I am donating a cake to a charity event in December. They have requested a tasting of 3 different cakes with 3 different fillings. If I were a bakery that had these just lying around, I would be okay with it. I am a per order baker/decorator. I also charge for tastings, and that charge is absorbed into the contract if signed. If I had cake orders for the requested flavors, I could just make a few extra cuppies, but the orders I have in the next few weeks are not for the flavors requested.

Any advice?

So you're giving away cake for the event, and you're asking if you should give away cake for free before too? Uh, I wouldn't, but that's just me. I am happy to donate to worthy causes, but I'm not going out of way for people to be picky.

Yeah - I don't get that either. You are DONATING a cake (which includes your time and labor) and they are requesting a cake tasting! Really??? No way. I am sure it is for a worthy cause, but I think that if you are donating a cake you have the right to decide what flavor cake and filling you wish to donate. Be honest with the folks requesting the tastings; let them know that you are not a bakery that has extra cake/batter/fillings that are always available and that the cake flavor you will be donating is "such and such".

I would offer the tasting, but charge your normal tasting fee. That way, if the charity wants to pay for the tasting they can do so.

And after a request like that I'd probably be rethinking my donation. Seriously.

I would be very, very clear what the limits of your donation are going to be since it already sounds like they are trying to take advantage of you.

I would tell them that you are NOT providing a complimentary tasting. However, if they would like to PURCHASE a 6" round, homestyle-iced cake they can choose the flavor.

Thanks, everyone. It sounded off to me as well. I was just not sure how others have handled such a situation. This is my first and possibly last charity event. I have composed an email letting them know they can purchase a tasting of flavors on hand or purchase their choice of cake. There will be no complimentary cake other than the one for their event.

I agree that you shouldn't offer free tastings for something you're donating. I would make small cakes/cupcakes available for purchase.

Sorry, but I think that's just bl**dy cheeky!

I'm perplexed....is the donated cake going to be auctioned off? Are you just providing free food for the event participants to nosh on? In either case, I can't imagine why they want a tasting. i agree with the others, donate a cake (you can use the tax deduction I suppose) but charge for the tasting. although I'm thinking of starting a non-profit and go to bakers and ask for donations...and while I'm there, I'll ask for tastings of my choice....I may never have to bake again...

I agree with cakesbycathy!

I do all of my cakes for donations to charities or directly for charities. I DO NOT do tastings. Now, nearly all of what I do is the result of word of mouth, so whomever suggests me has generally tasted my cake or knows someone who has tasted it.

I do allow a charity up to 125 free servings per year--1 cake, 4 cakes, or 6 cakes, whatever--and I limit all cakes to 1 flavor per 40 servings (or less)--so, if they want to taste 3 flavors, then they'd use up all 125 of those free servings and they'd get nothing for another 12 months

Rae

I'm not terribly tactful and I would have straight up laughed at the request. And probably said "You're not serious?"

Wow, now I've officially heard it all.

When one donates something, the organization on the receiving end doesn't get to dictate what they're getting.

You definitely need to set the boundaries or else they'll try to take advantage of you.

Brenda, your email was spot on. Well worded, gentle but to the point. You respected yourself and have the right to expect that others respect you as well. Good on you.

WOW! I KNOW I have heard it all now! Torn between laughing at them, swearing at them, or just walking away. FREE/ donation is now at the whim of the organizers?

I DONATE, I DECIDE... period--- no choice of flavors, colors, or designs. Obviously "what's in it for me" is exposure so it is up to ME to decide how I get to represent myself. HUMPF!

Well, as I said, I do all donations.

For the most part, if a charity is requesting a cake, they need it for a specific function. I expect them to have color and design requests.

If they want a generic sheet cake to serve from the back, they can have that, but if they want a showpiece, I'm happy to oblige.

It's my work and I want it to be up to MY standards, as well as theirs, but they're requesting a donation doesn't make it ALL up to me. They don't get relegated to second class, beggars, or guinea pigs.

In many ways, the donation is advertising. At these charity functions, dozens of people will see and eat the cake. Who knows what work may come your way?

But, as I said, I don't offer "free" tastings. For a charity, the number of "tasting" servings would come off of the 125 servings that I offer as the donation. For an individual, they'd have to make a donation FOR the tasting servings and then also donate for the final cake....no "discount".

Rae

I'll play the other side and I agree with it. If they are going to serve it, they want to know what it tastes like. When I do a charity event, I drop off a few cupcakes as a treat and to set their mind at ease. They don't ask, I offer. But I really can see their point. As I have stated this unpopular statement in the past, I have had many bad cakes baked by pros. They should feel comfortable with what they serve.

Blakes, I understand your point of view. You do a lot of charity work and obviously have a great reputation.

In the case of an auction, how is the auctioneer or announcer going to describe your cake and tell people how great it tastes? Maybe it doesn't taste great. I would think they should know.

If this is a Black Tie Event with upper income people and a premium ticket price, then they should know what they are getting to make sure it is up to their standards.

You have plenty of time between now and December. Bake them a small cake when it is convenient for you and tack the cost of that onto the donation for when you write it off on your taxes.

If offered $10, they can't (shouldn't) ask for $100.

I agree, a donation is not the "junk" leftovers (OT- do you know how much the Salvation Army spends to dump "junk" donations?,) but it still has to be within the means you offered. Also, unlike a paying customer, for purposes of "looking good" at the event, you want to showcase your best cake. I would also be concerned that someone "on the committee" would choose some foo-foo flavor... rather than the "old standbys" that everyone loves (and makes me look good!). Notice the OP said they wanted to try some flavors she doesn't plan to make in the next few weeks?

Bottom line, they are a "customer" (paying or not) but that doesn't mean they hold a blank check to order outside what you offered (size, upcharge flavors or fillings, decorations, etc.). If you don't "do" tastings, then I see no reason to "do" one for them.

I appreciate all of the feedback given. Everyone has posted valid points from both sides.

My concern was they were requesting a tasting on a set of specific dates and I do not have orders or the time to bake the 3 different flavors and fillings they were requesting. I am a one woman operation and this is not my primary job. As I stated in my original post, if I had a bakery or storefront and these flavors on hand, no problem. I also have no problem, if an order comes along for the flavors requested, baking a few cupcakes for them. But only a few, not enough for an entire committee that wants to convene and munch on cake.

I am not treating this as a leftover situation, but I am also being realistic and not expecting much work to come my way from it.

It is the whole going out of my way to go out of my way for them that was really bothering me.

So far, my contact person has been understanding. We will see how it goes when we meet for design and theme.

Brenda... good luck! Well handled!

I'm very specific with the terms of my donations...servings, flavors (3 to choose from) and design within reason.
I basically offer a certificate in the $$$ amount that the donated cake can cost.
One time I had a crazy request for a cake with mechanical components that would have sold for $$$$ it was then I realized the need to set boundaries upfront.
It's been my experience that the few requests I've gotten from donation exposure were for more donations.
So I do a couple each year to the organizations that are dear to me and don't expect any business in return. If it comes that's a bonus.

I'm with cakestyles. Only donate to causes you want without the idea of it generating orders.

When I donate to something that I am associated with, such as my daughter's prep school, I am reaching my target market. But I make sure I give plenty to that source so that it isn't self-serving. But some of that does come back to me. My other charities are not groups that will bring in business. But I don't expect it.

In my interview, I stress the issue of serving tried and true crowd-pleasers, as many people will not enjoy the odd flavors. We settle on a flavor, the majority of times it is Red Velvet. I then send cupcakes. I did do a charity for Breast Cancer Awareness with Buddy's custard yellow cake recipe and raspberry FBC and filling to go with the color scheme. They loved them.

I don't think anyone meant to treat the organization as lucky to get left overs. They would of course get something they liked, but I am sorry, you they would never get 3 flavors of their choice with the 3 frostings of their choice. I thought it was very gernerous that the OP offered them 3 choices of what she had on hand at the moment. I'm sorry, but I've seen a few charities get a little carried away.

Sorry, but I would NOT be spending time having a consultation over this cake. This is a DONATION, which means that you can give me the theme and some colors and how many servings you need and I will choose how the cake will look, based on what my personal time and financial constraints are.

Obviously you will make them a delicious and beautiful cake. However, I would be laying down the law so they can stop looking a gift horse in the mouth. Otherwise they can get their free cake from somewhere else.

cakesbycathy - I completely agree with you. I mean I am sure it's for a worthy cause and all, but c'mon! let's not push it. give me the colors and the overall theme and trust that I will do a good, FREE job.