CRFC:
(1) Food service by a permitted temporary food facility at a community event or swap meet
(2) Food service by a mobile food facility directly from that facility
(3) Satellite food service by a permanent food facility
(4) Cottage food operation
(c) This chapter does not apply to any operation that is expressly excluded within the definition of "food facility" in subsection (c) of section 113789 of the HSC; or to the preparation of food by a cook-for-hire in a private home; or to the preparation of delivery of food that has been ordered by an individual consumer to that consumer at any location for his or her direct consumption.
(a) "Approved food preparation" means food preparation approved by the Department pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) of section 61.303, as part of a caterer's standard operating procedures for additional food preparation at an event site or host facility.
(b) "Caterer" means a catering facility operator or restaurant operator, when catering.
(c) "Catering" means the preparation of food in a permitted kitchen at one location combined with the delivery, additional approved food preparation, and service of that food at a separate location. "Catering" does not include the activities excluded in section 61.301 of this chapter.
(d) "Catering facility" and "catering operation" mean all of the facilities, equipment, utensils and activities directly used by a caterer to store, prepare, transport, finish and serve catered food or used by the caterer to store or clean catering-related utensils or equipment. Facilities and equipment rented to a caterer are part of the catering operation while in the possession of the caterer. A catering facility or catering operation is a "food facility" subject to the CRFC and this chapter when operated for direct-sales catering, and is a food facility subject to this chapter when operated for food service at a private event.
114067).
(e) "Catering host facility" means a fixed facility established and regularly operated for purposes other than food service, that meets the requirements of section 61.307 and obtains the permit required by section 61.303. Direct-sales catering food service may only occur at a permitted catering host facility that meets the requirements of section 61.307 at the time the catered food is served.
(f) "Catering vehicle" means a "transporter" as defined in HSC section 113932, when used to transport food, beverages and related food preparation and food serving equipment and utensils to or from a catered function.
(g) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Health and Quality.
(h) "Director" means the Director of Environmental Health and their designees.
(i) "Direct-sales catering" means any catering where food is sold or served to individual consumers as members of the public, i.e., all catering other than private event catering. Direct-sales catering is only allowed at a permitted catering host facility that meets the requirements of section 61.306 at the time the catered food is served.
(j) "Private event catering" means catering where food is served to a predetermined number of guests invited to an event by a sponsor or organizer. Provided that the requirements in subsection (a) of section 61.305 are met, "private event catering" also includes catering at a "social function" or "sponsored commercial function."
(k) "Social function" means a sponsored pre-arranged gathering of people, who come together based on a common interest other than the food to be served at the social function, during which catered food is served to a pre-determined maximum number of people. An example would be a catered affinity club meeting, or a catered charity benefit event. A "community event" as defined in HSC section 113755 is not a "social function." (Food service at a "community event" is regulated as provided in the CRFC.)
(l) "Sponsored commercial function" means a function other than normal daily business operations at a commercial establishment or at beer or wine tasting premises (even if locally zoned as "industrial" or "agricultural"), during which catered food is served to a predetermined maximum number of people. An example would be a special event with food service to introduce a new vehicle to potential customers at a car dealership, or a monthly meeting of a winery's "wine club" at that winery. A "community event" as defined in HSC section 113755 is not a "sponsored commercial function." (Food service at a "community event" is regulated as provided in the CRFC.)
(Amended by Ord. No. 10709 (N.S.), effective 1-15-21; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)
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