I love to decorate cakes, I'm no longer a legal cake decorator due to a recent move and 4 little ones that fill my day with joy. The newest being 3 weeks old. So to the problem - my daughter just turned 5 and due to the very small apartment and the new baby I ordered her cake from a local cake shop (we traded services). I was shocked when I picked up my daughters cake it looked horrible - well horrible might be to strong. It looked like someone who had finished the first course in wilton tried their hand at a 2-tier cake. The cake leaned , the icing was 1/4 inch thing to 1/2 inch thick depending on the area. The cake was had no dowels or supports and the designed was not followed at all. To make matter worse the cake decorator was late finishing it and I didn't mind that but I got a call that I could pick it up but she would not be there just someone washing dishes - no box. Should I confront her - not to tell her she needs to make a new cake or that shes horrible but to try and help her better her art. I really can't believe she owns her own shop.

Ouch. That sound terrible. My sister ordered a cake from a big grocery store and had a similiar problem with the cake not looking right. I told her, after seeing pictures, that she shouldn't have paid for that because it looked awful.

Maybe you could get a contract as a cake consultant?

Christy

I don't know that I would offer advice....it might not be wanted.
And not sure how you could offer advice on that without offending her.

I think if I were wanting a job there I would 'feel her out' before I got involved in a discussion like that.

If not wanting a job, leave her be. She'll soon discover her cakes aren't up to par.

I make cakes from home myself. I did one for a customer that turned out HORRIBLE...and I do mean HORRIBLE!
I made a nice one and took it to her but also GAVE her the one that wasn't right. She had a room full of men and they did eat it. It looked like poop but tasted good.
I don't expect someone to pay for my cakes if they're not happy with them.

Thanks for your advice. I don't want to offend - thats why I asked for advice. I was just shocked, especially that she didn't know how to support her cake. But like I said I don't want to offend and I'm not looking for a job so I guess I will let her be. I do wish her the best of luck and I appreciate both of your help.