I also love Toba's books. I own one of them and it showed me a much better way to cut the excess fondant off the bottom of the cake than I was taught in my class.
I too think her cakes are a beautiful work of art. I'm sure they are yummy too.
I don't blame her for charging the prices. I'm sure we all would if we could get people to pay that.
I do think the people with that much money to blow on a cookie or cake is someone who has way to much money. Seems to me there are a lot better things to spend money on then cake and cookies but hey, who am I to say. I'm sure many people thing I blow my money on stupid cake decorating supplies. I think it all depends on the person and what is important to them.
But the main thing is her cakes are some of the nicest that can be found.
i just checked out her website- wow those are amazing cakes. i would LOVE to charge that much for a cake, but around here, people's eyeballs would bug out of their head if i even charged 5.00 a slice for fondant cake- so i mainly stick to bc, otherwise, i wouldn't make a dime. my husband and i rented an independent film where one of the main characters (actress that just starred in Marie Antoinette) was a cake decorator in NYC!!! it kind of put it in a light of being uber competitive and who would be coming out with the hottest designs- almost like in fashion. kind of interesting-never seen that in a movie before!!! i've always joked to my hubby that we need to move to nyc or california for me to make any money at this.
I don't understand why people feel the need to argue over something like this.
The woman charges a lot for her cakes, that don't seem like they are worth it, but in person they may be, we all know pictures don't always do our creations justice.
I believe this thread was started basically to just say "hey look at these pics and look at how much she is able to get for these cakes" I don't think it was to attack Toba or whomever she is.
I live in Maryland which is right below NY and I'm sorry no matter how far north you get in MD no matter how close to NY you get the cost isn't THAT high. Now it may be in NYC I don't know.
But I don't think this is something worth arguing over. Power to her if she can get $1500.~ a cake for 10 people or $15.~ a cookie that'll last 2 minutes. I myself feel bad when I charge people $35.~ for a basic cake. I guess that's just me.
And I know I'm probably asking for a lashing by posting this but I don't care.
This is a place were all us bakers and artists can come and share our creations and our hints and tips and tools of the trade and heck we can even brag a little about what we've done and have someone equally appreciative of it.
I think we need to stop "jumping" people's cases because they have their own opinions and just let it be said. No one is bad mouthing this lady or anything they are just stating their own opinion that her cakes and cookies featured on her website are outragiously over priced. Now if she has cheaper cakes and cookies to offer why doesn't she show those on her website? If she didn't want people to think she's over priced then she should've put the cheaper ones on there as well.
JUST MY OPINION. Which as stated before we all have a right to our own opinions so why don't we sit back and let people have their say without arguing with them about their opinions?
You go girl!!! Well said and pretty much my opinion too. K'ly
I wasn't going to respond to this post because I feel very defensive of . First of all, let's realize that she is trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and she is a Master Chef. That raises her value in the market immensely. Second, as someone else said, she works in New York City - which is an extremely expensive market (although I'd venture to guess that San Francisco is equal in expense, but I'm not sure). Than remember that alot of her work is extremely time consuming and that you are paying for her time and for the quality of her work. I also know that she charges that much because it limits the quantity of cakes she is doing so she can put everything into those cakes and cookies.
I have made 90% of the recipes that she has put in her books and they are expensive to make. Her chocolate fudge cake is expensive to make and more time consuming, however it is the best darn chocolate cake I've ever had.
I agree that I don't believe anyone is insulting her but before you criticize her for her prices, you should try to put yourself in her shoes, with her talents, background, and her business.
Rachel
and you are paying for her experience and education...
now to think about it...I didn't put that in my website, but I think I'm going to toot my own horn. You have Wedding cake designers down in Miami that sell cakes for 3-5 thousand and have no training, just someone that that has been in the business like forever and brought fondant techniques to South Miami.
sooooo, maybe that will warrant my new prices..lol
Risque, your cakes are awesome. I am sure you will get there!!
thank you for your kind words!
I like Toba Garrett and her work. Her choco cake is fab. But you have to admit you are paying for a name not product. Looking is free and she has a few books out describing her techniques so I chose to try,try,try,try and even get 1/100th of the way near to what she does. May not look good, but sure will taste good cause she even gives out her recipes.
I really don't think the serving size matters much when you're dealing with an artist at her level. You are paying for a showpiece. The dessert part comes in second place.
It's for all the same reasons why Maxx or McKnight get a minimum of $20,000 for a painting. Does it take longer for them to paint it? Nope. Do they use special paint? Nope. They have simply worked for and acquired a position in their field that is sought after by most.
I think anyone here would happily take $1500.00 for one of their cakes. I know I would!!
Just FYI...People in NYC...I mean rich people in NYC WANT to pay more for things. It's all a power issue.
I live in Maryland which is right below NY.
Last time I looked, we were separated by a few states....New Jersey....Delaware, Pennsylvania, but even those states that are a bit closer, just aren't in the same bracket as Manhattan, per say. Part of the 5 boroughs can also get quite pricey...Brooklyn Heights, for example, is pretty untouchable, and a home to many decorators and chocolatiers. The rest of New York, which is a huge state, BTW, has prices that relate more to the surrounding states. It's just the city that is incredible.
ok, I agree she is talented too... but 250.00 for a cookie??????? 
I want to go to the place where my new neighbor is going to buy me a 250.00 cookie!!! 
Well, I think the name is also part of it.
CHANNEL (Perfume), paid Nicole Kidman, $1 million a minute to do a
5 minute ad. So, there are people who are willing to pay big money for anything as long as they have it. And I don't see anything wrong as long as it is "honest" money. 
Maybe someday one of us will be in that position.. I mean the cake, not CHANNEL No.5 advertisement. 
She can charge that price because the demand is there. Same with any other artist. She has the credentials to back her up and people probably book their weddings around the availability for her to do the cake. I wouldn't doubt it in the least - to get a yummy cake that is a true piece of art made from a famous artist? Well, that's beauty, quality, flavor and "clout" all wrapped up into one. I think it is cool that someone can attain such heights!
Is it possible others are just as talented? Quite possibly, but they haven't had the recognition or haven't "been discovered" just like so many very talented artists.
Melissa
She seems like a really busy lady. Heading that institute, writing books, teaching classes... I would say buying a cake from her is probably a pretty elite thing to do. Even people with a lot of money to blow may not be able to book her. I'm amazed at how detail oriented those cakes are. So, I've been decorating about 8 months now... what would you say - 15, 20 more years until I'm so talented? WOW!
I agree! I think I have a loooooong way to go before my cakes look nearly as perfect as Toba's!
[quote="adven68"]I really don't think the serving size matters much when you're dealing with an artist at her level. You are paying for a showpiece. The dessert part comes in second place.
Let me tell you, i grew up dirt poor, and at one point in my life could never even fathom paying that. today, my family is blessed, not rich, but definately not poor, and ive had to work my way into another way of thinking about poverty, money and my own stinginess. I have 3 children, and of course would put priority on diapers, school tuition, groceries (ok and maybe new cake decorating toys) but if i had the money, and she could give me what i wanted, i would pay it. I appreciate the art, the time and effort that goes into something of that magnatude should be respected. just like others have mentioned , less orders, more time to perfect the one. and they do sound DELISH!!! so kudos to her and everyone out there who has the determination to do what they love so that others will enjoy their life just a bit more.
regarding making the money stretch further than a few minutes of yum...how i wish i could make the issue of world hunger disappear or war and natural disasters come to an end....we just need to remember a balance. my family has a very stong principle of giving, even when it hurts at times...but just as well, my husband and i have worked HARD to get where we are today and sometimes it is just ok to stop and enjoy a bit of your hard earned money on something-no matter what it is. when i was a kid, i used to think rich people were awful and should just do more for the poor , but i have now realized after years of hard work and change that being in a very comfortable social class, it comes at a price as well...so why should we feel guilty for stopping to smell the roses and splurge now and then? please no one take offense. i am just thinking of my own life experience.
ok- how about the weather???? 
Melysa, I feel quite similarly. I too grew up pretty darn poor and while my DH and I are struggling right now with me staying at home for 2 years to be home with DS, it doesn't COMPARE to how I grew up. Struggling "now" means not being able to get a new car, or not going out to eat very often. Growing up, struggling meant not having food on the table - period.
My husband grew up in a communist country and while his family was of the VERY small middle class, they still struggled, but you know? Neither of us ever envied or hated the rich, but I understand more.
MOST really rich people may spend where we feel is so frivolous, but MOST of them also give - a LOT and really, what obligation do they have to do that? But they do, because they too are trying to help the world with world hunger, education, etc..., but does that mean they should be completely stripped of their luxuries? NO... Plus, most rich people I know work incredibly hard. Those so called pampered wives (or husbands in some cases) hardly have a high and free life - they are oftentimes alone while their spouses work around the clock, they are the sole parent for school activities, etc. Plus, the community EXPECTS the elite to go to charity events and to be a model figure at all times. Who wants to live a life on display?
So... if they want to spend $10,000 on an arm chair, or $5000 a night for a hotel room, why shouldn't they? Does anyone care if us the middle class spends more than we should once in awhile for a vacation? a nicer car? a bigger house? No... we all like a bit of luxury
Melissa
I wish I could charge that!!! And get people to pay that for a cake!! Cookies are $15 bucks each whoo hoo for her! White chocolate roses for $250 each outrageous!!
I guess I can't really say that I have anything against rich people, the only thing that bothers me is the children of righ people that think they are entitled to whatever they want. Those kids still need to know what it's like to work hard. I know I'll never be rich (unless I win the lottery) so I've given up on wanting expensive things, but I'm happy with what I have and I think I'd rather be in the middle now. Although if I had the money, I wuold probabyl buy one of her cakes b/c they are amazing!!!
This issue really doesn't have anything to do with any of our personal pasts, our talents or our ambitions for our future. The world of wealth is one which "we", the average income earner, can never really understand.
Standing from the outside looking in, we peer with awe, sometimes envy, or even at times disgust. But in actuality everything that happens in their world and ours is relative. When we spend $500, they spend $5000. When you make millions of dollars, expenditures like this are literally "a drop in the bucket".
I have to tell ya, it is REALLY hard to give your kids what they need and then to balance the rest. Both DH and I weren't able to get all our "wants" growing up and I know we BOTH feel strongly about finding that right balance for our kids. Parents who are too strict have kids that can go wacko once on their own and parents that are too lax can go wacko from never having to do it on their own.
Add to that, peers... My son is 10 years old (the younger is 18 months) and of our neighborhood, we are probably one of the better off (we live in townhomes) though we probably give him less "stuff" than the others. Plus, we don't believe in allowance as everyone needs to pull their weight in the family and then, if you want something and there is money for it, then we can think about getting it. Then, for his bday money, etc, he can save up for things we wouldn't usually buy and still some things are still "no". Let me tell you, he DOESN'T like it and as a kid, it's hard when you see other kids getting more stuff constantly.
When I go back to work, we will be living pretty comfortably (not rich, but a nice middle class) and we really, really want our kids to understand the value of a dollar - knowing that if you lose something or break something that it's not going to get replaced and just because you "want" something doesn't mean you will get it. We have nixxed a LOT of present wants, let me tell you. On top of that, we tell him how important helping others less fortunate is important and that I think he gets.
All this is to say, I can really see how easy it is to spoil your kids in a bad way. ALL parents want to make their kids happy and before you know it, that cute little 3 year old who lights up when you give her a pretty doll now feels you OWE her that doll... How did that happen? It's a fine line.
With that said, of the "rich" people I know, the majority of their kids have found a good balance. They may go to an elite school, but they volunteer at shelters, or don't have designer clothes and most of them do "mission" work (and I'm not talking religious missions as we don't belong to a church, but an ethical society. I mean mission as in going to South America and building schools and hospitals with the locals, etc. with no strings attached).
I'm really proud of my son (and I will tout it as he doesn't!). Last year his bday was right around Hurrican Katrina. On his OWN (remember he was turning 9) he said that he felt bad for those people who lost everything and felt bad that he was worried about bday presents for his party. So, he asked everyone to make a cash donation to Red Cross instead of giving him a present. That kid raised $150 and didn't miss those silly bday presents at all. THis year for Halloween he did trick-or-treat for Unicef even though it meant he made it to less houses to get candy.... While he still wanted that expensive robosapien, he does "get it" that he's better off than the majority of the kids his age around the world.
Hopefully, that means he'll be able to be an adult that doesn't just think about his own needs, but others too...
Melissa
I too have visited her site and I believe she deserves every penny of her price. Her cakes are breathtaking as are many I have seen on this site. I don't know about the rest of you, but since I did my first tiered wedding cake (for my son), I have a whole new appreciation for the art and the decorator.
OUTRAGEOUS or not, it's a free world, to each it's own.
You're paying for a piece of art and you can't really tag that with a price. Her design skills are stunning and her execution and attention to detail are impecable. A painting is just paint on canvas yet people are prepared to pay up to millions for that - I see no distinction between a sugar work of art and any other medium.
That's a good point I never thought of it like that!
NYC has an incredible amount of wealth and celebs so to them $1500 for a cake is like us normal folks paying $25. It's all about talent, reputation, location, connections and marketing. Put all those together and you've got yourself a $1500 cake!
DING, DING, DING...We have aaaaa winnnnerrrr!!!! You nailed it, girl!
I live in a town that isn't tiny, necessarily, but has a lot of rich people living with a very small town frame of mind. The wealthy class here is LARGE and very connected. They all use the same jewelers, doctors, shop at the same clothiers, go to the same restaurants, frequent the same art galleries, etc. Very similar to big cities like NYC, LA, Atlanta, etc. The rich follow the rich....whatever level of 'rich' they're at, be it very comfortable or completely filthy. 
I found out, after trial and error, that it is ALL about those things exactly. Of course, you DO need the talent...and in Toba's case, the education...to garner any interest to begin with. But if you interest the RIGHT people, the word spreads like wildfire and you become the 'IT' person for cakes or jewelry or whatever it is you do. And (as I mentioned in another post in the business forum) if you don't charge what may seem even to you to be at least a somewhat expensive or extravagant amount of money, THEY won't think you're product/service is that great, even if they've never seen it or had a bite. It's like it needs to be expensive for people like that to give it clout in the first place. I'm grateful because now I charge more for my cakes and I'm not killing myself for a measly $20 profit when I do a cake like I was when I first started. And I know that my cakes are worth it relative to my knowledge, experience and skills and market I'm going for, or I wouldn't be able to charge what I do with good conscience.
I'm sure it's the same with Toba Garrett.....she knows what her skills/time/talents are worth and to be a wise business woman and a great success IN HER MARKET she must charge accordingly, even if it's a little shocking to some. I know my prices have shocked a few people...it's happened right in front of me...LOL. That's only because the most expensive bakery down here hasn't ever charged more that $3.50/svg for a cake, and the avg. person around here thinks that's highway robbery....most of my prices are just a bit more than theirs. But the 'elite' or 'rich' in my area that have ordered cakes from me have never even flinched. They really don't care, they just want something fabulous that not everyone else can afford. IMO, it works the same in NYC, SF, LA, wherever, just on a different level. As someone else said...it's all relative.
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