Things Not To Ask/say To A Baker!

Decorating By step0nmi Updated 20 Oct 2016 , 2:28pm by ch5964

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Lizzybug78 Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 8:32pm
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A

Original message sent by SweetTzippy

A client told me recently that the "new trend" is cakes that are gluten free, low fat, low sugar and vegan even better.  According to her if I anyone intends to continue in the cake business that's the way to go. :x

If that's the case I'd stop baking tomorrow! Cakes are a treat, and unless there's a medical reason you can't have some ingredient people should either accept that or buy rice cakes instead!

I like how she, the client who has the occasional cake told you, the baker who makes cakes all day long what the trend was btw :-) It's a good job she's there to instruct you, who knows how behind the times you might have been without her insider knowledge... :lol:

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winniemog Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 8:32pm
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AThis "trend" or "fad" really frustrates me. Cake is special! It's not an everyday food. We can eat a little slice of delicious cake dripping in butter, sugar, wheat flour, eggs, whatever, once in a while and we WILL NOT DIE. It's pretty amazing, our bodies can cope with the onslaught of these foods without needing a detox or a starvation diet....

It's the people who want to eat cake every day who need it to be made of foam because it has to be fat-free, low sugar, low carb, etc, etc....cake is not an every day food.

Are people going to ensure the rest of the wedding or party menu is strictly fun-free too? Or have the caterers told them where to get off and they're just taking out their food fears on the poor cake decorator?

Sorry, I'll get down off my soapbox now.......

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Pastrybaglady Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 8:34pm
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AYou speak truth Mimi. If the cake business can survive low carb it can survive this other stuff. There's plenty of hearty folks who still want hardcore cake.

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Cevamal Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 8:38pm
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A

Original message sent by MBalaska

Or pipe some cream cheese right onto carrots & celery :duh:  & put [I]"Happy Birthday Joe"[/I] in tappits on top.

No cream cheese... Pipe some tofu on them.

A friend recently made some vegan no sugar (some honey) cookies.

They tasted exactly as good as they sound. :-D

One of her sons loved them. There's no accounting for taste!

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MimiFix Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 9:15pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Cevamal 

A friend recently made some vegan no sugar (some honey) cookies.

 

FYI - Vegan diets do not include honey. 

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Cevamal Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 9:40pm
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AHa! That's a good point. I don't know if the recipe as published included it or if it was something my friend added to try to make it more palatable (and if so, it didn't work ;-)). No worries, she wasn't feeding them to any actual vegans.

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Nanacakesdesign Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 11:08pm
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I'm so glad to hear it is not just me......I've been at this about 7 years part time........The things I've heard from my customers just amaze......

"Why is it so much, it's just cake" (talking about a cake that served 100+, with fondant cover and characters).   

I've had people send me a photo and say "how much would you charge for this cake" and you can tell THEY made it.  

I ran into a lady in Michael's craft store and she was reading the back of a Wilton fondant box.  HER friend wanted her to make a wedding cake, but not use buttercream so it wouldn't get on the dress....I'm thinking-.Just put the box down and walk away from the kitchen........:?

I've had people asked me for my cake, fondant and icing recipes.........

I've just received a deposit check for an October 4th wedding.  She apparently asked the groom to write the check and he post dated it 10/20/14.  Seriously.  Pretty sure he meant to write 9/20... at least I hope so.........:o

 

Most of my customers do understand the work and creativity that go into the cakes. 

I guess it's a balance (of the balanced and unbalanced! LOL):grin: 

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MBalaska Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 11:20pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by winniemog 

".......cake is not an every day food............."

 

Oh My, say it ain't so.......ha ha ha ha ha ha

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winniemog Posted 12 Sep 2014 , 11:52pm
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A

Original message sent by MBalaska

Oh My, say it ain't so.......ha ha ha ha ha ha

Perhaps I should have said "cake is not an every day food.....in enormous portions!" My in laws think a 6" round is just about a single serving.....guess that's why they all have issues with their blood glucose levels!

It's all a balance - I exercise so I can enjoy my food!

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hbquikcomjamesl Posted 13 Sep 2014 , 4:55am
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AActually, during most of my mother's last seven months in this universe (and certainly her last four), cake practically WAS an everyday food around here. I was doing my part to make those final months as pleasant and interesting from a culinary standpoint as possible.

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winniemog Posted 13 Sep 2014 , 5:21am
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AI did the same for my dad, including his favourite bright blue milkshakes! Anything that was calorie-dense and tasty, that was his diet! I think we had three Christmases in his last few months. Makes me smile, I was feeding him exactly the opposite of the "perfect diet" we are recommended to eat!

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DeliciousEmma Posted 13 Sep 2014 , 9:04am
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Quote:

Originally Posted by winniemog 


Perhaps I should have said "cake is not an every day food.....in enormous portions!" My in laws think a 6" round is just about a single serving.....guess that's why they all have issues with their blood glucose levels!

It's all a balance - I exercise so I can enjoy my food!

Ahhh... in-laws. I went on holidays with mine right after Christmas and you'd think we would have eaten enough on Christmas day but no... my MIL was at the supermarket everyday on her holiday buying so much stuff for us to eat (then complaining about the cost). They actually have this thing they call 'breakfast cake' because you guessed it, they eat it for breakfast. And yes, they have high blood pressure, health issues etc, but they think they'll live forever because their parents and grandparents lived to almost 100. But I bet those ancestors didn't have desk jobs and spend their spare time sitting in from of computers. They were out farming and walking 10 miles to town and probably ate cake a few times a year at special occasions only. I completely agree with you winniemog (and it feels good to have that rant off my chest!).

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jgifford Posted 13 Sep 2014 , 8:40pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanacakesdesign 
 

I'm so glad to hear it is not just me......I've been at this about 7 years part time........The things I've heard from my customers just amaze......

"Why is it so much, it's just cake" (talking about a cake that served 100+, with fondant cover and characters).   

I've had people send me a photo and say "how much would you charge for this cake" and you can tell THEY made it.  

I ran into a lady in Michael's craft store and she was reading the back of a Wilton fondant box.  HER friend wanted her to make a wedding cake, but not use buttercream so it wouldn't get on the dress....I'm thinking-.Just put the box down and walk away from the kitchen........:?

I've had people asked me for my cake, fondant and icing recipes.........

I've just received a deposit check for an October 4th wedding.  She apparently asked the groom to write the check and he post dated it 10/20/14.  Seriously.  Pretty sure he meant to write 9/20... at least I hope so.........:o

 

Most of my customers do understand the work and creativity that go into the cakes. 

I guess it's a balance (of the balanced and unbalanced! LOL):grin: 

 

Just FYI - - post dating a check means nothing anymore.  Due to the volume of checks that are processed by banks on a daily basis, they're no longer required to honor a future date.  If it's signed, it can be deposited. Yay for you.

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Cevamal Posted 14 Sep 2014 , 3:24pm
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AThis was welcome feedback because I was experimenting but it made me think of this thread:

"This icing is too rich and too sweet."

My husband on Indydeb's Buttercream with Nutella.

He's not wrong. It's a super sweet icing to begin with and I added Nutella which has a ton of sugar!

I had wanted to try the whipped cream Buttercream (Charlotte's?) but I didn't have meringue powder.

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mattyeatscakes Posted 14 Sep 2014 , 5:49pm
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A

Original message sent by Cevamal

This was welcome feedback because I was experimenting but it made me think of this thread:

"This icing is too rich and too sweet."

My husband on Indydeb's Buttercream with Nutella.

He's not wrong. It's a super sweet icing to begin with and I added Nutella which has a ton of sugar!

I had wanted to try the whipped cream Buttercream (Charlotte's?) but I didn't have meringue powder.

Try Nutella Swiss Meringue Buttercream! It's the bomb!!! Tastes like Nutella icecream! Silky and not too sweet :) delish

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owatto Posted 14 Sep 2014 , 9:39pm
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A

Original message sent by winniemog

Are people going to ensure the rest of the wedding or party menu is strictly fun-free too? Or have the caterers told them where to get off and they're just taking out their food fears on the poor cake decorator?

I'm getting married in four weeks and we met with our venue person the other day, and were discussing the menu. She said she had a couple who made all their 90 guests eat 4 courses of vegan food, plus sent them all home with slices of vegan cake!!

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winniemog Posted 14 Sep 2014 , 9:44pm
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AI can only hope there was a LOT of alcohol involved...it drives me to drink just thinking about that meal! I mean, I love vegetarian/vegan food from time to time but it's a lot to impose on your guests.

Good luck on your wedding. Will you please show us all the cake??! Where are you getting married? (Not that I'm stalking you of course.....)

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swishykitty Posted 14 Sep 2014 , 9:56pm
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I had a co-worker approach me and say " Oh, you make cakes, you should make my son's birthday cake.  He would like a viola."  Of course I should??!!

Then she went on to say it would be a simple sculpted cake, and it could look more like a violin it didn't matter, oh and she would pay something of course.

What??? I am a hobby baker, sculpted viola for the price of ingredients, best laugh I had all day!!!   Ranks up with a request from another co-worker last year who didn't want to pay the price of a Publix cake for her daughter's baby shower so would I do it and she would give me $20 for ingedients -umm, no thank you!

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Cevamal Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 2:07am
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AI'm LOL at the viola. It's okay if it looks like a violin? My daughter has played violin for three years and I still can't tell them apart except by sound or if they're side by side. I guess you were supposed to make it life size? Or maybe able to be played?

You "should" have jumped right on that opportunity!

[quote name="mattyeatscakes" url="/t/751860/things-not-to-ask-say-to-a-baker/2910#post_7549104"] Try Nutella Swiss Meringue Buttercream! It's the bomb!!! Tastes like Nutella icecream! Silky and not too sweet :) delish

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owatto Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 2:18am
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A

Original message sent by winniemog

I can only hope there was a LOT of alcohol involved...it drives me to drink just thinking about that meal! I mean, I love vegetarian/vegan food from time to time but it's a lot to impose on your guests.

Good luck on your wedding. Will you please show us all the cake??! Where are you getting married? (Not that I'm stalking you of course.....)

Yes I would hope a lot of alcohol too lol

I am getting married at Eagle Ridge Golf course (google it, its amazing) I'm not making my own cake...(I'm not silly, I know I would stress out!!) but I will post it after the wedding!

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indydebi Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 2:55am
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Quote:

I don't see any problem with that. Would you really expect a vegan to finance and serve a meal with meat? Would you expect steak at a Hindu wedding?

As long as it's done well I doubt the guests would even notice.

I can see that side of it but here's the other side.  If you were planning a dinner party and you knew one or two of the guests were die-hard vegetarians, wouldn't it be rude to FORCE them to eat beef?  Of course it would.  As a good host/hostess, we see to our GUESTS' pleasure.  We don't force our views on them and tell ourselves we did them right "for their own good".

 

I am not a vegetarian, so I serve meat.  But I also know that if my guests will have a good time, I should have vegetarian foods available for them to enjoy. 

 

Why, if we "force" people to eat meat, are we considered bad people, but if we "force" people to eat vegan/vegetarian, then we are heroes for" helping" them?

 

Bride/groom is hosting a party.  They have guests to take care of.  I find it rude to force people to eat food YOU like, with no consideration whether the guests like it or not.

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mcaulir Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 4:41am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi 
 

I can see that side of it but here's the other side.  If you were planning a dinner party and you knew one or two of the guests were die-hard vegetarians, wouldn't it be rude to FORCE them to eat beef?  Of course it would.  As a good host/hostess, we see to our GUESTS' pleasure.  We don't force our views on them and tell ourselves we did them right "for their own good".

 

I am not a vegetarian, so I serve meat.  But I also know that if my guests will have a good time, I should have vegetarian foods available for them to enjoy. 

 

Why, if we "force" people to eat meat, are we considered bad people, but if we "force" people to eat vegan/vegetarian, then we are heroes for" helping" them?

 

Bride/groom is hosting a party.  They have guests to take care of.  I find it rude to force people to eat food YOU like, with no consideration whether the guests like it or not.


 Well, it would be rude to 'force' anyone to eat anything. But there's a difference between providing food that people wouldn't ordinarily eat (meat to a vegetarian) and not providing something people do ordinarily eat (vegan food to omnivores). It's one meal. I'm the meatiest meat eater around, and I'm sure I could do without for one meal. I'm sure I could enjoy vegan food for one meal.

 

Why would you want to ask people who you presumedly care about if you're attending their wedding, to finance an industry (meat production/animal production) that they probably have ethical issues with, if they're vegan?

 

Why do we assume that vegan food won't be liked? I'm sure an experienced vegan caterer would do an awesome job of a vegan meal.

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bubs1stbirthday Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 6:17am
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Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaulir 
 


 Well, it would be rude to 'force' anyone to eat anything. But there's a difference between providing food that people wouldn't ordinarily eat (meat to a vegetarian) and not providing something people do ordinarily eat (vegan food to omnivores). It's one meal. I'm the meatiest meat eater around, and I'm sure I could do without for one meal. I'm sure I could enjoy vegan food for one meal.

 

Why would you want to ask people who you presumedly care about if you're attending their wedding, to finance an industry (meat production/animal production) that they probably have ethical issues with, if they're vegan?

 

Why do we assume that vegan food won't be liked? I'm sure an experienced vegan caterer would do an awesome job of a vegan meal.


I agree with you - when I first saw that the catering company had told someone else what was going on with the Vegan couple I found that to be really rude and unprofessional. As a guest of the Bride and Groom you are being welcomed to share their day not your own, if it makes the day more special for them to not have people around them chomping on animals and animal by products then so be it.

 

Anyone who feels that they would need either a meal with meat or copious amount of alcohol to enjoy their friends/relatives Wedding Day celebrations obviously doesn't consider the bridal couple to be very special to them.  

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winniemog Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 7:10am
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A

Original message sent by owatto

I'm not making my own cake...(I'm not silly, I know I would stress out!!) but I will post it after the wedding!

I think making your own wedding cake would be very stressful - it's hard enough making someone else's, imagine having to set it up at the venue and then race off it get ready! Very smart of you, i'd still love to see pictures.

And Eagle Ridge is lovely, I hope you have a great day!

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Lizzybug78 Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 12:28pm
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AI made my cake :-D We were married in Vegas and had our reception two weeks later back in the UK. I was finishing it off in my wedding dress 5 minutes before we had to leave. It wasn't quite as stressful though as if it had been the actual wedding, so I enjoyed most of it :-)

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cazza1 Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 12:35pm
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We had a small wedding (50 guests) and a small menu for people to choose from rather than a set dish placed in front of you.  One of our guests was, and still is, a die hard vegetarian, so one of our main courses was vegetarian.  The really surprising thing was that a lot of the guests went for this choice, even though most of them had not tried true vegetarian before and really enjoyed it. Keep in mind this was 31 years ago and a lot of people thought that vegetarians just sat down and ate a plate of vegies.

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lunawhisper0013 Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 12:54pm
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AWell, a lot of people have themes and so on for their weddings; dress codes for the guests and so on. If I was invited to a vegan wedding but didn't think the fare would satisfy, I would just get my burger or steak before the wedding, or after for that matter. And don't underestimate the power of proper spices on veggies and pastas. Yummy.

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SpeciallyYours Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 7:26pm
post #2998 of 3221

Quote:

Originally Posted by indydebi 
 

I can see that side of it but here's the other side.  If you were planning a dinner party and you knew one or two of the guests were die-hard vegetarians, wouldn't it be rude to FORCE them to eat beef?  Of course it would.  As a good host/hostess, we see to our GUESTS' pleasure.  We don't force our views on them and tell ourselves we did them right "for their own good".

 

I am not a vegetarian, so I serve meat.  But I also know that if my guests will have a good time, I should have vegetarian foods available for them to enjoy. 

 

Why, if we "force" people to eat meat, are we considered bad people, but if we "force" people to eat vegan/vegetarian, then we are heroes for" helping" them?

 

Bride/groom is hosting a party.  They have guests to take care of.  I find it rude to force people to eat food YOU like, with no consideration whether the guests like it or not.


Ditto!

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-K8memphis Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 8:01pm
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i just don't see a vegan meal as being that abnormal/abominable even if it's a salad and some hot steamed veggies --

 

i've had cauliflower dishes that rivaled the finest beef and perfect incredible french fries made from chick peas -- it's amazing what all veggies can do and i think the wedding couple should serve what they want to serve in the name of good health and fellowship in celebration of the new family not a time for politics -- it's about the couple imo

 

the b & g are paying for it too or their parents so they get to serve whatever they want -- no one is forced to eat it --

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-K8memphis Posted 15 Sep 2014 , 8:04pm
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and vegan cupcakes makers win on the tv show "cupcake wars" often -- vegan can be super good

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