The last week in May I had a delivery ( the teal heart cake in my photos) at a country club. When I arrived with the cake, the server was in my way and we had to hold the cake for about 5 minutes till she decided to move out of the way. When we finally set the cake down she walked around it like she was some army sargeant inspecting it and she was a rude person. I took my photo as proof the cake arrived on time and in one piece. I immediately emailed it to the bride. I always email the photo to my client when he or she is not present to see the delivery for liability reasons. Not expecting a response, the bride emailed me back happy about how it looked ( it was not my original design she sent a pic). When I got back into the car, I was a bit disturbed by the server thinking she was a cake expert and just thought she was curious to see the cake.. no biggie ... Later that evening, I got another email from the bride telling me that everyone loved the cake and it was awesome.
So today I had another wedding cake delivery to the same place (the cake is the orchid one in my photos) When I got to the venue they didnt even have the cake table ready so once again we had to wait. The same server was there, this time I had my delivery guy wait in the truck with the cake until I gave the go ahead to bring the cake in. While I am waiting for them to set up the table, the same server from the last wedding delivery announces in front of the whole staff, that the last time I delivered the heart cake, it was a mess. The cake looked like it was leaning backwards, and it was one of the worst cakes she saw delivered to the clubhouse, but lucky for me the bride was barely out of high school so she didnt know better. I was shocked!!! Who the heck does this lady think she is?? The queen of cake??? It took all I had to not to go off, but I tried to act professional and just said, "thats strange, I received nothing but compliments on that cake."
It gets worse... so they finally get the cake table set up and I have my guy bring in the cake. The server then proceeds to walk around this cake and inspect it again. Then she looks at me and says.. .the cake is not stable it is leaning backwards. um HELLO.... the cake was perfectly stable and not leaning backwards.Ok I couldnt help myself after this... She is lucky I didnt put her face in the cake by this point. I looked at her and told her to get her eyes checked because the cake is fine. She then goes to the other servers and starts whispering behind my back to them.One by one I have different servers coming up to inspect the cake while I am putting on flowers and the topper. I told the manager that I had an issue with that server the last time and didnt appreciate her attitude. The manager blew me off saying she was not working the last wedding so she didnt know what happened. I am so mad. I have gotten 3 wedding referrals from this bride all of whom were at this wedding today. The last thing I need is for them to here this lady talking about me or my bakery. So at the same time, I am worried she will be bad mouthing me all over town because of this. It is a small town and I am nervous. My husband thinks I should write a formal letter of complaint about her to the supervisor, but I am thinking I should just leave it alone... I feel this will only blow it up and make it hard to deliver to the venue in the future. Sorry for the rant!! Thanks for letting me vent!

I don't really have any advice, but I noticed you'd had 100 views and no replies, so I just wanted to say sorry you're having to deal with this.

Any chance that the server does cakes too and is trying to run off possible competition?

I recommend that you write a brief letter describing the two incidents, to the venue manager. The issue can't be minimized or ignored if this formal documentation is initiated.

Your business reputation is at risk, and you need to protect it. The server must be made aware that if she continues to spread falsehoods about your work, her job will be affected, or she will be faced with a slander suit. Once the venue receives your letter, they will be very quickly aware that they share some liability in allowing the slander. They'll need to do take some sort of action. You don't have to put up with someone trying to maliciously destroy your reputation and your livelihood.

Best case scenario: the server stops slandering your work and is very careful about who she talks with about it. Worst case scenario: the server continues to tell lies about you, which she's going to continue doing until something happens. She's getting more bold and blatant as it is.

I'm only a hobbyist, and I'm certain there are issues I haven't considered. I'm hoping the many wise businesspersons here on CC will offer their suggestions.

If you write a draft of a letter to the venue, post it here. You'll get lots of good suggestions and feedback about how best to word it.

Good luck to you.

Agre with Dawn, it seems to me that this woman thinks shes above reproach and that her opinion is the only one that counts and people like her need to be brought back to earth with a thud! I would bet money that your not the first person shes done this too as she is very bold as has been said already, which to me indicates shes been at this a while.
She needs to be put in her place and made aware that shes a server and not a food critic and that her job could be at risk if she continues with her childish and foolish behaviour.
Dont let her petty jealousy knock your confidence,your cakes are gorgeous.

Dear Ms. Server,

Jealous much? If you were awesome as I, you'd be the one delivering these artistic masterpieces instead of plating them for others to enjoy. Have a nice day.

P.S Get some skills.

Two cakes leaning backward? Sounds like the table or floor is not level.
The server obviously needs to get back to her own job, and leave the critiques to your customers.
Is the manager also the owner? If not, write to the owner instead. The manager seems aloof about the problem.

Theresa

thank you all for the responses! My husband agrees with all of you also. I may write a letter or may a quick phone call to the owner of the club. The manager there was no help yesterday so I will go higher up, in a nice professional manner. I appreciate the advice!

I would do the letter, simply so that they have it in writing.

I would do the letter also. People seem to get more defensive in person. Of course he may be receptive to speaking to him, but a letter would also be proof of your concerns, verbal would be your word against his (or his employee). A letter would give him a chance to read it and absorb what was being said.

I am really sorry you had to deal with this! it is so sad that as adults people have no respect for others and treat them badly or threaten them. Especially as fellow bakers, we should all be friendly, there is enough clients out there for everyone. I also had to deal with this in my town, jealous mean people I have chosen to ignore and keep on caking. Not everyone grows up after high school it seems, or even over 40 rather. I just wish all bakers would realize were all in this together to learn and have fun at the same time.

I tend to fight fire with fire -- she's bold, brash and nasty -- guess what, two can play that game. Write the letter (official on letterhead) to the manager AND the owner, with a copy to your attorney. Make sure they understand this is a warning and you WILL be going to an attorney over this if this continues. Then mention you were very disappointed in the unprofessional nature of their staff -- that gets them every time! If you are so inclined, include pictures of both cakes to further your case -- let the owner see the cake for himself! I'd end by telling them this is a regrettable incident and you are very disappointed it has to go this far but if the manager had done their job to begin with, owner would never have had to receive this letter. In short, be polite, be professional but take no prisoners. Go get 'em girl!!!

Looking at the pix of the two cakes I do see some minor flaws most ordinary people would not see. Without pix from different angles it is hard to tell *for sure* that there is no leaning.

Do write a nice, short, business like letter to the owner. They need to know what is going on.

I think you should write a letter to the venue mgr too! Maybe if the mgr understands that servers that abuse the bakers equals brides not being able to contract cake bakers for their venue choice, maybe the venue mgr will catch a clue. I'd expect some kind of action because the server's behavior is outrageous.

I think you should write a letter to the venue mgr too! Maybe if the mgr understands that servers that abuse the bakers equals brides not being able to contract cake bakers for their venue choice, maybe the venue mgr will catch a clue. I'd expect some kind of action because the server's behavior is outrageous.

Whether the cakes actually leaned or not, it was not the servers place to state it and definitely unprofessional to blurt it out to others...unless, the server was the one having to sign the paper accepting delivery. Even if the latter was the case, that should've been handled between just the two of you.

The server didnt sign anything. I always take a photo at the venue and email it right then and there so it has a time stamp to show the cake was delivered on time and in one piece. My thoughts were exactly the same, it is none of her business. It was not her cake(s) to judge. I am FAR from perfect with caking, but I try hard and put my all into my cakes and regardless of her thoughts, in my opinion it was just not her place to even say a word. The more I dwell on this the angrier I am getting LOL. I am drafting the letter tonight. Thank you all for your advice!

I'm glad you're writing the letter. The venue needs to know how badly that server is reflecting on their business. Her attitude and mouth have the potential to not only hurt your business but theirs as well and the manager you tried to talk to didn't seem to grasp that. Hopefully your letter will get to the right person who will shape up that server or show her the door. Let us know how it turns out!

i always take a level with me to the venue when i deliver just to make sure the table is level. perhaps she can work on leveling the table so it doesn't look like anything is leaning. )

I'm English so please forgive my ignorance but you guys call wait staff servers is that right? Because if she is just a waitress this makes me even madder. There is nothing wrong with waitressing as a living, I did it for most of my university time but if I had ever dared to mutter even the slightest negative about a vendor in the same industry I would have been out on my backside. I've worked silver service in high end venues and reputable businesses would never allow staff to create a situation where reputational risk was involved. Stick to your guns and get the little madam put in her place. She gets paid to serve the establishments customers, not to criticise their choices. As much as she has insulted you, she has equally insulted the bride for giving you her business. Good luck and keep us updated.