So I had a tasting for a bride, picked basic vanilla, chocolate and red velvet to sample, now her mom calls and wants to taste another three flavors (more exotic and fruity this time) because they can't decide which ones they want for their cake. I explained that since I don't have anyone else tasting those flavors this weekend, there would be a $10 per flavor charge.
The silence was deafening
Good for you,stick to your guns!You can't make the cakes for a tasting for free,especially with fruits and nuts that can be very pricey!
I don't blame you. I charge for all tastings, and I have a standard tasting menu. If they book with me, I apply the tasting fee to the balance, otherwise, they got a nice dessert
I don't think you are being unreasonable. I guess they don't understand that you have to bake three more cakes and fill them and frost them in order to be tasted. Did the bride pick the initial flavors to be tasted? If so I would contact her directly to discuss the tasting. Also, how long before the wedding? You might want to see if there is more time that someone else may order those, if not $10 per flavor.
I probably would not offer a second tasting, would just have them buy some cake to pick up.
Hello, OLive Garden? I'd like to come there for dinner but I need a sampling of everything on the menu to decide what I want to order. Could you set that up please at my convenience?
Hello, KFC? Could I taste a chicken leg before I order a bucket? Now can I taste a thigh before I order the same bucket? I need to sample a wing to see if I want any wings in the bucket.
Yeah .... THAT'LL work!
A sampling, to me, is to determine if they like my baking, NOT to taste-test everything to decide which they prefer. My lemon cake tastes just as good as my white cake only it tastes like lemon.
indydebi - I ABSOLUTELY love reading your responses. This one is a classic.
I wouldn't offer a second tasting either. If they don't know what kind of cake they like, then working with them is going to be interesting.
Yeah, bride picked out original tasting flavors. I allow them choose up to three of any that we offer.
No deposit has been made and the wedding is a few months out.
I just thought my fellow cc'ers would get a kick out of this.
People are amazing...I guess they start thinking that everyone has to cater to their every whim for their BIG DAY, then they can't understand why we don't jump through hoops for someone who hasn't even signed a contract! Too funny...
When I am contacted for a wedding, I request a photo or description of their desired wedding cake along with the number of servings. I then send them a pricing proposal. If the price points work for them, then and only then are they allowed to set up a tasting. This way, we don't waste each other's time and I book 95% of people with this method!
Also, I have found that if you let them couples will choose every flavor on the menu to try but when it boils down to it, most of the time, all they want is yellow cake!
By any chance were they coming by after dinner?? Maybe for dessert???
PRICELESS I needed that... thank you.
Hello, OLive Garden? I'd like to come there for dinner but I need a sampling of everything on the menu to decide what I want to order. Could you set that up please at my convenience?
Hello, KFC? Could I taste a chicken leg before I order a bucket? Now can I taste a thigh before I order the same bucket? I need to sample a wing to see if I want any wings in the bucket.
Yeah .... THAT'LL work!
A sampling, to me, is to determine if they like my baking, NOT to taste-test everything to decide which they prefer. My lemon cake tastes just as good as my white cake only it tastes like lemon.
I've actually told a bride this....well not the restaurant part, but the lemon cake part. They just look at me like I'm a dumbass.....then they say that if they haven't tasted my lemon (or strawberry, or orange) cake, how will they know if they like it?
I'm thinking of getting out of this biz. Wedding people are getting on my very last nerve.
....then they say that if they haven't tasted my lemon (or strawberry, or orange) cake, how will they know if they like it?
I did have one bride kinda like that, only it was with the food part. She wanted me to make her 5 meats, 6 veggies, 2 starches "....and some fresh fruit" for her sampling. (What? You've never tasted a strawberry before? Hmmm ... I'm pretty sure she was the one whose quote got 'lost' in cyberspace. )
So I kinda address this the second I bring the cake samples into the room:
"We're sampling 3 flavors today. These are not the only flavors we make, but it's what we're using to see if you like my baking style. My lemon cake tastes just as good as my white cake except it tastes like lemon."
Debi, do you ever get people looking at you like you're insane when you use that "except it tastes like lemon" line?
were I looking for a lemon cake, I'd sure as heck want to taste it - I've had some really bad flavoured cakes in my day...and a good vanilla cake doesn't mean that the lemon cake will be as good...
Of course, were I a bride, I'd be going with vanilla or chocolate, for that very reason...
Nope.... they usually laugh with me and say, "got it!"
But I also go with The Golden Rule .... Those laying out the gold, get to make the rules. It's a free sampling ... you eat what I provide. You want to "order" something, then I'll let you know how much it will cost you.
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