Anyone Ever Taken Credit For Your Cake?? (Semi-Lengthy Rant)

Decorating By JulieBugg2000 Updated 13 Jul 2011 , 8:24am by Dreamster

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JulieBugg2000 Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 1:23am
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So I'm a little irritated right now. I apologize if this gets long!

A guy I know works as a lifeguard at the local YMCA and asked me to make a cake for a function they were having this past weekend (it's the float cake in my albums). I baked and carved the cake Friday night, and was going to decorate Saturday. He offered to help, so he stopped by that day and I put him on fondant kneading/coloring duty and had him roll out fondant strings to make the rope that goes around the float. I did the rest.

The next day I noticed that someone had taken a picture of it at the event and uploaded to Facebook and tagged him in the photo, to which he had commented "my baby". Then he made the same photo his profile picture. Someone commented "I hope you didn't make this. If you did, you should drop out of school and open a bakery". Then a lady commented below that, "Yes he does, and the cake was good", and someone else added "the next cake boss!"... He's yet to say he had any help.

Although I have no solid proof, I'm pretty sure he went and told everyone that he made the cake himself and took credit for it all. Then he told me that his boss had requested him to make another cake for a birthday. All I could say was to tell him he "better start practicing", and then he goes and asks me to "help" with the next one if I "wanted to add another cake to my collection lol"... Grr.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but I'm pretty irritated right now. &%$#@?. That's how I feel about it right now. Am I right in assuming he'd taken credit for it or am I reading into it wrong? Has this ever happened to anyone else??

28 replies
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QTCakes1 Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 1:34am
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I think that would annoy anybody. Just don't do any more cakes with him.

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LKing12 Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 1:39am
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This sounds like cake blackmail! He wants you to create a cake for your portfolio so he can take credit for it. I would repeat for him to start practicing.

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cupcake_cutie Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 1:44am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LKing12

This sounds like cake blackmail! He wants you to create a cake for your portfolio so he can take credit for it. I would repeat for him to start practicing.




I agree with LKing12. Let him fall flat on his face. He'll learn. We all had to at some point. thumbs_up.gif

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gatorcake Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 1:49am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JulieBugg2000



Although I have no solid proof, I'm pretty sure he went and told everyone that he made the cake himself and took credit for it all. Then he told me that his boss had requested him to make another cake for a birthday. All I could say was to tell him he "better start practicing", and then he goes and asks me to "help" with the next one if I "wanted to add anotiher cake to my collection lol"... Grr.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but I'm pretty irritated right now. &%$#@?. That's how I feel about it right now. Am I right in assuming he'd taken credit for it or am I reading into it wrong? Has this ever happened to anyone else??




You actually do have proof he is taking credit. Whether or not he directly claimed he made the cake, he is letting people believe he did make it. He is gladly accepting their praise and not indicating the minor role he had in the process. So I don't think you are assuming anything, this is a pretty clear case of him taking credit for your work.

He may end up getting someone else to help on this cake, but this seems like a great opportunity for him to hang himself so to speak. Pity the boss for being snookered like this, but if his skills are marginal, it hopefully will become clear he lacks the skill to execute the design he is taking credit for.

It is cases like this where I come to believe in karma--kind of like the Brazilian player faking that injury in the World Cup--gives the U.S. the extra time to score the game tying goal and win in penalty kicks. Hopefully he gets his for taking credit for your hard work.

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Elcee Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 3:26am
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I just have to say...he must have some pretty idiotic friends if any of them think someone who's never made a cake before made that one! It's wonderful icon_smile.gif.

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cake_architect Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 3:48am
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lol i would comment on the photo "you did such a great job helping on my cake! next time i need an assistant again i'll be happy to give you a call icon_smile.gif"

that way you aren't saying anything false but you're making it known that you were the caker and he was the assistant icon_biggrin.gif

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CreativeCakesbyMichelle Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 3:50am
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I'd put my own comment under the facebook pics. Something along the lines of "I'm so glad you enjoyed the float cake that I made for your function. Let me know if you need anymore cakes made for you in the future." He'll probably delete the comments pretty quick but maybe at least a few of those people will see them before he deletes them and will start asking questions. And I sure as heck wouldn't "help" him with any other cakes. Let him fail miserably for his dishonesty.

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amberhoney Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 3:51am
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I hope you are posting photos of the cake everywhere taking full credit - but maybe thanking the imposter kindly for his small ( but invaluable! ) contribution. It would be hard for to continue lying about it if you have mutual friends on facebook!

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MelaMang75 Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 4:00am
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I agree with the ladies! I'd be tagging him in some photos of the cake and saying he was a great assistant! There's no way I'd let him help you again!!!

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nickshalfpint Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 4:00am
post #11 of 29

Same thing happened to me, but with my cookies. I was sooooooo pissed! I added a comment on facebook to let them know I made the cookies. It worked. I definately think you should do that.

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sweetcakes Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 4:02am
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have you posted your picture of the cake on your facebook page or on your website? You can tag either photo on FB with your name so the link comes back to you.

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Foxicakes Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 4:05am
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I agree. I would make a comment under it saying, "yes, you DID do a great job coloring the fondant and rolling out those ropes!! With a little practice, maybe one day youll be able to actually make the whole cake without any help. And if you're really nice, I MAY even share my recipe with you since everyone seemed to like it" And just leave it at that...

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JWinslow Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 4:15am
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I would consider posting a reply on FB but keep it simple. Something like:
WOW! When can we see your next cake?

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jo_ann Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 12:08pm
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I had the same thing happen with a cake. I had a wedding cake and firetruck grooms cake. My sons other half(I'm being nice because we are not allowed to swear here) offered to help. I had carved, did the supports and covered the truck in fondant. She painted the windows and put the decorations on it. It took her 2 days ( 4 hrs each day to do it) and then she posted it on fb. She said " A wedding cake my mil had, she made the wedding cake and I made the firetruck." I responded, you did a nice job putting the decos on the truck, thanks for the help."
Needless to say she won't "help" again.
And she never deleted my comments.

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LEHLA Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 12:27pm
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I wopuld also put a post under his saying thanks for your help coloring the fondant and if you ever need me to make another cake for you I would love you to help again! icon_smile.gif

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Texas_Rose Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 3:12pm
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Upload the photo to your facebook album, with a comment like "Thanks so-and-so for the help rolling out the fondant ropes, it was fun having an assistant," and then tag him in the photo.

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sweetflowers Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 3:47pm
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Definitely put the photo up and tag him. I had that happen to me also. I'm still steamed 8 years later! Chef took credit for my fondant figures ( 8 figures as main decorations) in a competition (teamwork allowed), after winning first place, he then bragged about his creation and sent a picture of it as xmas cards. My name was supposed to be on a card in front for the judges and all, which he conveniently left off. Needless to say, when he came asked for help again, I just laughed and said NO.

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just4myboys Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 4:40pm
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I would definitely tag his fb photos but I would also call the YMCA and talk to his boss regarding a follow-up call to make sure that everything went well with the cake and add something like "Im so pleased that you enjoyed my cake, it was fun having 'dudes name' as an assistant. Please think of me for your next event."

Don't let him get away with it!

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costumeczar Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 5:07pm
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I'd not only post your own picture, thank him for his minimal help, and tag him on it, but i'd also be too busy to "help" him ever from this moment on.

There used to be a pastry chef at a very upscale hotel here (the snootiest one in town) who would tell people that he made my cakes. I only found out because one of the girls who worked there saw a picture of a very distinctive pink and chocolate cake in my book and said "You made that? I thought that --- told me he did that one." I was furious, but at that point he had quit and left town to work somewhere else, so whatever.

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Cakeuhlicious Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 5:09pm
post #21 of 29
Quote:
Originally Posted by cake_architect

lol i would comment on the photo "you did such a great job helping on my cake! next time i need an assistant again i'll be happy to give you a call icon_smile.gif"




^^ this is EXACTLY what I would do. LOL especially to see if he removes your comment like a shady shaderson!

Does he actually like making cakes? He seems legitimately interested in helping. Maybe he really does want your help to better his skills. Perhaps he doesn't like baking but likes decorating. If it is a friend of yours, I would talk to him about what he likes and try and expand on it so he can do the cakes himself.

If it really bothers you, ask him to credit you when he posts pictures of YOUR cakes he helped make, because it helps your reptuation too. If he is your friend, he will understand and oblige.

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JulieBugg2000 Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 5:49pm
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Thanks for the kind support everyone!! I asked myself if I was maybe overreacting a little, but I couldn't help but be mad!

I ended up sending him a text to say that everyone seemed to think he did the cake all himself, and get back a reply that said "that's because they don't know who you are".. (Since when should that have mattered?!).. I didn't reply so he sent a couple more texts obviously trying to backpeddle his way out of it, and I ended up telling him that YES, I WAS mad about it, and that he should be able to understand why. No one would enjoy sitting back and watching someone else be praised for their work..

Early on in the conversation I also ended up posting a comment on the photo, "I'm glad everyone liked the cake, I put a lot of work into it." and thanked the guy for helping with it. He deleted the comment, texting me to tell me it was mean, then replaced it with a comment of his own letting everyone know I had done most of the work.

I'm still a little irritated, but I think in the end he got the point. Can't say I'm going to be baking with him again anytime soon though.

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costumeczar Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 7:19pm
post #23 of 29
Quote:
Originally Posted by JulieBugg2000


Early on in the conversation I also ended up posting a comment on the photo, "I'm glad everyone liked the cake, I put a lot of work into it." and thanked the guy for helping with it. He deleted the comment, texting me to tell me it was mean, then replaced it with a comment of his own letting everyone know I had done most of the work.

I'm still a little irritated, but I think in the end he got the point. Can't say I'm going to be baking with him again anytime soon though.




Well good! That text saying it was "mean" would have been the nail in the coffin for me. Forget it, dude! Go do the next cake on your own if you think that's so mean!

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QTCakes1 Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 11:05pm
post #24 of 29

Dude, what A tool!

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Adevag Posted 12 Jul 2011 , 11:45pm
post #25 of 29

If this was his first experience "being involved" in cake decorating and this was his attitude, then he definitely needs a lesson by making the next cake all by himself.
Then, hopefully, he will learn two things: how much hard work it is to really make it all alone. And also what happens when you get too greedy for praise you never deserved,. Because now he has to face the fact that he will for sure not live up to his boss' expectations (which is cake decorating on YOUR level).
Maybe then, he will realize he owes you a big apology!

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bakencake Posted 13 Jul 2011 , 12:03am
post #26 of 29

ugh! this happened to me too. I went the weekend before the party to a "friend's" house to help her with her kids cake. and by help i mean teach her how to make icing, how to ice and stack the cake, how to work with fondant and by the way, bring the fondant. Came over the day of the party to find the house filthy and her just starting to get the cake out of the oven. while she did her make up, cleaned the house and straighten for the party i was decorating the cake. I later found a picture of the cake on her facebook with 'the cake i made. had some help, just a little though.' under the pic. i never confronted her with it. we are no longer friends and this year she made cupcakes instead of cakes. btw the cupcakes looked like $#!T.

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Foxicakes Posted 13 Jul 2011 , 4:18am
post #27 of 29

The fact that he deleted your FB post thanking him for his help just proves that he had NO intention of giving you credit at all. He most likely didn't think that since it was posted to his profile by one of HIS friends, that you were ever going to see the picture. So, like the shady little twat that he is, he went along with it. And, truth be told, he was more than likely enjoying all of the praise too much to set the record straight on his own (again, he probably didn't think that you ever even know!). I guess he hasn't learned that as good as it feels to be credited for someone else's work, it feels a hundred times better when that work is your own! Conversely, when you are the one that deserves that praise, the sting of someone else accepting it is brutal. Quite honestly, I think that you should tell him that and I don't mean in an ugly way, just more of a "let me explain to you WHY I was so upset about it" way.
Friend or not, this is a perfect opportunity for this guy to learn one of life's most valuable lessons...

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pinklatte Posted 13 Jul 2011 , 4:24am
post #28 of 29

Same thing happened to me. My friend told me she was making a cake for her daughter's graduation. She asked me to make the fondant so I agreed. When I brought it over with the rolling pin and some other tools, she told me where I could roll it as she was making the cakes. We both covered the first tier and started decorating. Then she had some unexpected guests. She kept stopping in asking how I was doing. Being a nice friend, I said I was fine and finished not only the first, but the 2nd and 3rd tier as well. It was for her daughter and she said I'd get a lot of recognition plus potential clients. Later on I found out she took full credit for the cake. She keeps mentioning people asking her to make cakes and how she keeps turning them down because she is too busy. I just smile and tell her she should do it. I just don't offer any help any more.

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Dreamster Posted 13 Jul 2011 , 8:24am
post #29 of 29

I would have been so mad - how dare he take the credit.

I'm glad it worked out in the end though and that you got the credit you deserved.

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