So Sad...only Ccers Could Understand This...
Decorating By PerryStCakes Updated 15 Dec 2006 , 2:17pm by tiptop57
So I have been a little MIA the last 2 weeks or so - here is why:
I had a ridiculous amount of holiday orders - good for business, bad for sleeping. One order was the worst, most grueling thing ever. It was for my husband's company's holiday party - they ordered mini cakes (I suggested one big cake, but no - they wanted individual mini cakes). Each cake was 3" diameter, red velvet, filled with raspberry, then iced in chocolate IMBC and glazed with a dark chocolate ganache, topped off with a royal icing snowflake. Yeah...I know...
So the order was for 140 people. I panicked months ago, but I have an assisant and figured out how to make it all work (I did have transportation nightmares, though). FOUR days before the delivery they up the order on me to 210 cakes. Oh yes. Had my husband not worked for this place, I would have told them "no" - I dont have the capacity (or refrigeration space).
I had to move my entire operation (mixer, pans, ingredients, etc) to my mother's kitchen (she is a chef and has that kind of space - barely). We had the cakes rotating in and out of the fridge over night since they didnt all fit. Yes, you feel my pain now, right?
Here is the sad part:
I deliver the cakes that morning, I somehow pull myself together to look like a human being again, despite not sleeping for several days so that I can go to this very same party with my husband. Ready? Nearly half of the guests left before dessert and about 100 cakes were uneaten. I thought I was going to freak out, but I was too tired to.
I got paid well, but honestly? I am not over the heartache yet.
Thanks for letting me vent CC.
XOXOXO
Perry St Cakes
It really sucks when you go to so much trouble, and they barely look at your efforts. Next time, try NNNNOOOOO. One big cake, take it or leave it.
OMG, I hope I never have to face something like that. I guess it's true, what doesn't kill you WILL make you stronger!
It didn't kill, but it was pretty close there at 4 am waking up to rotate full sheet pans filled with mini cakes in and out of the fridge...
Oh, so disappointing. I do understand how you feel. I donated a cake for 200 guests at an honors event for our community center in June (Wizard of Oz cake) 3 tiered with six 6" rounds at the base. We ended up not cutting the cake until so late that most of the guests were leaving, or some were inebriated by then. We had five of the bottom cakes left over. I ended up sending them home with people.
oh the suckily and rewarding life of a cake artist!
I agree with at least being able to know you did it and you know those cakes were not thrown out! Someone ate like a king for sure! Think I could get one of those shipped to me? 
But seriously, you got your compensation and they were enjoyed. Sometimes we have to relize non-baking people don't get the excitement and joy we get from seeing our hard work devoured and every little crumb licked off the plate. 
I can relate...I made a cake for our school Christmas party last week. The teacher in charge called me in a panic because more people were coming than she had anticipated (according to the RSVP's...) So I changed at the last minute and made a 1/2 sheet rather than a 1/4. Only about 30 people came to the party and there was lots of other food so a good 2/3 of the cake was left. We brought the leftovers to school so everyone could munch but still.....
I'm so sorry!!! I feel so bad....if it wasn't your husband's party, you would have never known, but just the fact that you were there and saw them wasted, is horrible!!! I'm so sorry!!
I'll bet you that next year..they won't be any left if they ask you again and you do them..
all the ones that had theirs will tell the ones that didn't how marvy they were! and they will all be regretting leaving early!
but wouldn't it be a kick in the head if they stay late next year for dessert and you didnt' make it...!!
Wow, PerrySt, so sorry that happened to you! But what an accomplishment!!
Now, go take a nap! 
That is really too bad..after all that hard work.. and even though you were paid, I can really relate to the fact you were still upset..I had a slightly similar situation not long ago.
Even though there was lots of cake left over, at least you were there for the "ooooh...aaahhh" from people....take heart in at least that part. Also, the ones who did eat it, would have enjoyed it thoroughly!!
The cakes sounded great!!
I'll bet you that next year..they won't be any left if they ask you again and you do them..
all the ones that had theirs will tell the ones that didn't how marvy they were! and they will all be regretting leaving early!
but wouldn't it be a kick in the head if they stay late next year for dessert and you didnt' make it...!!
I agree with RB, that is exactly what I think will happen. Hey, you can live with yourself, knowing you did all that you can do, you did your best, and it was their loss!!
I wholeheartedly agree, it's something only fellow bakers could understand... My DH wouldn't have a CLUE if I was feeling blue about something like that happening. He couldn't figure out why I was feeling a bit peeved after being asked to come up with a dessert for FIL's birthday and everyone eating the DQ icecream cake instead of the $5 each desserts I had picked up from the uppety up grocery store..
I also agree with the PP, the fact that you were there and KNEW that those cakes weren't eaten makes it worse.
But, as the others said, at least you got paid!!
CoutureCake wrote:
I was feeling a bit peeved after being asked to come up with a dessert for FIL's birthday and everyone eating the DQ icecream cake instead of the $5 each desserts I had picked up from the uppety up grocery store..
Who had the guts to bring a DQ Cake when they knew dessert was being provided?
Dense, completely dense. This is why I don't do family things and it doesn't bother me one little bit. And CoutureCake, my husband would have known how I felt, because all the way back home in the car I would be ranting about the incident! My hubby, the gem, would have agreed with me and probably even help me get it off my chest by doing a little ranting himself!
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