Grace -

You're thinking of Buddy Valastro, of Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken. He does awesome cakes.

Theresa

I'm so embarrassed for CC. Assumptions were made (as usual). I'm sure the OP is running, I would and I would tell anyone who listened about the experience. I'm sure this is what Jackie and Heath pictured CC of becoming one great day. Hopefully, there is one of us out there somewhere that is trying to build their business from bottoms up (everyone with a shop/business knows you all start at the same place---the bottom) who is looking to do a cake to start or help the word-of-mouth advertising that you all rely on. (And I say "you" because I can't do cakes like some artists here)
There is soooo much real talent out here and I would hope that we can judge people individually and not by the past bad experiences. I know I wouldn't want to be judged by someone I never even knew. This thread has made me sad, it's not funny, it's just sad.

WOW is all I can say! I had to open this thread when I saw the number of replies.

When I read the OP it simply sounded like going to a beauty school and having the students cut or color your hair to save money over salon prices. It's a win -win situation.

I have kept quiet for a long time about the snarking that goes on here. I have watched Duff be cut to ribbons, customers be shredded to bits. In one thread "we" are talking about how professional "we" all are, how our work is worth $X.XX per serving--how fondant costs this much to add--how gum paste is that much.

Then...in the next thread someone has an unhappy customer and boy oh boy are "we" quick to blame the customer! How DARE she expect something other than what we've given her for her $X.XX per slice. She's a b***th, she this..she that... blah blah blah... Ever think maybe the customer might have a legitimate concern? There are always two sides to every senario.

Where has the sheer joy of creating edible beauty gone? Why have "we" all gotten so caught up in tearing people down? I have always given people the benefit of the doubt. Long ago I adopted an attitude that if someone cheats, lies or steals from me-- I leave it up to God to take care of their motives.....it's so much simpler that way.

I slip away from here from time to time simply because of the vicious way things can be twisted. I don't have time in my life for trying to take typed words and figure out how they are out to get me.

I guess what I'm trying to say is.. "Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't."

If I were going to spend $1000.00 on a cake, I would have any member of this forum do it before I ever contacted Collette or Duff. I have seen the amazing work on this site, and I KNOW what you guys are putting in your cakes and icings, because you are proud of it and tell me via all of these postings.
That said, Duff and Collette, with no offense to their incredible talent, have NOT told me how fresh their cakes are, how tasty their MMF or BC is, or even if they made ANYTHING themselves. Their pricetag is related to their fame, not the taste underneath the glam, and boy do some of those cakes look like they go through holy hell before they are finally decorated.
Gimme a cake central cake anyday...I don't bow down to the cake gods...but I have a HUGE amount of respect for the talent in this forum

Pignola -

My apology for not mentioning this earlier - I just remembered something, which apparently many members of CC do not know about.

In the Links tab at the top of the page, you will find a listing of cake decorators and bakeries. Take a look in there and see if there is someone in the area which you want the cake to be delivered/picked up at.

I hope you find someone who can help you there.

Theresa

hard to believe you'd treat a potential client this way, no one even asked her budget....or what she had in mind.

I've found 2 in one day!

Jibbies

yet another reason why I can't come on this site barely anymore to read the forums.. I'm embarrassed that this use to be my favorite site...what happened to seeking the good in something FIRST!

I really hope you find someone "nice and honest" to do your cake Pignola...there are still cake decorators like that out there. and if I lived in your area I would surely do it.

I'm sorry that you've been treated roughly, Pignolia, but I can at least tell you where the hostility came from, because the same exact reaction is present in the art community.

You mentioned "building a portfolio."

I know, you were thinking that you could do some mutual backscratching, but professionals have been burned by that comment dozens of times. No reputable artist wants to work with someone who makes that comment, because 90% of the time, these customers just want to get something for nothing, in the very literal sense. The kind of person who usually posts that sort of comment, in the artist community, is excessively demanding, throws temper tantrums, and refuses to understand why you cannot physically produce what they want--and usually changes their minds enough times that you're going broke just trying to keep up with the supplies needed for what you want. And then in the end, most of the time they try to insist you can't use that piece in your portfolio because it's THEIRS. And the people who post those sorts of jobs usually CAN afford to pay for the piece, they're just too cheap to, and there is nothing more obnoxious than being used as slave labor, because that's the way this kind of person treats the artist.

It may be a stereotype, but I think that's the role you got pegged for from your opening post.

[WOW Everyone retract your claws, and take a chill pill (handing them out)
I come to CC for inspiration, help with cake issues, camaraderie, and to talk to others that share the same passion. This ladys post was not in the least demeaning to anyone, and I totally understood where she was coming from. If I lived in her area, I would gladly make her a cake, I am by no means a pro, but I do put my all into a cake, but am still in the learning stages. I would expect to be compensated for my time and costs, but no where near $1000!!! That being said, I agree with others that are finding it frustrating to have the threads turn so negative. Just my 2 cents.
Lori

I love cake central and it makes me little sad to see that a post of a potential customer for someone can be treated like this, I am one of those bakers that would like to build a portfolio, I am not cheap but I will not charge her $1000 for a kids birthday cake.

If I was in NJ I would have done your cake if you were to choose me.
Hope you find a good baker!

laynie

Everyone stop what you are doing, take a deep breath, and repeat after me:

Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

I honestly don't understand why people were being so negative.
What she was suggestin is exactly how I started my business. When I started out 'building my portfolio', when someone would ask for something I'd never done before or I was still practicing at, I would do it at a discount because I wanted the experience and therefore whould have something to add to my portfolio. They were helping me practice and giving me a reason to try something new.
When I needed photos for my brochures I contacted a professional photographer whose regular price was $1500, but he told me that he had never done that kind of photograpy before (he was a wedding/portrait photographer), therefore he would do the pictures for $500 so that he could have something to 'add to his portfolio' in case other similar opportunities came up.

Everyone on this board was a rookie at some point.
If you don't need the experience or had no desire to fill her request, there was no need to respond.
It was directed towards people wanting/interested in helping.

My question is this.... Is there an actual monitor for this forum/thread? If so, how in this world are some of the entries on this thread allowed?

It's absolutely the most embarrassing thing in the world. I thought we were all adults... "mature adults" at that... but obviously some people need to go get them some 'nice' pills...

I thought we were supposed to be a "family"... dang... I can hear this kind of devouring on Jerry Springer or even Maury... maybe we should have a section set aside for just this genre of discussion so that the ones that don't want to see it or be a part of it can avoid these threads and not accidentally wind up on "Cake Central's As The Stomach Churns"...

Does Heath and Jackie find this type of thread acceptable? or maybe even amusing? It's really kind of sad that people can pounce as fast as some have on here... Wow!!! Even my husband was reading some of the entries and he said.. "Dang... sounds like a 'cat fight' to me"...

What a lovely group of people we have here. Makes me want to invite more to the CC family... HA!

First- thanks to the kind women here in the forum who posted right in the thread, and to several of you who mailed me privately to express your disgust with the belligerent replies at the beginning of the thread.

One talented lady from this thread contacted me to do the cake, and I was ready to go with her, but then she had an unfortunate medical emergency in her family. She won't be able to do it.

So now I am stuck AGAIN At this late stage, I am sure most people are booked.


Bottom line, if you or anyone you know can do a cake for 70 adults,tiered for $250 or under - please contact me.

Ladies, once again like others have said before, make sure you are licensed before you accept the task!

Good Luck Pignolia!

pignola -

Send me a PM (see the buttons at the bottom of this message window) with the location you need in NJ.

I have some friends there who, depending upon where you will be, might be able to help you.

Theresa

I just wanted to thank everyone here again. The lady who had the med emergency in her family called me back and decided to go ahead with the cake. I really appreciate the responses I got back from others. I was about to commit to someone else when I got this phone call in the evening. I will definitely use her next time.

Thanks again!

I'm so glad it worked out for you!

Take care -

Theresa

Pignolia, please post of picture of the cake when you can. Would love to see what you were able to purchase.

Deb

ditto