Should I Make My Own Going-Away Cake?
Decorating By fuzzykoala22 Updated 6 Aug 2006 , 3:39am by mhill91801
I am leaving the company I work for next week to begin my teaching career... and I was asked to make MY OWN going-away cake for the party 
Should I do it? Or would that be tacky? I want to, because I can't resist the opportunity to make a cake and have somewhere to bring it, but...I won't be paid for it or anything. Shouldn't they be buying me a cake from somewhere or at least offer to pay me for it? I don't know what I'm going to do; my last day is Wednesday.
you should be like "ohh, there's no WAY i could make the cake! I'll have far too many going away presents from all of you to carry home, let alone the cake stand and stuff!" and give them a big ol' smile 
then a quite serious face.
they should get the hint
I just left my company last week- and made my own going away cake..........they never even offered to pay me- but I cant stand the thought of eating cardboard cake and greasy icing! LOL! I did it b/c I love it-
If it were me personally, I would do it. Just because I love making cakes, and like stated before, I can't stand eating other cakes either. I don't think it's tacky. It's something you love doing, and are good at it. You should feel flattered they asked you to make it. That means they really like your work. And about not being paid, well, it is in a round about way for yourself, so it wouldn't be that big of a deal. That's my opinion. 
My advice would be...do you WANT to make this cake? Is it at a time when it is going to put you in a bind for time etc? And were they asking you because they are too cheap and inconsiderate to buy you a cake? Or is it simply that they have tasted yours , liked it and know you love to make and decorate cakes?
There's no way I would do it. I probably would have had something to say when they asked. That is the about the tackiest thing I have heard in a while. I agree with lasidus1. I'd have made them feel a little stupid for asking.
JMO Diane
If you want to do the cake then do it. If it is going to leave you with bad feelings, then don't do it.
But it has to be a choice of what is best for you, not the rest of us.
That is so tacky. They basically want you to help throw yourself a party--and pick up the tab too! LAME!
If you really want to do it, you should. It doesn't make you look tacky--just them for asking.
But if it were me, I'd be a little offended..and would have laughed at them for suggesting it.
Um. That is a very odd request. Who in the world asks the person the party is for to make their own cake? Very tacky, indeed. 
I agree that you should just tell them you don't have time or something, that is sooo rude! Or at least say that with the job transition you would have fun making you're own cake but really can't afford it right now. That will give them the opp to offer to pay for it or it will tell them that they are responsible for getting the cake, anyway, let us know what you decide!
Maybe I should have asked what kind of party this is going to be. If it is a pot luck dinner or something like that I could see you bringing the cake as your part of it, MAYBE. If it is just going to be a cake and coffee type thing, they could each bring some sort of cookies or cake or something. It wouldn't have to be a fancy decorated cake.
Guess this hit a nerve with me because I am Queen of my Red Hat chapter and every month I make a birthday cake for whoever has a birthday that month. Last month was my birthday, and they did nothing for it. Kind of hurt my feelings.
Oh well, do what is best for you. None of us are trying to tell you what to do. You asked for our opinions and you know all of us--WE DEFINITELY HAVE OPINIONS. 
Diane
I don't think they should have asked you to make your own cake, but if you do decide to make it then atleast you know you will like it!
Maybe they asked you because they know your's is the best and know you enjoy baking and it will be the last chance they will have for one of your wonderful cakes. If you enjoy baking and know your cakes are soooo much better (and I'm sure they are!), then do it!! If you are still in the area, it might generate some business after you're gone with cake orders. Maybe they will surprise you will other nice things. Be bigger than they are!!
Wow, the yes and no votes are tied at 40%. Pretty interesting.
I know if they asked me at work to make my own going away cake I would be quite flattered. Everyone at work loves my baking and I would take it as a compliment. I also know they would ask me for a price too, because whenever I bring stuff in, people offer me money. I always refuse though.
Bottome line: do it and impress the hell out of them!!!
I agree, I think it was tacky to ask you. But, since you sound like it would be fun for you to do then go ahead.
I'm like you. I don't have a lot of reasons to make cakes. So when I get one I get excited.
I wouldn't mind making my own cake though. Then at least you know the person it's for will like it.
Joanne
Ya'll are right... if I make it myself, I know it'll taste good and for once I get to pick the flavor! The cost isn't going to be all that much, so I think I'm gonna go for it. I'm thinking this would be a good time for me to try my hand at MMF... I didn't want to really draw too much attention to myself by making a nice cake for it since I feel horrible for leaving the company. I only just found out about the teaching job, and since the school year starts on the 14th of this month I couldn't give two weeks notice. It was actually only about a week.
Anyone have any suggestions on what flavor cake would go with coffee buttercream? Seems like chocolate is the best fit, but what do ya'll think?
I don't think you should make your own cake. Two weeks ago I transferred to another department within the same company. I was in my old department for 5 years and no one did anything for me. 
Not even a congratulations card. Everyone else that leaves the company or transfers gets something only after a year of service but I get nothing. I did so many free cakes for my old department and I was quite upset. But I guess that's a part of life.
Good for you on deciding to do something you love just for you! Besides, I know that whenever I make a cake for someone else, I always want to know how it came out and this way you can truly justify having a piece of it!
It is clear that you have a rep for loving the craft of cake (as we all do here!) and I'll bet folks asked you to make your won cake because they knew darn well that a) no one else could make one themselves that would compare well to what they'd seen from you and; b) they didn't want to insult you with a store-bought cake.
As for flavor, I agree that chocolate goes well with coffee buttercream, but you might consider adding some chocolate chips to the cake as well - it is sinfully rich (just tried a piece of something very similar yesterday!)
Good luck with your new adventure in teaching, and depending on what grade you teach (past middle school I don't think kids want to bring in birthday cakes to share), maybe you could offer the classroom Mom's tips on their birthday creations for their children's cakes too!
Best of luck and enjoy making your cake!
Ali in MA
FuzzyKoala, I'm curious, what is the general procedure for these types of parties at the company that you work for?
Do they usually take up money to use in a whole for cake/gift or does everyone buy individual gifts?
TexasSugar - I'm actually not sure what the policy is, or if there even is one. We've never taken up collections for any gifts or cake, but that might have been because some of the people who have left our company haven't left on the best of terms. 
Thanks for answering. Instead of assuming the worst about your co-workers (that they are cheap or tacky) I'd probably think that if they know you are into cake decorating or that you have brought cakes before that they thought you might want to do your own.
I don't think you should make your own cake. Two weeks ago I transferred to another department within the same company. I was in my old department for 5 years and no one did anything for me.
Not even a congratulations card. Everyone else that leaves the company or transfers gets something only after a year of service but I get nothing. I did so many free cakes for my old department and I was quite upset. But I guess that's a part of life.
Now if you will remember that and not start making free cakes for your new department. I think everyone just assumes you will make cakes and they never stop to think of the cost and time. I think we all have a bit of that problem when it comes to work and family.
Diane
You're right... I was bringing in all the cakes from my Wilton I and II courses because otherwise they wouldn't get eaten. The baby shower cake I did for our receptionist was for free too. So it's really my fault that my co-workers assumed I would do it because I've always brought free cake before! 
I did get one paid cake order though, but that was for someone to take home to their family.
Just a thought while I was reading the other posts.... I guess I didn't think it was rude or tacky. Personally, I get offended when a party is for me, and I get a grocery store cake. THAT is what I think is rude. I make great cakes for everyone else, all occasions, then when it's my turn, I get a store bought cake. Granted nobody else in my family makes cakes, but I wouldn't be offended at all if they asked me to make my own. Like I said earlier, it would make me feel like they really liked my cakes and wanted the best for the party.
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