If you have someone working for/with you taking the order how do you "get it right"? Meaning it comes from the costumer what they what, someone writes it down and than you have to make a cake like the costumer wants from what is written down. How do you get it right?
When I open up I will be doing all the baking and my partner with me doing all or most of the decorating, there may be days we don't get to talk face to face (me mornings, her afternoons at first).
I may even have my mom working the front all day so she would be the one doing the order taking.
Anyone have any help for me on how to get this right?
When I worked with this lady at her bakery she had a sheet made up with all the specifics: size, color, flavor of cake, writing, price, date ordered/needed, time to pick up, etc,. she had the customer sign it.
I thought man thats a great idea, when I open my bakery I will do that.
In addition to what monica said, I would also have a place for a quick sketch of the cake can be made so that everyone is on the same page. I do that, even though I am the only one working on my cakes most the time.
Just like Monica0271 said. When I worked in a bakery, if their was a design number that was put on the reciept. Also, if the customer brought in something to go on the cake or to match color or if the customer is buying some of your decorations everything was put together and not looking for the day before just to find out we did not have the item. it was bag with name and date of cake on bag - boxed if breakable.
Example of a girl - girl took order, after order was place she was to go get the lady figure and put tag it for the party. She forgot and the one lady figure that was left and went to someone who order a cake for the day before. Lets just say the customer was mad and was given a good discount. The girl let go because she has done this more then once. Now it was a small bakery so we only ordered what was need plus a few extras. but inventory was check often to prevent errors.
I think that having a check list or prefab order form is great for the basic birthday or special occasion cake.
I would, however, personally meet with anyone wanting a wedding cake or elaborate cake. So I would set a designated time that you (or your partner) would take these "special" orders. So let's say wednesday afternoons form 3-4 is a time when you are both there. Or you could do by appointment only. Your mom, or whom ever runs the front shop could have your portfolio and be able to answer general questions on cake sizes and pricing and if they are interested, then they would need to come back at the designated time if you are either not there or unable to come to the front.
Does that help?
Stephanie
let her take the simpler designs, the ones that are already in photos, and talk personally with the clients who wants something more complicated
Also show her styrofoam dummies with all the sizes so she knows what she is talking about in terms of servings.
of course write down everything for her and tell her to call you on the phone every-time she is ready o sing a contract to check with you, at least until she gets used to selling your cakes.
Here's how I do it...
1. name and phone number of customer. (very important so that if there are any questions you can call em)
2. Pickup date and time.
3. Cake size and flavors (ex. 1/2 sheet 1/2 n 1/2 white n choc.) Icing type (bc, imbc, whip, etc)
4. special instructions (ex. flowers, color scheme, pictures etc).
5. deposit if any paid.
6. balance due if any
Pickup date and time
7. If this is a wedding cake order then have the customer go over the details and sign or initial the bottom and date.
Have some kind of board with clips or clipboards and hang the pending order on the day it's due. If it's not for that particular week turn it facing the wall.
Writing down the instructions or making up a dummy order for your helpers to follow really helps them to see how you want it to be done.
OOoo yes! I was going to suggest the clipboard thing! And if you check out the Ace of Cakes website they have all those on a bulletin board on a wall. Probably in the order that they are needed by.
Good luck!
Oh yes, I know I'm doing this. I love seeing that on Ace of Cakes.
Do most costumers give you some leeway? Like if you want to do a shell boarder or a star boarder, what ever looks good to you?
I do not have the answer to that question. Wonder if someone else does?
Do most costumers give you some leeway? Like if you want to do a shell boarder or a star boarder, what ever looks good to you?
I do not have the answer to that question. Wonder if someone else does?
I think it would depend on the customer. I have never had anyone specify what type of border. The only time is when someone said they didn't want a border at all.
Do most costumers give you some leeway? Like if you want to do a shell boarder or a star boarder, what ever looks good to you?
I do not have the answer to that question. Wonder if someone else does?
I think it would depend on the customer. I have never had anyone specify what type of border. The only time is when someone said they didn't want a border at all.
I would steer away from getting TOO detailed ... the average consumer has no idea and you'll end up confusing them more than helping them.
For example, when a bride orders an appetizer table or my salad bar, rather than ask them for a list of veggies they want on the trays or the salad bar, I ask them "Is there anything in particular you DO or DON'T want?" (i.e. raw broccoli or cantaloupe are 2 good examples - they either like it or they don't.) Usually the couple doesn't have any items for these 2 categories in which I tell them that I will get them "best available for the price and season". This gives me free license to create the food trays anyway I want based on what is available.
So I might ask them "is there anything in particular you do or don't want on the cake?" You might get things like "she hates roses" or "she loves roses!" for birthday cakes. As a consumer, I don't want to have to decide what kind of border to put on a 4 year olds birthday cake. Just make it look nice. Remember, the average cake customer has no idea what our terms are .... they just want a cake.
Get the info you need, but don't make them have to make a lot of choices. It confuses them. 
Do most costumers give you some leeway? Like if you want to do a shell boarder or a star boarder, what ever looks good to you?
I do not have the answer to that question. Wonder if someone else does?
I think it would depend on the customer. I have never had anyone specify what type of border. The only time is when someone said they didn't want a border at all.
I would steer away from getting TOO detailed ... the average consumer has no idea and you'll end up confusing them more than helping them.
For example, when a bride orders an appetizer table or my salad bar, rather than ask them for a list of veggies they want on the trays or the salad bar, I ask them "Is there anything in particular you DO or DON'T want?" (i.e. raw broccoli or cantaloupe are 2 good examples - they either like it or they don't.) Usually the couple doesn't have any items for these 2 categories in which I tell them that I will get them "best available for the price and season". This gives me free license to create the food trays anyway I want based on what is available.
So I might ask them "is there anything in particular you do or don't want on the cake?" You might get things like "she hates roses" or "she loves roses!" for birthday cakes. As a consumer, I don't want to have to decide what kind of border to put on a 4 year olds birthday cake. Just make it look nice. Remember, the average cake customer has no idea what our terms are .... they just want a cake.
Get the info you need, but don't make them have to make a lot of choices. It confuses them.
Thank you, this is great. I didn't look at it as giving them too many chooses, great point.
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