Hello everyone. I have two questions. What is considered the proper attire when you are perorming cutting service at a wedding? Do you dress up or wear one of those white chef outfits? Second question - does anyone know where I can get a cake comb - not one of the plastic triangle things but the kind with a handle and long tines? I tried ebay and only found one auction tonight that had two but they were mixed in with some other utensils. I would like a nice new one to serve cake with. I saw a tutorial on CC that showed a lady using one for that purpose and it worked wonderfully.

A nicely starched apron? If you have a logo have that put on it discreetly then wear it over a nice outfit.

I have one of those cake combs and I love it. I have had it for almost 27 years. I'm sorry I can not remember where I purchased it, but I think it was at a kitchen store. I'm talking about the kitchen store with high end kitchen gadgets and appliances. I am addicted to gadgets for kitchens. As far as what to wear, I have only served if I have been invited to the wedding, so I do not know what the proper etiquette is for serving as a worker/baker.

I would wear a chef coat.
I have seen that cake cutting thing at williams sonoma. For soft cakes.

I was looking at it wondering what it was. My friend asked and they said it was for cutting cake. They do not have it online but I did see it in there store last week. HTH!

Thanks for your input and for answering my questions. I am off to WS tomorrow!!!!!!

Just found out that the tool I was searching for is called a "cake breaker". Found a bunch of them on ebay!!!!

I agree... wear the chef coat... Bring a half-apron along or at least a roll of paper towels so you can wipe the cutting utensil or your hands off every once in a while..

I also would suggest using cutting utensils you're used to working with. A long serrated (bread) knife is what I usually use and it works great. One of the caterers back home uses something that resembles a samuri sword for their cuttings Above all else, bring it as a backup!!

The company that we've used MANY times for things like this is "Replacements Ltd." they're AWESOME and you can match just about anything you can imagine up (you can get it to match your silverware set if you want).. www.replacementsltd.com is their website and they're GREAT on the customer service (they are also one of those companies that likes the phone more than the internet for some things).. I've seen tons of those cutters advertised on there..

If you put up google and the cake breaker there are some beauties. What o earth are they for though? They do look great for straightening the hair!

I'm not sure about the chef coat....whenever I would serve for social events, including weddings, it was always a NICE pair of black slacks, white button down shirt and an apron with black shoes.

I do both catering and cakes. I always wear nice black slacks, white shirt, lightweight black blazer & black shoes. I wear a white apron, monogrammed with my logo over this while I'm setting up, then remove apron once event has started.

If I'm not a Chef, I would not wear a chef coat, when a nice, clean apron with logo.

White shirt, black pants and comfy shoes if you're not part of the party..

business attire if you are.

Whatever you decide to wear... Plan for it to get messy! That's why I suggested the chef's coat because it's something you can take off as soon as you're done cutting because the shirt you wear under it will still look like a professional. It's like giving a little boy a bath... you often ask the question "how did THAT get THERE????" for where all the frosting and cake goes because cutting cake is NOT the cleanest job on earth but you do need to be able to look clean before and after you're done.

I also vote for the chef's jacket. Aside from it protecting your clothes, the guests will know you did the cake even if you are not standing next to it. Might be a good way to drum up more business.

LeeAnn- A cake breaker is used to cut and serve Angel Food or other foam cakes. If you are not very careful with a serrated knife, you will wind up squishing a foam cake- and drive the baker of the cake to screaming hysterics. (OK- so I overreact, but I am very proud of my Golden Sponge Cake. Which reminds me that I need to get a new breaker-my old one disappeared when I remodeled the kitchen.)

There is a great story by Jacques Torres in the book "How I Learned to Cook" (it's chapters each written by a different chef) about going into a uppety place on a bet with a buddy, never having worked in ANY restaurant before and getting told "be back in an hour in uniform" (chef's jacket/pants).. Everyone has to start somewhere...

The thing is, people know you're some-how tied in with the food in the jacket. If you're not with the caterer they usually know because you aren't wearing the same thing as the caterer. I've been in competitions and the first thing I was told once I maneuvered my way through the crowd and security "Your entry ticket is your jacket"(I had my jacket in the car "just in case") so in order to attend, I had to have the jacket on to get to the places I needed to be for the competition even though I'm not trained as a chef (I have studied for years at the Culinary Institute of Hard Knocks if that's any idea).

The jacket also is something that if you need to get into the kitchen to just simply wash frosting off your hands or a knife, you aren't going to be met by security or 30 questions -- e v e r! I've learned that if I want to just be left alone to work until I'm done by the caterers when delivering a cake, wear the jacket because the second you're done they flock with questions, but not a second before It just sets a tone that "I'm WORKING" and if people want to approach and ask for a card, etc. they can do it, but to non-verbally please wait until I have completed my job. OTOH, if I'm not wearing a jacket, I get the swarm and it annoys the heck out of me because I'm trying to get stuff done without interruption and EVERYONE, coordinators, bar staff, janitors, etc. all want to get a piece of me that second and can't wait .. It's good for getting the job done right as quickly as possible without anyone bugging you about technique