I was just wondering how everyone goes about doing their tastings?

I make arrangements to meet the client at their home, or at a local Starbucks.

I take my carrier with the samples, laptop, small serving plates, napkins, forks.

This allows me to draw up their contract, show them potential cakes, and serve them--all in one meeting.

I don't do tastings out of my home, because of my husband's work schedule, and my oldest son works at night. It's almost impossible to find a time where there's not a scheduling conflict!

--Knox--

Thanks for sharing! I've been doing them in my house but I have a 5 1/2 yr. old and 2 yr. old twins and sometimes it's not very 'professional' around here! lol

The meeting @ a local starbucks is agreat idea! I'm a SAHM of 8 and I usually do tastings in-home where we end up doing a marathon cleaning before I host a tasting with a client. Starbucks doesn't give you any hassle about bringing in outside foods?

Since most of my business is by referral, I do little tastings. The ones I have done have been out of town folks that were getting married in this area. I got together by phone with the bride and found out what type of cake she would like, packaged and mailed them to her. I handle my appoints several ways. They can either come to my shop, or if their schedule is tight I will go to their home. I leave myself flexible for evening appoints as sometimes it is very difficult for a bride to conduct everything on a Saturday. Usually they work, and they seem to appreciate the flexibility, besides I do not do Saturday appointments. It is my busy day. You are better off meeting somewhere with no kids. It is definitely not professional, and is very difficult to keep focused. Kids are fine but at home, not where you are trying to do your business.

Here is a previous post about that subject.

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-14134.html