A Thread For All Uk Bakers!!

Decorating By hailinguk Updated 25 Aug 2017 , 10:29am by Magic Mouthfuls

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Relznik Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 1:11pm
post #61 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngfcake

Hello everyone!

I'm also in the UK!

Have any of you bought an Agbay leveler? If so, did you have to pay any custom tax?

I really want to buy one, but it is expensive and I don't know how much it would be consitering the P&P and the taxes.

Thanks!




I've got an Agbay. I actually had it delivered to someone who was in the US and they brought it over with them! By far the easiest way to do it! icon_biggrin.gif However, other people I know have been charged tax on it.

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Sabz Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 1:16pm
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Why can't a normal leveller be used? Now I feel like I shouldn't have bought the one I have. Is there something special about the 'Agbay'?

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bashini Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 1:17pm
post #63 of 25877

Like I said before in my previos post, I like cova paste. Once I did make Lidy Smith's sugarpaste and Marshmellow fondant. Its very hard work and Marshmellow fondant is too sweet for me.

My friend made Michele Foster's Fondant and it tasted so yummy. I prefer it more than marshmellow fondant.

I've got an Agbay too! And I was one of the lucky ones who didn't get charged the tax! icon_smile.gif

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Relznik Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 1:17pm
post #64 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by fairycakes1972

The cupcakes I sell are muffin sized, and I usually have 5 or 6 flavours per market, depending on whether or not I have cookies/sweets etc.




The coffee cupcakes, in particular, are to die for!!! icon_biggrin.gif

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bashini Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 1:20pm
post #65 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sabz

Why can't a normal leveller be used? Now I feel like I shouldn't have bought the one I have. Is there something special about the 'Agbay'?




It is so much easier! Have you seen their video about it? If not here it is,

http://www.agbayproducts.com/

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Relznik Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 1:22pm
post #66 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sabz

Why can't a normal leveller be used? Now I feel like I shouldn't have bought the one I have.




Oh, of course you can use a normal leveller. If you're getting on OK with it, there's no reason not to use it. icon_smile.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sabz

Is there something special about the 'Agbay'?




Just think basic Skoda -vs- Rolls Royce icon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gif


Suzanne x

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Sabz Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 1:25pm
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Wow Just seen that clip, showing how the Agbay works. Now I'm a believer!

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fairycakes1972 Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 3:56pm
post #68 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustDarling

Hi J-Fo

Yes you can easily get fondant from supermarkets and cake decorating shops and the gumpaste for either modelling or flower making can be bought from cake decorating shops. Good luck I hope the cake goes well!

Can anyone help me? I need some lilac coloured marshmallows, do these exist?

Thanks
Claire




Claire, I've never seen lilac marshmallows in the shops, but you can make marshmallow fairly easily.

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Sabz Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 8:46pm
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I just found out about the SPS system. Does anyone know if I can get hold of the stuff from UK?

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bashini Posted 2 Apr 2009 , 9:07pm
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Hi, you can check with Sugarshack. Here is the link for you,

http://www.sugarshack.co.uk/index.html

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fairycakes1972 Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 5:28am
post #71 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by Relznik

Quote:
Originally Posted by fairycakes1972

The cupcakes I sell are muffin sized, and I usually have 5 or 6 flavours per market, depending on whether or not I have cookies/sweets etc.



The coffee cupcakes, in particular, are to die for!!! icon_biggrin.gif




Didn't see this last night, Thank you icon_redface.gificon_biggrin.gif

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fairycakes1972 Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 5:29am
post #72 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sabz

I just found out about the SPS system. Does anyone know if I can get hold of the stuff from UK?




I'm too nosey for my own good icon_lol.gif , but what's the SPS System??

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Sabz Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 8:50am
post #73 of 25877

Single Plate Seperator System. I haven't fully understood it yet, will need to read the article a couple of times to understand.
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-603925.html

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CakeChaos Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 11:15am
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Hi all

I have been asked for a quote for 90 cupcakes for a joint 40th birthday celebration - I am usually a caker and am still trying to get my head around pricing them. This has got me stumped. Is anyone willing to share prices or give me an idea of basic pricing which I can work from.

I don't know yet whether they will be buttercream or fondant or even how they will be decorated.

This will be my first 'official enquiry' as I have just registered as a business, and I want to try to get the balance right. I don't want to sell myself short as I know how much work must be involved but I also don't want to give a ridiculously high quote.

I am in yorkshire if that helps.

Thanks

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Relznik Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 11:26am
post #75 of 25877

My bare minimum would be £2.50 each.

Depending on how they want them decorated, it goes up from there.

Hope this helps.

Suzanne x

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bashini Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 11:48am
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Totaly agree with Relznik. With a minimum of decorations, it has to start from £2.50. You must find out what the decorations they want on the cupcakes. If they want roses or something like that, you have to make them and those take time.

HTH. Good Luck! icon_smile.gifthumbs_up.gif

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CakeChaos Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 12:07pm
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Thanks Relznik, Bashini - I kind of had his price in mind when I first got the enquiry but it was just a 'off the top of my head' kind of price, and I thought that it might be too much. I don't find it easy trying to put a price on either my skill or my time.

Do you think there is a huge difference to the prices that you can charge (or people expect to pay) in or near London in comparison to Yorkshire or other areas? I can just imagine what some people I know would say 'What £2.50 just for a bun' icon_lol.gif

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Sabz Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 4:56pm
post #78 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by CakeChaos

I can just imagine what some people I know would say 'What £2.50 just for a bun' icon_lol.gif




Lol, thats exactly something my family would say! I'm sorry CakeChaos, I can't help you with that. But I've got a question of my own. I needed to ask before I'd forget it!

What is corn syrup for us? And is there a substitute for Viva?

I'm starting to wish I was in America. Everything seems so readily available for them, and obviously they don't have to keep searching google for substitutes or definitions!

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Sabz Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 4:59pm
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I just noticed I'm a Junior Member now...Yaaaay! (I hate being a Newbie) icon_biggrin.gif

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saracupcake Posted 3 Apr 2009 , 6:30pm
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Hi, I only just found this today, I'm in Stirling Central Scotland.

I just set up my business in January and it's growing every month, I've a couple of regular home baking jobs which are working out really well and my cake orders are increasing.

I booked my first wedding cake today which has me really excited.

I think this post is a brilliant idea!

Sara

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jdconcc Posted 4 Apr 2009 , 10:30am
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Hi Saracupcake

Welcome to the most addictive website in the world icon_smile.gif xxx

Hi Cake Chaos,

Sorry I've been meaning to reply for a while and kept getting sidetracked. Yes £2.50 is defintely a bare minimum even for up here but that doesn't mean they won't be shocked. I had a bad experience yesterday that reminded me how little our 'artwork' can be valued by those without any appreciation of what we do.

Rant coming ... are you ready...

I take my dd to a toddler group and have been going for 5 years now as went with the oldest one too, so I know the leaders pretty well and have done the odd cake for them on a cost only basis as it's a charity. However, nowit's progressed and they are asking me for more cakes, so last week I was asked to do one for one of the organisers grand daughters (no money was discussed) and I thought to myself well ok but I might have to start being a bit busy in the future as it's pretty hard to jusify this and run a business. So we decided on the design and then a few days later her mum asked for extra cookies or cupcakes to go with it (about 25) I warned her they would be quite plainly decorated but pretty. Sorry probably far too much detail... well anyway I took them in on Friday and the organiser just sort of looked at me and said (as if I should have known) oh she's poorly they've cancelled the party!!! NO ONE TOLD ME... and it turns out they've know a few days. But to add insult to injury there was no comment on the cake and when she finally asked me how much she owed me and I explained I needed £20 to cover the costs of a 8" cake and decoration and 25 buttercream iced cupcakes she nearly died. ARGHH now I feel mean and let down I guess all I really wanted was a a comliment on the cake and a thanks (I only too £10 in the end I felt so bad)

The day got worse as my dd scratched a little boy and I ended up leaving the group after about ten mins in tears... hormones?

Sorry rant over, just had to get it out of my system. Thanks for listening icon_redface.gif

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Relznik Posted 4 Apr 2009 , 10:56am
post #82 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustDarling

... now I feel mean and let down I guess all I really wanted was a a comliment on the cake and a thanks (I only too £10 in the end I felt so bad)




icon_eek.gificon_eek.gificon_eek.gif

If the party was cancelled and no-one thought to let you know, I'd have taken the full amount.

PLEASE promise you'll never make another cake or cookie for these people again.

And, to be honest, £20 would barely have covered all your costs. Taking only £10 means you'll be out of pocket.

{{hugs}}

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bashini Posted 4 Apr 2009 , 11:10am
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Hi JustDarling, sorry that happened to you! Like Relznik mentioned above, I would have charged the full amount. Once I got a call from a Party Organizer who wanted a quotation for 100 cupcakes. She said she will be providing me the decorations. So I said it will be £2.50 each. After that I didn't hear from her till today!!!!!!

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jdconcc Posted 4 Apr 2009 , 12:43pm
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Thanks for that, I just needed a good rant and yes I've learnt my lesson, real orders only, the kind that get a quote and sign a contract. I normally charge about £45 for that size cake and the cupcakes are £2.50 each so yep not even costs covered, but I'm just glad it's over now.

I've just had a massage my kids (well dh) got me for mother's day and am nicely chilled out off to do some sketches now for my REAL orders icon_smile.gif

Thanks again for the hugs and sympathy I love this site.

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MissBaritone Posted 4 Apr 2009 , 12:58pm
post #85 of 25877
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sabz

Quote:
Originally Posted by CakeChaos

I can just imagine what some people I know would say 'What £2.50 just for a bun' icon_lol.gif



Lol, thats exactly something my family would say! I'm sorry CakeChaos, I can't help you with that. But I've got a question of my own. I needed to ask before I'd forget it!

What is corn syrup for us? And is there a substitute for Viva?

I'm starting to wish I was in America. Everything seems so readily available for them, and obviously they don't have to keep searching google for substitutes or definitions!




Corn syrup is golden syrup. I've never found a substitute for viva.

I am in the process of registering and our council want to come out and look at my kitchen before I can even register so it does vary from council to council.

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Relznik Posted 4 Apr 2009 , 1:46pm
post #86 of 25877

You can use glucose syrup for corn syrup.

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fairycakes1972 Posted 5 Apr 2009 , 11:57am
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You're probably gonna shout at me, but I charge £1.50 for a cupcake with a buttercream swirl on top, and start from £2.50 for a fondant iced one! Some peope even baulk at that price!

You can buy corn syrup over here from American food suppliers.

ooh and I would have taken the money too!

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olsjhs Posted 7 Apr 2009 , 4:15pm
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ooo well hello fellow UKers.....

I know this is in the cupcake section but I hope I can still join in with my Native UKers (and fellow Yorkshire folk!) for hints, tips & Ideas as I also find it so confusing with all the weird recipes and things they use that I just dont know what they are!!!

Im going to make some cup cakes to go with my Sons bday cake on Sunday, Im just wanting to do a basic vanilla or chocolate sponge (Im gonna try the recipes you lovely ladies posted on page 1) and then Im wanting to do some with green buttercream & Some with Red (the cake is Mickey mouse club house so will go well I think) but Im wanting the butter cream to be swirl like.....like when you get a Mr Whippy icecream lol, what tip do I need for this?? I've never done them before, am I being far to ambitious??

I started this as I made my sons christening cake myself and got so many compliments but even more so REALLY REALLY enjoyed doing it....if only Id figured this out 10 yrs ago at school!! Since then its just been friends and family and I never charged even for the cost of ingredients, except the last request I got was a friend of a Friend so I charged her £15 and she came back saying she will happily pay more than double that next year and will recommend me to everyone she speaks to lol so I took that as a really big compliment.

I really really want to do it as a business, although I know I will have to work part time as well to keep the wages topped up as I need to keep a "full time" wage coming in to the house and I don't think I will ever be well enough established to do that, can I ask a very rude question, does anyone know what a full time pro cake maker (from home not a shop) can expect to earn per year? This is the only thing stopping me from going for it to be honest....that and the fact I have no idea how to get myself out there....is word of mouth the way to go until I get my orders up, then establish a proper business?

sorry for the thread HiJack, Im so confused lol - I hope I dont kill the thread icon_lol.gif

you are all wicked and have read some great tips in this thread....and as for those cupcakes....yummy I was drooling at the site of them!!
thumbs_up.gif

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bashini Posted 7 Apr 2009 , 5:22pm
post #89 of 25877

Hi, there is a CC member, Kelly75, she does amazing cupcakes. For her buttercream swirls, she uses wilton 1M tip.

And I think the best way to start your business is word of mouth. And if your son is going to school or playgroup, and when they have fund raising events, you can donate a cake. I do things like this all the time.

I'm making cakes from home and don't do any other work. I think if you can get few wedding cakes a month, and few b'day cakes, then I think you should be alright.

I'm still working on promoting wedding cakes though. icon_smile.gif

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olsjhs Posted 7 Apr 2009 , 5:50pm
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thanks bashini, ill try and find a wilton 1m tip by Fri so I can practice & Ill search for Kelly and have a look at her amazing cup cakes.

Infact you helped me once before with how to keep my balloons on wire, you gave me a great tip there thanks, oh and I use CMC type powder now and make my things 24 huors before so its working lots better thank you.

I agree I think that wedding cakes are the way to go, I have seen basics starting at 300ish which is you get 3 of them and a few birthdays is great.....I would need to be pulling in a minimum of £1200 per month AFTER tax to do it full time, which is why I thought do part time work and then hopefully eventually make enough cakes to make up the difference.....I guess i need more practice then start with the weddings lol.

Good idea about the preschool, my son is to young yet BUT my nephew is starting in Sept so i'll tell SIL to tell me of all fates/evens and ill start donating cakes.....cracking idea, never thought of it, thanks for that.

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