Should Alberta Reduce Red Tape for Gig Chefs Using Shared Kitchens?

Official title: Gig chef economy engagement

Closed Regulations & Permits Economy & Jobs Health & Safety
Alberta gathered feedback on whether to loosen food safety rules for gig chefs—freelancers who rent commercial kitchen space for short-term cooking jobs. Right now, regulations make it hard for chefs to quickly access shared kitchens. The province wants to cut red tape without compromising food safety.

Why This Matters

Ever ordered food from a pop-up kitchen or local caterer? This affects how those businesses operate. Gig chefs could get easier access to professional kitchens, meaning more local food options. Kitchen owners could earn extra income renting out unused space.

What Could Change

Alberta may amend the Food Regulation to remove requirements seen as duplicative for shared kitchen arrangements. This could let gig chefs rent kitchen space on shorter notice. Kitchen owners could more easily rent out unused time slots.

Key Issues

  • Which food safety requirements create unnecessary barriers for gig chefs?
  • How can shared kitchen arrangements work without compromising food safety?
  • What regulations should be changed or removed to reduce red tape?

How to Participate

  1. This engagement has closed. Written submissions were accepted in March 2025, and an online survey ran from March 24 to April 21, 2025.
  2. For questions about this engagement, contact ah.publichealthengagement@gov.ab.ca.

What Happened

Feedback was gathered through written submissions in March 2025 and an online survey from March 24 to April 21, 2025. The input will inform policies related to the gig chef economy and Alberta's public health legislation, regulations and policies related to food safety.