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cookieaddict
Newbie
Joined: Feb 05, 2008
Posts: 7
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 Posted:
Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:19 pm |
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I can understand your frustration. My daughter is allergic to all nuts and to those which are not classified as nuts too like Coconut and sesame seeds. Funny that she is not allergic to pecans but highly allergic to walnuts with a class 3 reaction.
Out of experience I found out that Almond extract contains almond oils in it. But almond flavoring is just an artifical flavor and doesn't contain any actual almond oils in it. This is my experience, but each person might react differently. Best to avoid it completely.
It is totally the mother's fault if she forgot to inform you the most crucial detail. Specially if it for her own child's party. It is the worst thing in my opinion to do as a mom.
Kudos to you. You were very accomodating. |
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SueW
Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 12, 2006
Posts: 699
Location: at computer surfing cake central
Birthday: Dec 19
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:42 pm |
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I was told that if you are allergic to nuts the PURE almond extract is a NO- NO but the artificial almont extract is OK. Not sure but I don't use either with daughter just in case (she is allergic to peanuts). |
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babybundt
Regular Member
Joined: May 23, 2007
Posts: 150
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:08 pm |
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although the mom should have told you about the allergy it may be wise to ask the customer if there are any nut allergies. some people are so allergic that even if you did not use nuts in the recipe or nut extract a cake baked in a kitchen that uses nuts can be toxic to someone. a spoon or mixer that came in contact with nuts and was not sanitized properly then is used to make the nut free product can have a trace of nut s or oil on it. some people with the nut allergy must have there food prepared in totally nut free environments. i am so sorry that this customer stiffed you. you do have a great attitude though. just remember what goes around-comes around............. |
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beth2027
Junior Member
Joined: May 30, 2008
Posts: 78
Location: TN
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:19 pm |
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I am paranoid (probably because I'm a diabetic and have to know everything that goes into my mouth) about giving children anything of the big "ticket" allergens, such as nuts & strawberries when I teach Sunday school.
I taught school and worked in day cares, so I know how important it is to know about allergies.
I would automatically tell someone if my child had an allergy like that, but, in the mother's defense, I didn't know that there were things like nut extracts that were in cakes until I started baking.
I had one child in a day care that was allergic to so many different things that we carried epi pens with us and her mother packed her lunch, snacks, and drinks every day. That would be so scary. |
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zoomitoons
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 29, 2006
Posts: 189
Location: Illinois
Birthday: Feb 14
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:49 pm |
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I think you handled this very well and I'm sorry you had to take a loss.
My mom is a nurse and also used to decorate cakes. I used her contract for ideas when I was writing mine. At the top on the first page is the word ALLERGY and a box, if they are allergic to anything that gets a HUGE check mark. There is an area on the contract that gets filled in with what the allergies are. |
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MessyBaker
Forum Addict
Joined: May 25, 2007
Posts: 884
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:04 am |
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Since the customer called the second cake a "replacement", that's all she should have received! I know she said she would pay for it though. Then again, that should be discussed before time for payment. Shame on her for taking advantage of you like that!
I agree with everyone else, an allergy should have been the FIRST thing discussed!
You were very professional not to cause a stink at the party. Sorry this happened to you, but thanks for sharing so we can all learn from it. |
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ctucker
Junior Member
Joined: May 22, 2008
Posts: 28
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Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:56 pm |
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I am very willing to bet that it wasnt even her daughter but an invited guest. A mother would tell you if their own child (whom you were making a cake for) had a deadly nut allergy.
I think the customer likely got a call from a concerned mom who's child was going to the party to inform her about their childs alergy and your customer wanted to "fix it" by lying to you.
Just MHO. |
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cjmommy
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 11, 2008
Posts: 27
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Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:15 am |
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AlamoSweets - I think that you were very professional and that mother was very lucky you were so kind to her.
My daughter has a severe food allergy (not to nuts, but pineapple) and the first thing out of my mouth to anyone in general is that she has this allergy. It's your responsibility as a parent to protect your child. It's unthinkable to me that this mother would not have mentioned it to you when you were preparing food for her child.
Do not worry and again, you handled this situation very professionally. |
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AlamoSweets
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jan 11, 2006
Posts: 1048
Location: San Antonio, Texas
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Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:20 am |
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| ctucker wrote: | I am very willing to bet that it wasnt even her daughter but an invited guest. A mother would tell you if their own child (whom you were making a cake for) had a deadly nut allergy.
I think the customer likely got a call from a concerned mom who's child was going to the party to inform her about their childs alergy and your customer wanted to "fix it" by lying to you.
Just MHO. |
The sad and more discouraging thing is that it WAS her child and in fact she had TWO children with nut allergies and ONE guest. That is why she made sure I made an 8 inch instead of an individual cake for her daughter. So to me that makes her even more neglectful. Thanks for all the support from everyone. I haven't heard a word from her and probably won't. I did contact her friend that was a loyal customer of mine and had recommended me to her. I forwarded her e-mail to her stating that I considered her a loyal customer and that the money didn't mean as much as my reputation and I wanted her to know what was going on. It was hard to be professional with this customer and I really would have enjoyed "going off" on her but was glad I didn't. Why sink to her level? |
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tchrmom
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 22, 2007
Posts: 402
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Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:57 pm |
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I have a peanut allergic son. I don't allow him to eat anything baked in someone else's home or a bakery for my own peace of mind. The cross-contamination risk is just too high.
It was ABSOLUTELY the mother's responsibility to tell you about all that. You were more than accommodating. As a parent of a highly allergic child, I sometimes feel like I have to make that the main thing that defines my child-- and I hate that, but I know how easy it is to forget what one child can or can't have-- especially at a party or in a classroom where there are many children and much activity. I really appreciate anyone who works so hard to keep my child (and other allergic children) safe.
Also, this complaint about BC v fondant is just ridiculous-- nothing to do with the allergies. That's just classless. |
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