Okay, I am of the "Duff" philosophy... if I do a cake for free then I have free reign on design. My question is, should I consult them on cake flavors and filling or does this also fall under my free reign?

Background: I am doing a castle cake for my niece's 7th birthday. I want to do one tier french vanilla with strawberry mousse and another tier chocolate fudge with cookies & cream. I have a feeling that niece's mom with poo-poo the fillings and since there will be about 50 people at the party (potential business), I would hate to serve a cake with just buttercream filling.

Any suggestions/ideas/what would you do?

Thanks!

since taste is so personal -

I'd allow input on flavors

(after all -- I really really like chocolate cake -- but what if the customer absolutely abhorred it??? or worse was allergic to some flavor/ingredient (like a chocolate cake w/ peanut butter fluff filling)

BUT ... it would only to be those kinds of things -- allergies and icky-poos -- after that you get what I give ya.

Not only taste, but food allergies. I would consult with whomever before proceeding with the cake.

I would allow input within reason...something like...
"Would you like chocolate with cookies and cream filling or chocolate mousse filling? Would you like your French Vanilla to have a strawberry or lemon filling?"
That way you give them options, but you make it sound like the fillings are mandatory. I have this problem too, everyone is afraid of filling!

At first I thought you should let them pick the flavors, but what you are planning sounds really good, if some one do not like chocolate they can have vanilla. This are 2 of the most popular flavors it should be ok.

I like the give them two choices for the filling approach.

I am a super picky person and a lot of kids are super picky as well even on some normal type things.. I would be a bit disappointed as a 7yo not to care for my own B-day cake.

I quite agree with Duff's theory... that said, I think that needs to be clear in the beginning so they have the opportunity to pay if they are choosy. I would also be flexible regarding basic flabor...i.e. I wouldn't insist on chocolate cake for a kid who dislike chocolate.

I think you should do it the way you want; you are doing it for free, and you are hoping to generate business with this cake. You have picked the two basic cake flavors, with what you feel are popular or really good filling choices; if you know she's going to say no to the fillings, then don't even ask.

I would give them the options but only give them the options you are willing to make (this way you can still choose what will be good) But If you were to make this cake for my family without asking a few people wouldn't be able to eat it. I have people in my family that can not have caffiene (so no chocolate), and another that is allergic to strawberries. So it may be something just to double check there are no allergies.

And if you want to do the fillings (which I have never had anyone complaing about them once they had them) then only give her options with fillings.

just my 2cents

I'd ask the niece, not the mom - it's HER birthday.

You are doing it for free, so do it your way. You are absolutely right, there is potential business there and you want to shine. Especially since you are doing this at your own cost. Good luck, hope you get some future customers!!

It's this kid's birthday before it's your free marketing opportunity. Think of it as your gift to your niece that she gets to choose flavors.

I agree to run with it--just make sure the kids up for it... I mean, a free cake is nice and all but if the kid can't/won't eat it because she doesn't like the flavor of cake it kind of defeats the purpose...

I make cakes only for family and friends, they are all freebies. The only say they get is in the flavor. I ask them what kind of cake they want and what filling. Most of the time they just say a cake flavor and leave the filling up to me. Design they have no say on.

I voted no to a point. I agree with asking the niece what she would like. And also they allergy factor. I am allergic to coconut. So if I don't know it is in the cake I will have a severe reaction.

And to promote my cakes I have put a free coupon in our welcoming committee packs. On the coupon it states limitation may apply. So when they call I ask if they have allergy problems. I then give them a few choices of flavors of cake. I want them to try a basic cake first. Then if they like that and want to place an order than I can maybe deal with them on the cost if I want to try something. I had one family turn down a cake they wanted for thier DD. I told her it would cost alittle more to decorate it with a horse them and she finally said no. I wasn't going to charge only like 5 bucks for the extra. But hey what did they expect for something FREE?? So I emailed her back and said hey that was ok and if she just need a cake for a dessert to let me know. And for family I go with what person the cake is for. Not what mom or dad wants. Unless it is there B-Day.

I recently donated 2 cakes including one Wedding Cake for a Charity Auction. I was specific as to the cake allowed on both. The Wedding Cake had limits. 3 layers, chocolate or white, no filling, buttercreme frosting also between the layers and they supplied the topper. Also no stand or retrievable pillars or plates. I always include borders and buttercreme roses in my prices. The other was a generic, white or chocolate cake, 1/4 sheet, two color icing. I did an 80th birthday for it. You have to set limits or they will take advantage. If you stick to your guidelines, you shouldn't have as many problems. Good Luck. I have found that local auctions and donations to be great advertisements.