AHey guys! So I made a cake last week Thursday for a customer. She had to postpone her event for the next week (which would be this Saturday). I left the cake covered in buttercream in a container sitting on my counter. Do you guys think it would taste fine for that long??

And also, how long can I leave a cake covered in Fondant out on the counter? I have to make another cake for this Saturday and wanted to bake and cover with fondant today (Wednesday) do you guys think it would be fine?

In my opinion, for the cake that is a week old. NO, not now, NEVER. Would you want to buy a cake that is a week old. If you knew it would not be used for another week you should have froze it. I would not buy a cake if I knew it was a week old and I would not seel a cake that old.

JMO

According to my Health Department inspector, 5 days.

I think most cakes taste best on day 4 or 5, however, keeping it out 9 days before it's needed (especially for a customer) is excessive -- I would have frozen it.  If your container is airtight, it could keep too much moisture in causing it to smell or taste moldy.  Most cakes will start to grow mold in about 2 weeks, or sooner when airtight.

Out for 3 days is no problem if not using perishable fillings.

A lot depends on what the weather is in your area.  I agree a cake some 7-9  days old is NOT going to taste very good.  It could even be moldy already!  If you had at least put it in the frig or fzr it'd be just fine, but on the counter not really :(

........According to my Health Department inspector, 5 days..........

I know health inspector opinions vary all over the place but this should be taken into consideration.

And whatever you do, don't leave it out in the rain. Especially in MacArthur Park. (couldn't resist)

For next time...not your problem that a customer changed his/her plans.  Have them get it as agreed to in your contract.  They can choose to refrigerate or freeze or leave on the counter or eat that day and re-order, their call.