I have been making cakes for family and friends over the past year to gain experience to one day open a shop. I have never taken a decorating class and I think what I can do naturally is close to what professionals can do. I've taught myself everything and I practice constantly giving away cakes all the time! I only recently started taking pictures, which I wish I did previously. But, anyway....
Recently, a friend thought it would be neat to learn what I am doing so she went to take a Wilton's class. She's making cakes for people and selling them and they are crappy!! She's advertising to the same people that I know and I'm not advertising, but I would like to have them as customers one day. Today, she posted a cake on her Facebook page and it had rhinestones on it and a rhinestone appliqué. It was just one of those peely bling things and I know those shouldn't be put on cakes!!! She's stuck other non-edible and non-food grade items on her cakes before. Should I say something to her about it and how would I go about that?

Don't say anything to her.

Looking at your photos, your work is nice and clean, very professional-looking. Do you live in a state that licenses home bakeries, or would you have to open a shop?

Where I live, home bakeries are illegal. Sometimes I am jealous of the people I see selling their cakes illegally...mostly, I'm jealous that they're comfortable breaking the law and that it gives them such an opportunity to practice their skills. There's one person who started advertising on Craigslist two years ago selling (ugly) three tier cakes for $40. She's built her business to the point that she's about to open a shop in an expensive part of town. It makes me feel like I'm stupid for not just going ahead and selling cakes...if I had started when she did, maybe I could have a shop now too...but I'm not a lucky kind of person, I would probably get ticketed and fined and any other sort of trouble possible would come my way.

If you're really worried about the food-safety aspect of your friend's cake business, then you might say something...but ask yourself first if you're jealous that she's doing what you have too much sense to do.

If it was me , no I would not say anything.. Let her get in trouble. And when she does, that is her problem. There is really nothing you can do about it. If you say something she would say that your are probably jealous and take it the wrong way. Here in CA , we cannot sell anything we bake at home and I know some people who make them at home and sell them. If they get caught, then they have to deal with the consequences. I wouldn't make it my problem..

Hi:

Don't worry about what she is doing, its not worth risking a fine, or knowing in your heart that you are not doing the right thing

If you do the right thing your time will come when you will be able have your bussines, God will bless you with more clients than you can accept.

Just keep learning more and practicing new techniques, everything will come into place.

I'm in FL and it's technically illegal for home bakeries. However, when I called to ask about it I was told that as long as I'm not publicly advertising, only selling to family and friends, and if I"m not making an amount that would require me to pay taxes on the earnings then they see it as a hobby. I was shocked at what I was told! In my mind a rule is a rule. So, I do not "sell" my cakes. Yes, I have people ask for specific cakes, and in those cases I do ask them to pay for the ingredients, any new supplies I may need, etc. But, I do NOT sell my cakes and I often make cakes and just give them away to friends or family for their special occasions. Part of what bother's me is that people are buying her cakes and they don't look good nor are they quality baked goods. Why wouldn't those same people ask me to make them a cake when mine are much better? (and I'm not just boasting people, I'm not a boastful person) I mean they're crooked, she doesn't know how to properly level it, the fondant isn't smooth at all, and she uses grocery store mixes and icing!! She didn't know there were other brands of fondant besides Wilton's, and Duff's since she saw it in Michael's, and she asked where I buy my fondant. What she does is put together a cake in a few hours and I spend all day long on a cake to make it as perfect as possible! We talk "shop" frequently and I cringe when she tells me what she's doing. As far as the $, I feel like she has more "respect" so to speak because she's charging for her cakes. A close friend of mine bought a birthday cake for her son from her and when I asked why she didn't ask me her reply was one she lives closer, well yes she does, much closer, and also that she felt she should support her "growing business" while I don't have a business yet and I will not be trying to open a shop as soon as her. "She's more serious" I couldn't be more serious, but I'm finishing my midwifery degree and while a cake shop is a dream my plan is to wait until I'm through with school and then we will open a family shop, my hubby like to bake, since I don't have time for more than one or two cakes a month right now. Even as a practicing midwife I'll have more time than I do now for cakes. It just irks me in all aspects of the situation! The only jealousy I have is that she's making money from the people we both know! My fear is that she'll open a shop and then in a few years when I open a shop she'll have mutual friends as customers and it will become a competition between us and change the friendships I have with those mutual friends. But, I can't imagine having a successful shop with the work she does now.
I guess now I'm just venting!! Grr!!

A lot of people use grocery store mixes and icing. I see nothing wrong with that.

It's hard to see someone realizing your dream before you do. Just because you make cakes, does mean that the people you know are obligated to buy from you when the time comes. From what you wrote, they are supporting her by growing her business, when your time comes, they may do the same for you.

If you are receiving money then you are *selling* a cake. *Selling* a cake is not defined by making a profit off it.

My question for you would be what do you think you would get out of saying anything to her? I think the best thing would be to keep your thoughts to your self.

There is plenty of room to have more than one decorator in town. If she isn't putting a great product people will figure that out. And some people won't care. To some people cake is just cake and not that big of a deal, especially if they aren't paying a lot for it. How many people buy grocery store cakes just so they can have a cake at an event?

I'm wondering why would they go to her and pay when they can get them for FREE from you.

I know how you feel. I am completely self taught and am struggling to get my business off the ground and I have a friend who went to culinary school. Her cakes are just awful, the latest one, a wedding cake, had poisonous flowers stuck in it and was crooked. I would have loved to say something. But I didn't. At this point, what good would it do? It only serves to make me sound bitter that she is getting more business than I am. When you look in the mirror every day you have to be happy with yourself, know that your products are superior, and have faith that someday the world will see how brightly you shine. It's what I have to tell myself.

So, if I buy a large turkey for a family get together and some family members "chip in" to help pay for it, I'm "selling" my turkey? Which, BTW, our family does this sort of thing all the time, hence the reason I do the same with cakes that I am ASKED to do. The ones I give to friends, I give away, it's a gift for their birthday, anniversary, or whatever.
The same thing applies to my husband who makes dry erase boards for some of our home school friends. They buy the supplies, shower board and wood trim, and he'll build it for them. He uses his own equipment, nails, glue, etc. He is not selling white boards. I disagree with this "selling" theory.

I do have considerate friends. I am blessed to be surrounded by an abundance of Christian families! But they're also loyal. If she were to open a shop and then I open one a year or so later, most likely they will not jump ship to order from me. It's just like how I have several friends who are Stampin Up Consultants, but I only buy from one. I feel like if I bought from someone else I'd be turning my back on the one that I've always worked with. Even though the others are friends, they understand this loyalty.
I feel like if I want to even have a shot, I have to start "charging" for my cakes.

Exactly what would you say and how would it benefit you? Do you value your friendship with this perosn?

A wise person once told me... "If in doubt, don't"

"you purchased it and family members are helping you defray the costs by offering to help you pay for it. At no time are you selling anything, you and your family are pooling resources to buy something"

This is exactly how I have "sold" those couple of cakes. I do use much of my own things. My own pans, my own electricity, flavorings, colors, tools, etc. as well as any ingredients I have on hand. The only thing they do is pay for what I need to make the cake they asked for. It is paid by family member or a friend, no one else.
My husband knows what to buy. how much it costs, and then the family gives him the money to buy the board and wood. They do not supply it themselves by delivering supplies to him because they have no idea what to buy or how to have it cut for that matter to fit it in their car. It is a donation. Of time, talent, resources he already has and service. The exact same thing with the cake.
As for the turkey, it's an ingredient basically just as if I were to buy a cake mix. I still have to dress it, make stuffing, stuff it, season it, and bake it. I put it all together for a finished product just as a cake would be. In one case of a cake my friend wanted the imprinted Happy Birthday cake she saw in my Wilton catalog. She physically went out and bought the mat for me. I used all of my own ingredients that I already had in my house. The only exception was the fondant, which I had to order. She paid for it. She didn't know what to buy or where to buy it, but I do, so I made the purchase for her. This is not selling!
I know the subject is a sticky one, but this is what I believe. I believe it is ok, and not wrong in principal, to make cakes and have family or friends pay for any item I may need. I am in no way breaking any rule. In my rule following, Christian mind, I do not have any guilt. I have made dozens of cakes as a gift vs. only a few that someone has specifically asked for and they pay for what I need to complete the project. So, no I am not selling cakes.

As for my original topic, I have no idea what I would say. I just wanted opinions. It was intended to be about speaking with her about her actually selling cakes, since it's technically illegal to do so, and using inappropriate items on her cakes. I've decided to only approach the topic of the safety of the inappropriate items and leave the business thing alone.

If she is a friend of yours, you should tell her that you found out it's illegal. It's a hard conversation to have, but one that should be had. If a friend knew I was doing something illegal and didn't tell me, I would be more bothered that my friend didn't tell me than actually getting caught.

I'm going to be in the minority and say you should tell her. Maybe she knows it's illegal, maybe not. If she's really your friend, shouldn't you be honest with her instead of setting her up for failure because you're mad at what she's doing?

How about suggesting she join Cake Central?

Chances are she will figure everything out for herself.

My sister has bought me more ingredients than I probably have. She always wants a cake for something or another. Not to mention my friends. If I need unsalted butter I will not hesitate to tell them to buy me some and I will make them a cake. This is not selling cakes.

Oh I would tell her. It is for the safety and health of the consumers. Speak the truth in love.

I have to say I was very relieved to see the tone of the posts change by the end. If she is your friend you should to do her what you would want a friend to do to you. Tell the truth. Maybe someday you two could be partners if her skills improve with practice.

Honestly, if you know she is putting non-food safe items on her cakes, take the high road and tell her. What goes around comes around in my book!

BTW...you make lovely cakes!

I agree with the latter posts. Forget the fact that she has a business and just query whether she knows some of the items she is using are not to food standards. And do tell her to join Cake Central - I've found it to be a great source of info, tips, etc.

CP x

Well, that sounds like a frustrating situation. It would be difficult to tell her -- stop selling cakes -- it's illegal and you aren't very good at it! It might be easier to say, "June, you realize it is illegal to sell cakes from home, right?" Or if what she is doing is not going to get her in trouble except for the advertising, then, "June, you know that the health department goes after illegal home bakers who advertise, right?" Or do the indirect thing -- "June, I'm dying to know how you got licensed to sell cakes. I always thought it was illegal for home bakers to sell in this state." If you often "talk shop" with her, this might work. (I kind of want to try that with a business around here that sells homemade chocolates where they advertise that they are made "at our kitchen table" which is ILLEGAL -- you can't use your domestic kitchen as a food production facility! -- although I'm more interested in finding out if the public health inspector actually cracks down or if we also have one of those situations where they let it slide if it is on a small scale. But admittedly I am also annoyed at them for not following the rules because it is awfully easy to look them up enough to know not to use your home kitchen). Those are about the only ways that I would approach the subject with her, and probably none of them are a good idea. Well, maybe for the poisonous flowers, you should actually say, "Jane, just for future reference, those are considered poisonous flowers."

What I would do, and I actually DO do, is tell people that I cannot sell cakes because it is illegal and I do not have a seperate licensed kitchen. (I also mention that people probably wouldn't pay what I would have to charge to make minimum wage -- but I throw that in so just in case I ever DO start a business they will be prepared for some sticker shock compared to grocery store cakes). So if someone asks why you aren't selling as well, tell them. At least then someone else is getting educated that illegal home bakeries are illegal. Maybe they won't care -- after all, the legal risk is on the baker, but maybe they will, or at least they will be aware of the difference when you open a shop or start a business. And quite frankly, if she is opening a shop but has all her customers used to cheap cake at no-insurance, no-licensing, no-overhead prices, she might be in for a rude awakening on pricing and how much her clients are willing to pay.

As for the turkey/cake debate -- for one thing, if you are eating the turkey too, then it's for your own consumption. It's a little different than selling it to a third party, in which case it probably would be illegal to make it at your home. But also, for some of these things, the LEGAL rule is not always the common sense rule. After all, LEGALLY a corporation is a PERSON and can own property and enter contracts. But it's just a bunch of papers filed and registered, so if you look at it in a common sense way, you would never think of that as being a PERSON. I know our home baking rules make some exceptions for "non hazardous foods" so I could bake bread to sell at a farmers market, but not cake. What's the difference, especially if it was an undecorated cake? That's just the rule that must have seemed best to whoever set up the regulations.