I had that happen to me for a birthday at a special place. They told my client they couldn't bring in an outside cake unless it came from a certified place. I asked someone I knew that had a certified kitchen for their kitchen license and had a copy on hand. THEY NEVER ASKED FOR IT
I think they might have asked if it had been a cake that looked like it was made at home. I would call the restaurant and say you have a cake delivery for your party( pretending to be a cake place) and ask what time it can be brought. If they wont cut it for you then you cut it yourself.
Good Luck

I think padawn71 has a good idea. Just ask for a crumbcoated cake, it won't cost as much and you get the receipt.

JUST GET A RECEIPT FROM SOMEWHERE THAT IS THE SORT OF THING I WOULD DO GO TO YOUR SUPERMARKET BUY A CHEAP CAKE $4 AND GIVE IT TO THEM. SO WHAT >

I like the idea of buying a basic cake and decorating it too! Less work, and you have an honest receipt.

padawn71, I think you've got it!!!!

I'm going to look into doing that, getting it from a bakery and just getting it iced or maybe even just crumbcoated if they will do it. Then I will have a legal receipt and get to decorate it myself.

Dollars to donuts they never ask to see anything!

THANKS!

I understand you wanting to present a cake for a gift, however, the restaurant is in the food business. What you are wanting to do is take away from their profit.They are also open to lawsuits from anyone in the room that happens to come down sick, or has an allergy to an ingredient in your cakes. In Wa state, you can not bring food in unless it is from a licensed commercial kitchen and is in original sealed containers. Not even cookies to school. In this crazy world with all of the sicko people, I can't blame them.

If your parents love the food at this place, can you just order take out and serve at your place?

If not, I think the option of buying the plain iced cake is your best, honest bet!

Let us know how it turns out and congratulations to your parents!

Maybe speak to the manager of the restuarant? I ran into the same thing last weekend...did a cute Louis Vuitton purse cake and then called the restaurant about bringing it in...however, in this case they said "Of Course!".
If the manager is a no go, then fake receipt is the way to go.

Projectqueen,
I worked with catering, hotels and restaurants for YEARS. I will tell you that No, and I repeat, No server is going to upset her client (even if it is a built in gratuity because they might get an extra tip.) Bring in your own cake, put it in a bakers box and nobody is ever going to question you! I have a friend that goes to restaurants that don't accept checks, but she always end up paying with a check!!!!!! Rules are meant to be broken. Bring your cake! I can't tell you how many times I have seen servers look the other way, including myself! Good luck and tell us how it turns out. "Matter-of-fact, if you are still worried about the servier, slide her a ten spot and ask her to bring the plates!!!!!!!!"

Why not have dessert at your house? I noticed several people suggested it, but you haven't mentioned if that is an option?

I like the idea of buying an undecorated bakery cake so you could decorate and still have a receipt. The other suggestion I have is if you don't like the price you're quoted of the bakery cake, how about making your cake, take a picture and display on table as Kitagrl suggested. Then on day of party make up little gift bags and put a slice of the cake in it for your friends and family to take home. Hopefully you could buy some of those clear containers they have at grocery store bakeries or near the salad bar for each slice of cake. This may be good too if people get too full from their dinner and won't have room for dessert.

I agree with so many of the others, certainly check with the manager/owner. You might have dealt with an underling on the phone who is just doing his/her job.

But if you can fit everyone in your home, it really would be fun to have everyone home for dessert and coffee if it doesn't work out with the restaurant.

Why not have a draw up a paper and have the restaurant manager sign it saying that the restaurant is NOT responsible for any ill effects of your homemade cake. Both of you keep a copy. If they won't do that I would just bring the cake, tell EVERYONE that the restaurant won't allow it to be eaten there but everyone is welcome back at you home for the dessert. I would also tell the restaurant how unhelpful they were with your special event and that you will be sure to let others know it!!
I feel once the cake is there and the people want to eat it and make a bit of a fuss over not being allowed to, the restaurant would change their mind. I think it is absurd that they are doing this but with this society of sue now ask questions later, you can't really blame them in some ways. That's why I say get a signed paper relinquishing them from blame for the desert only.
Good luck...I know you are so very disapointed, I would be too.

I believe the original poster mentioned way back that she didn't like the idea of all these people driving to 2 destinations for this party. They are older and may not want the hassle of driving around.

I just wanted to say that it does kind of stink that you can't even bring in your own cake. I love the recent idea of having the resaurant sign a waiver in case someone gets sick. Otherwise, getting a simple bakery cake that you can decorate is also a great alternative. Good luck...and congratulations to your parents!!!

Angie

Is there a coffee shop or someplace close to the restaurant that you could go after dinner and have your cake?

Cindy

I agree with the undecorated bakery cake. Seems like the best answer to all the issues. Besides, wouldn't it be great to bring in a beautifully decorated cake that you did yourself, knowing that you didn't have to do all the cleaning that goes along with making a cake! Well, maybe a few bowls for mixing icing and some decorating tips, but woohoo - sounds like the best of both worlds. After all, that's similar to what all the GREAT decorators do, right? Good luck to you, and let us know how everything works out.

PLEASE - the restaurant is not going to ask you for a receipt. Buy a crappy cake from Wal-Mart, put your cake in a bakery box, and bring both. Don't sweat it.

And don't waste your time talking to managers or the owner, and don't draw up your own "waiver" to try to get them to sign. None of that will work.

I once had a reception site tell me I couldn't walk through the door without a million dollar insurance policy. I promptly bought one (actually worth 2 mil) and nobody even blinked at me as I brought 100 eight-inch rounds through the doors to use as centerpieces on every table. I could have been bringing in bombs and no one would have paid any attention.

I would bet a million bucks nobody is going to be waiting to take you down for bringing that cake through the door.

Wow, thanks for all of the creative suggestions! Did I mention that you guys are GREAT!

No, although it's a good suggestion, the cake back at my house after dinner won't work. For several reasons, but mainly due to the older guests we will be having. We're having the party from 4:30-7:30 so everyone can get home before it gets too dark. (I know my Dad doesn't see too well driving at night.) A couple of the guests are going to have a 40 minute drive to the restaurant. My house is about 30-40 minutes further still. Just doesn't work. I feel it's just too much to ask 80 year olds to eat a big meal and then get back into their cars and go somewhere else before going home.

Lots of other great ideas, though. I'm sure cakepro is right. After all this, I bet no one will ask me for proof of a thing! We'll see, though.

Right now I'm leaning towards buying the cakes from a bakery filled but without any icing at all. I will have a legitimate receipt, can still make the icing for the cake and decorate it and won't have the mess/stress of baking and torting. I will save money on ingredients so that could go towards the cost of purchasing the cakes. I guess I would just ask for 2 separate cakes and then stack them myself when I get them home.

Well, either that or the dynamite idea...

You know what, I just thought of something...make a small replica of the cake you intentionally were going to do(cuz I know you already had it figured out), like a small 4 or 6 inch cake that just your parents could have.....a few days after the party or something.

I mean, it could be your way of showing them that you really appreciate them staying together this long and showing you that in this day & age, it really can be done.

congrats to your parents, u seem like a great daughter to want to do this for them , and WOWEE!!!!! look at this thread you started, you'll have to tell them about it!!!!!

mmdd, I thought of that, too. I was thinking of just making the top 6" tier for them the way I was going to do it for the party.

BUT, then we have to eat the restaurant's flat round cake for dessert, BLAGH!

Thanks, everyone, for the well-wishes for my parents. God bless them for staying together for 50 years (and actually wanting to!)

Hi:
I am so sorry that this happened to you. I just made a 3 tiers plus another cake for the party at the restaurant and didn't know that in some restaurant they don't allowe it. I would have been quiet upset too. I learned something from this situation; from now on I will ask before making a cake if it's allowed to bring in the restaurant. What a tragedy it was for you.

Have a great day.
cats28 (Tina)

I know that there have been a lot of suggestions already and you may have made up your mind, but I thought I would share my opionion as well.

Calling the OWNER of the restaurant, unless it's a chain, will MOST DEFINITELY WORK!! Anytime I or DH has ever had a problem with any type of establishment, and we got no resolution or satisfaction from the managers, etc. we just ask to speak with the owner or that they give us the owner's #...usually we get what we want right then and never have to call the owner. On occasion, though, we HAVE called or met with the owner and we received what we had wanted/requested AND THEN SOME!!! They know that an unhappy customer will tell more people about their experience with that business more than a happy customer will....they WANT you to get what you want and pay them for it!!

All you would have to say is that your parents love their restaurant and it was chosen specifically for this celebration...their 50th anniversary, which is a very important milestone. You just flatter them with compliments. Even offer to sign an addendum to the contract or waiver stating you will hold the restaurant harmless should anyone get sick. 9 times out of 10 they won't require it and let you do what you want...though I have a friend who did this and actually DID have to sign a waiver - but it let her do what she wanted to do. I have quite a few friends who are restaurant owners and they have people call them all the time about this exact issue. They have the same rules...no outside food, ie cakes, unless from another business with a certified/licensed kitchen, etc....and while it is important for them to have these safeguards in place (for themselves, as well as customers) they aren't rigid and CAN be broken, as someone else stated. Of course, the main reason is they want you to buy their goods, etc. but if it's something they don't or won't offer...they are usually very flexible.

And you never know until you ask! I would guess that you could avoid changing any plans you had for the cake with 2 phone calls - one to the restaurant, in order to speak with the manager to request the owner's telephone #; and another call directly to the owner. Who knows...if the manager asks why you need to speak with the owner & you tell him the situation...he may just make the decision to allow it right then & there to avoid you speaking w/the owner and making him/her look bad!

My motto: EVERYTHING can be done!! You've just gotta figure out how to go about it. And charging your way through with an arrogant attitude, as someone else suggested, with what you want to do (just because it might be likely that no one will check) usually doesn't work out....like a bull in a china shop...eventually something's gonna go wrong! lol It's all about being nice, calm and smoooooth. You should be the one in control, not the other way around. Good Luck!

Sorry JennT, I never meant to sound like I had an arrogant attitude or imply to manage the situation like a bull in a china shop, but since I was restaurant manager for over 20 years, I know that she really is not going to have a problem at all and I never suggested that she lie, cheat or swap products. Only meant we are usually too cheap to start with and she sould tip her server some extra cash and ask for the cake plates and nothing bad will transpire. Honestly, nobody is going to throw out a party of fifteen well behaved adults over a cake.......

shoot, one of us will write ya a receipt! (grin)

How about give the cake to another family member/friend and have them bring the cake. They can pretend they didn't know any better....

tiptop - my comment wasn't directed towards yours (or you), actually. Sorry that you felt it was.

I just got done reading your original post. This is actually what I am going through right now. I've done so much research on the design and tested different recipes all for my son's Baby Dedication and lo and behold, the dumb golf club won't let in cakes unless from a certified bakery. I live in Lancaster County, where everything is closed on Sundays, so I would have to pick up the cake myself and bring it in on Sunday anyways. I asked the chef how would he know, should I bring in a receipt, or something? He said, "Oh, I'll know if it's from a bakery just by looking at it." This infuriated me, almost like he was challenging my cake decorating skills.

I like the idea of buying a plain cake and decorating it yourself. I'll have to look in on that. My DH is worried that they'll kick us out and we'll have to take our guests to McDonald's and eat cake in the parking lot.

I would bring your own cake and if anyone asks...say that you forgot to bring the reciept.

I doubt they will even ask for it.

Hope it all works out!