Things Not To Ask/say To A Baker!

Decorating By step0nmi Updated 20 Oct 2016 , 2:28pm by ch5964

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lunawhisper0013 Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 12:01am
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A[IMG ALT=""]http://www.cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3285874/width/350/height/700[/IMG] My fellow caking friend posted this on her facebook page and I thought I would share. It made me laugh.

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hbquikcomjamesl Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 12:27am
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I've done a vegan version of my late mother's famous shortbread cookies, using Earth Balance. They had a bit of a piecrust texture to them, but they worked, and tasted almost as good as the normal ones (half butter, half margarine).

Quote: -K8memphis
. . . and perfect incredible french fries made from chick peas . . .

And why would vegan French fries have to be made from garbanzos? The last time I checked, potatoes were still considered vegetables.

:D:P:D 

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Cevamal Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 1:39am
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AProbably because garbanzo beans are tastier than potatoes!

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-K8memphis Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 12:50pm
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james -- bwuwahahaha you so funny -- i know right! the story is that we did a favor for our son's chef and he called in a favor and got a us a reservation at ubuntu, napa california but it was an incredible once in a lifetime experience -- i mean i wanted regular fries but they weren't on the menu -- it was amazing and unfortunately it's closed now --

 

cevamal -- they tasted better than potatoes but not like garbonzo beans either -- if you didn't know they were beans you'd think they were potatoes -- it was crazy and crazy good

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ugcjill Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 1:31pm
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I would never force dietary choices on people, but then again I don't view being vegan as a dietary choice. The decision to adopt a vegan diet is almost always based on the moral opposition to killing an animal for consumption and the farming of a living creature for their biological products. These values are deeply held and I have a huge amount of respect for that.

 

I have (fantastic) recipes without eggs, milk, or white sugar for any vegan requests, and totally separate pans for pareve cakes. I love my customers and wouldn't want them to ever compromise.

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Gingerlocks Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 3:05pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lunawhisper0013 


My fellow caking friend posted this on her facebook page and I thought I would share. It made me laugh.

I love your cake Memes...probably more than I should lol

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hbquikcomjamesl Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 3:44pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by -K8memphis 
 

james -- bwuwahahaha you so funny -- i know right! the story is that we did a favor for our son's chef and he called in a favor and got a us a reservation at ubuntu, napa california but it was an incredible once in a lifetime experience -- i mean i wanted regular fries but they weren't on the menu -- it was amazing and unfortunately it's closed now --

When I wrote that line reminding everybody that potatoes were, the last time I checked, vegetables, I was planning to break out my entire-series DVD of Quark last night. There was a reference in the pilot to Commander Quark having been captured in the "Vegeton Uprising" -- the Vegetons are a vegetable civilization, specifically tubers. So Quark had been captured by a band of dissident potatoes. (And we wonder why he ended up captain of a spacegoing garbage scow?)

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StephanieK Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 10:19pm
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I have a wonderful customer who eats a completely vegan diet for health reasons (if you've seen the documentary "Forks Over Knives" you'll know what I mean).  To be completely honest, I really admire her because she has a serious history of heart disease in the family.  Because of her, I have tried several vegan recipes and you'd never even know by taste that they were vegan.  She ordered a bunch of cupcakes to take to work around Christmas time, with only six being vegan, and no one could tell which the vegan ones were. 

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-K8memphis Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 10:56pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by hbquikcomjamesl 
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by -K8memphis 
 

james -- bwuwahahaha you so funny -- i know right! the story is that we did a favor for our son's chef and he called in a favor and got a us a reservation at ubuntu, napa california but it was an incredible once in a lifetime experience -- i mean i wanted regular fries but they weren't on the menu -- it was amazing and unfortunately it's closed now --

When I wrote that line reminding everybody that potatoes were, the last time I checked, vegetables, I was planning to break out my entire-series DVD of Quark last night. There was a reference in the pilot to Commander Quark having been captured in the "Vegeton Uprising" -- the Vegetons are a vegetable civilization, specifically tubers. So Quark had been captured by a band of dissident potatoes. (And we wonder why he ended up captain of a spacegoing garbage scow?)

 

somehow i missed that show -- so the vegetons would have appreciated the garbonzo bean french fries?

-- and i remind myself regularly that i'm getting my vegetables when i eat potato chips :-D 

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hbquikcomjamesl Posted 16 Sep 2014 , 11:27pm
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As usual, the online reference was inaccurate: it wasn't the Vegeton Uprising; it was the Sagittarius Rebellion, and he was captured by the Solanites. Right here on YouTube.

 

I'm not entirely sure what Vegetons eat. But I know that Vegetons do not kiss; they pollinate. Which involves lying flat, with arms and legs sticking straight up, chanting "BEE BEE BEE BEE BEE BEE . . . ," and waiting for the bee.

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MyFairDiva Posted 29 Sep 2014 , 1:24pm
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AArghhh I need to vent.

I'm a beginner in this world, mostly I have made cakes and cupcakes for close friends and some word of mouth has spread, but still, only a couple of my cakes have gone to people I had never met before with good results so far. This is not my main job yet as I work full time at an office, so I make cakes in my spare time and usually accept requests with 2 weeks in advance, so I can organize my week.

Last Thursday, my brother emailed me at work, saying one of his friends needed a cake for 30 people, for her husband's birthday, she had in mind a "Jack Daniel's cake". He sent me a picture of a label cake from a search in Google, and I thought 'well, this looks relatively easy', it's a sheet cake covered in black with the label made on top. Ok I said, just ask her about when she needs it. Turns out, it is for this Friday the 3rd. I already had another cake requested for Saturday, but said I would squeeze it in being that it was his friend asking, and I didn't want to let my brother down or make him look bad. She inquired about flavors, and I sent her a list of options and preferred combos along with my prices and my personal email so we could keep in touch.

That Thursday I heard nothing back from her. On Friday I asked my brother if he had heard anything back, and he had not. Still, off from work I went directly to buy the pan I needed for said cake, just in case.

At 6.30PM on Friday, she writes back, saying she had changed her mind about the size, she would be needing a cake to feed 20 instead of 30; she asked how big it would be, and also, how about if it was a round cake instead, how big would it be then. She said she was not sure about the fillings yet. I replied to her questions, and politely asked to confirm flavors by Sunday if she was ordering.

On Saturday by 7.30PM, she emails saying she's out of town and she lost the email with the flavor combinations (huh?) and she was still undecided... OMG at this point I was picturing her as a trouble customer. So I send her the flavors again, hoping I would get a prompt reply... but I got No-Thing.

On Sunday I assume she isn't ordering because I didn't hear back from her at all during the day, I was already busy working in advance for the other cake I have to make. I went to bed by 11PM last night and turned off my phone.

This morning I open my email and OHH Surprise! She emailed at 11.50PM last night, finally with a decision on flavors, and asking "What about the design? do you have any ideas or should I get you some?" - REALLY PEOPLE!?... >:/ This whole time I am thinking "Jack Daniel's label sheet cake, covered in black fondant with lettering on white gumpaste and accents in white royal icing" and she's picturing a design? - NO girl, I am making you the label cake of the first picture I was sent.

At this point, should I go ahead and make her cake? I've never asked but, should I just ask for a deposit of half the price?... Am I being too much of a B word? :(

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Lizzybug78 Posted 29 Sep 2014 , 1:50pm
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ANo you're not! Always get a deposit! No cash, no cake.

You need to ensure that even if you've bought ingredients/equipment you will not be out of pocket. It also galvanises people into action if they know that if a deposit is not in your hand by x date they cannot have the cake, otherwise they have no incentive to make decisions in a reasonable time, and also won't give two hoots if they cancel on you at the last minute.

Good luck :-)

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petitecat Posted 29 Sep 2014 , 1:54pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairDiva 

At this point, should I go ahead and make her cake? I've never asked but, should I just ask for a deposit of half the price?... Am I being too much of a B word? icon_sad.gif

 

If you'd like to give the lady the benefit of the doubt, simply firmly and politely tell her what kind of design you can make for her- whether its the original one or something else- and finalise it. If she is happy with it I would get full payment for it. She may be your typical customer- someone who hasn't a clue about cake making and decorating and doesn't know advanced planning is crucial, so it is up to us to make them aware of this. If you can only make her the label sheet cake, tell her so and tell her how much it is going to be. If you think you can incorporate the design into a round cake, then do so. Give her a deadline with regard the flavours too. 

 

Basically, think of what you can offer her, tell her what it is, and if she's happy with it, tell her you require full payment and when. Then in future when you get a request, tell them your terms and conditions right at the beginning (payment upfront, no changes etc) and, especially for late/last minute orders, give them a deadline :)

 

Let us know what happens with this customer in the end :) good luck x

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MyFairDiva Posted 29 Sep 2014 , 2:27pm
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AYup, indeed, I failed to present terms and conditions from email nr. 1!

So I did as advised: Confirmed flavours, stated the design I can make for her and politely requested for a deposit before 2PM today if she's decided, because preparation for her cake should start this evening "when I'm back from the office". :D

Thanks girls! ^_^

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lunawhisper0013 Posted 29 Sep 2014 , 2:35pm
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AGood for you! I learned the hard way about deposits when I waited at the designated delivery place for no-shows a couple times. I want to deal with people who take my time and effort seriously. I itemize the cost for them, give them a total and tell them I need 50% non-refundable by (insert date) or I can't put it on my books. If it's not on my books, I have a meme for that too...[IMG ALT=""]http://www.cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3289826/width/350/height/700[/IMG]

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-K8memphis Posted 29 Sep 2014 , 2:42pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lunawhisper0013 

Good for you! I learned the hard way about deposits when I waited at the designated delivery place for no-shows a couple times. I want to deal with people who take my time and effort seriously. I itemize the cost for them, give them a total and tell them I need 50% non-refundable by (insert date) or I can't put it on my books. If it's not on my books, I have a meme for that too...

 

you certainly caught on well  :lol: rahhr

 

bake/cake softly and carry a big stick

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cak3m0m Posted 1 Oct 2014 , 5:43am
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No one even looked at the cake?! Very strange indeed as I have never had this happen before. I dropped off a tye dye cake for a birthday party and everyone was hanging out by the pool. One person told me to put it on the kitchen counter and then walked off. No one looked at the cake. I could have put anything in that cake box LOL. No follow up response about whether they enjoyed it or not either. Has this ever happened to anyone?

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julia1812 Posted 1 Oct 2014 , 1:40pm
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AMy best so far was when I picked up the phone one afternoon and a young lady calls me, asking if I could make a wedding cake for her mother. She has a picture of what she wants. Me: Eeeh...possibly yes. When is the wedding? She: Tomorrow! I swear! No more words...still.

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petitecat Posted 1 Oct 2014 , 2:20pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cak3m0m 
 

No one even looked at the cake?! Very strange indeed as I have never had this happen before. I dropped off a tye dye cake for a birthday party and everyone was hanging out by the pool. One person told me to put it on the kitchen counter and then walked off. No one looked at the cake. I could have put anything in that cake box LOL. No follow up response about whether they enjoyed it or not either. Has this ever happened to anyone?

 

Which one? That no one looks at the cake you deliver or that no-one gives feedback? So far every customer I've delivered to has looked at the cake, and only one has ever given me feedback (positive, phew!!). When it comes to feedback, you are not alone. I didn't give my baker feedback when they made my wedding cake, nor the florist, the room decorator, not the hotel where the ceremony and reception was held. I just didn't think to do it even though everything for me was great. It wasn't anything personal, just one of those things :)

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by julia1812 

My best so far was when I picked up the phone one afternoon and a young lady calls me, asking if I could make a wedding cake for her mother. She has a picture of what she wants. Me: Eeeh...possibly yes. When is the wedding? She: Tomorrow!
I swear! No more words...still.

8O

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MyFairDiva Posted 5 Oct 2014 , 8:20pm
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Just to update, the Jack Daniel's cake was a success! She even sent me pictures of the place and the cake cut, said: "We all loved it! Even my mother and she's really picky!"

That's definitely something to say to a baker me thinks ;)

 

 

 

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-K8memphis Posted 5 Oct 2014 , 8:49pm
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beautifully done, myfairdiva,  

 

signed, a tennesean :-D

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MBalaska Posted 5 Oct 2014 , 11:02pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairDiva 
 

Just to update, the Jack Daniel's cake was a success!

 

@MyFairDiva You're right, that was very nice of her to say about this fab cake.!

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MyFairDiva Posted 6 Oct 2014 , 1:00pm
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AThanks girls ^_^!!

Hated the fact in her pictures it looks sagging, it wasn't when I gave it to her but oh well... told her to not put it in the fridge! The good thing is they liked it :) - And I could finally get some rest during Sunday.

Happy week y'all! Love from Santiago de Chile.

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ellavanilla Posted 21 Oct 2014 , 4:51pm
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"I'll go with your price and renegotiate if it's too much."

 

 

you can try....

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jgifford Posted 21 Oct 2014 , 8:29pm
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We serve cake as one dessert option in our restaurant.  I don't have time to decorate them, but they have super-smooth buttercream.

 

The first time I served Salted Caramel Cake, a customer called me over to his table.  In a very low whisper, he said "There's little tiny pieces of broken glass all over this cake."

 

Really. *snicker*

 

1.  Would I really serve cake with broken glass on it?

 

2.  What part of "SALTED Caramel" did you not understand?

 

Sometimes you just want to reach out and slap their Reset button.

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Pastrybaglady Posted 21 Oct 2014 , 8:35pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by jgifford 

 

The first time I served Salted Caramel Cake, a customer called me over to his table.  In a very low whisper, he said "There's little tiny pieces of broken glass all over this cake."

 

:duh: !!!

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Cevamal Posted 21 Oct 2014 , 11:26pm
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AAt least he tried to be discreet! :D

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ellavanilla Posted 22 Oct 2014 , 2:53pm
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with the proliferation of prepackaged salted caramel food products in the grocery store, I do believe that it has come to mean SALTY caramel. I don't think most people get that it's supposed to be this unique taste and texture experience. 

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MimiFix Posted 22 Oct 2014 , 3:44pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ellavanilla 
 

with the proliferation of prepackaged salted caramel food products in the grocery store, I do believe that it has come to mean SALTY caramel. I don't think most people get that it's supposed to be this unique taste and texture experience. 

 

I agree. As with most things, salted caramel standards have changed as more people become aware of their ability to adapt a fad to their financial gain. The bakers' inside joke now is that it's so easy to change a product name when they make a recipe mistake and add too much salt.

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ellavanilla Posted 22 Oct 2014 , 6:10pm
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this isn't strictly a "not to say" but i'm anxious and gotta get it off my chest!

 

talked to a woman about a cake for her rehearsal dinner last month. Got into servings and design. Agreed on the size of the cake and the design. 

Her last email to me was about delivery and confirmation. I replied that I needed to know what flavor cake  she wanted and when and where she

wanted it delivered. I never heard back from her. 

 

Now it's 3 days from the event, still no word of confirmation. I'm so tense! My last email to her emphasized that if i don't hear from her today, no cake, but

you KNOW how people can be. Of course I don't have her phone number either, because I hadn't gotten to actually writing up the order. GRRRRR. 

 

If she shows up for a cake on Friday I'm gonna feel really badly about it. 

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