hi everyone
what do you think about me charging 16.00 for a cake at cake tasting of your choice and you still get to taste the cupcakes for your cake batter of your cake and if you choose me to bake your cake it will go on as part of your deposit. because this cake tasting is breaking my pocket pretty bad. i don't get ask to bake too many wedding cakes and if i was to bake cake for a cake tasting i have a lot of cake left over and it is killing my pocket. so tell me what you think or if you have an idea let me know yours.
thanks a lot

I don't do cake tastings but if I did I would charge too. No one can expect free cake tastings. If they buy from you it's fine to give the credit for the tasting.

Yes. I think a flat fee that goes towards there deposit sounds good! Add up how many cakes you make each time with the filings and frosting! That can really add up! If you make many multiple, maybe you should be charging more!
Good Luck!

I haven't had anyone do a tasting and not order, so by the time we get to the flavor choices, they're already a customer; thus, I don't charge separately for samples. I do, however, charge enough per serving on cakes to include my cost for this service.

We have a couple that wants an 8inch round double layer for Easter to use as a cake tasting for their wedding in June. We told them that we would charge our normal price but if they do decided to get the cake from us it would be taken off the price. I think it is a good idea, it will help you save some money.

how big are the cakes that you are making? and how many flavors are you making? if you're offering too many options at a free sampling, then maybe your costs can be controlled a bit by not going overboard?

I make one 6" square, single layer. I cut it in half (see my photo entitled "Sample Cakes"). I tort both and fill one with white BC and one with red raspberry. If I'm feeling generous or have one in the freezer, I might do a chocolate sample cake (3"x6", like in my photos). I don't ask them "what flavors do you want to taste?". The sampling is to show them that I can bake. If they like my white cake, then their lemon cake will taste just as good, only it will taste like lemon.

I have a very high success rate in samplings-to-bookings. The fact that I don't offer 5 or 6 flavors or flavor combos has never been an issue or a problem.

I remember the cutest sampling idea, posted it here before but don't have the link right now. They had small 1x1x1 cubes of cake, and dollops of different fillings and frostings. That way, the client could mix and match how they wanted to to find a combo that was right for them. These could be made up with extra batter from real orders and frozen for later. No decorating, just thaw and serve, and since it's leftover cake anyway, no extra costs. You could do the same with mini cupcakes as well. I don't do tastings for clients (need clients first!) but we do this at home, just with trimmings and a bowl of frosting and different jams for dessert. Really fun, and everyone gets to try something new.

I let the prospective customer tell me which two flavors they want to taste because that's all they get. I bake a 6 x 2 cake in the flavor of their choice and after they've exhausted the two flavors, it's $5.00 each. So far that's worked well for me.

I not only let the couple taste two flavors of their choice I have some in a box to take home to their families for tasting. They end up booking with me on the spot. They can't belive I would be so nice. And I also have a bottle of water for each of them.

I'm still trying to decide how I want to do the tastings. I am trying to decide first if I am going to have a wedding cake base price as oppossed to my regular base price so that the cost of the tasting is built in. OR charge for the tasting and give them a TRANSFERRABLE coupon of equal value (if they don't book with me, maybe they'll give me a referral).

But how to actually do the tasting is my question. I don't want to be in the room, I would prefer they take them home and can be totally honest about it and not feel that they have to be nice. What I have been doing is making 2 six inch cakes and then frosting them and putting filling in them (both frosting and filling are their choice) dropping them off and leaving, but I tell them when I am going to do their tasting the cake will be UGLY, I will not be putting any effort into smoothing the frosting or keeping crumbs out, etc... the purpose of the cakes are for tasting only! Is this good or not?

Also, (I have lots of Q's) does freezing the cakes/frosting at all alter the taste. If it isn't the same, then they aren't seeing what I make.

alicegop, if you prefer not to be there at all, then just have them buy a small cake and take it home, rather than go thru the motions of a "tasting". This appt is the opportunity for you to also talk to them and find out how much they can spend, what ideas they have, etc. I also do catering, so when they come to the appt to sample cakes and food, I get them started and tell them, "You go ahead and get started. I have a little cleaning up to do, then I'll be right back in." I go to the kitchen and spend about 3 minutes making cleaning noises, then return and ask them how things are going? We then start the conversation on what they are looking for. Don't be shy during the sales portion of your business! This is the most important part!

We charge $25 for a cake testing - if they book it is credited toward it. There was a problem with someone I hear "through the grapevine" that brides and their friends were booking tastings with as many bakeries as they could and having a nice dinner before - using the tasting as a sort of "free dessert' party. They booked the tastings one every weekend. Turned out the aunt was a baker and doing the wedding cake in the first place. Since that - we charge!!

I do not charge for cake tastings...afterall it is a sales pitch and I feel the cost should be built in. I recently changed the way I do the cakes though. I offer vanilla cake w/raspberry filling and buttercream icing, wedding white w/bc filling and b/c icing and chocolate cake w/bc filling and b/c icing. Also, if I have some extra batter or whatever I might offer that also, but most likely not. I have a combo pack for someone that wants to try different flavors and fillings or has already had a consult and can't make up there mind that I sell for $35. It consists of 3- 6" cakes in whatever flavors they choose. It's working out pretty well. Out of the 40+ consults I've had this year 2 have not booked. Seriously, what does it take to give someone 3 bite size pieces of your cake to get a $500+ order??

I chose the 6 x 2 size because it gave them more than a taste but less than a dessert and gave them enough where two or three people (say bride, mom and friend) could all have a piece. It's also a big enough size to cut and fill and if they want fondant I cover half the cake with it and half buttercreamed to let them know the difference. Seems to work well. I did recently invest in those little dinky fill pans that Wilton put out (I forget what they're called) and I may switch to that size.

45 tastings out of a 6 inch cake?? Wow!! Those are little tastes! I guess I'm just too generous! How do you get that many if you don't mind me asking? They sound like tiny slivers.

They are tiny slivers! I cut it long ways into 4 and then across into 9. Remember I use the loaf pan but the same amount of batter you would put in a 6" cake. They only need a small bite to taste the yummy flavor! I give them 3 slices (one of each) and I make 3 plates for each tasting. I've never had anyone complain about the size...and only had 2 not book. One thing I have learned in this business is the more you give someone the more they want for free. And yes, you are way too generous! Toughen up woman!

to wonderbuns!