Emma Chisit?!?

I often get emails asking "how much is a cake?"

Or "how much for this cake?" 

The answer isn't as simple as saying $$

Each and every cake I make is crafted especially for the occasion it is being used for. 

Yes you may see and fall in love with a stunning cake- but it may be unsuitable for your needs. 

It could be miles too big!(and while we all love left over cake) choosing a scaled down variation may still show off its beauty without being ostentatious at your event. 

At the other end of the spectrum, I'd be disappointed to quote a price for a cake that's too small for the occasion, only to then have to add in additional kitchen cakes (and expense) to cover the numbers. 

There's no secret underlying reasons as to why I ask the following in order to supply pricing- I truly need to know. 

The Date- I need to know when your event will be held, so that I can provide my availability to you. If I'm unavailable for your date then sadly I cannot help with a cake. (I'm always happy to refer you to someone who might be able to help instead too) 

It's not my business practice to supply quotes where I'm unable to accommodate the request. 

Your Venue- I ask this to know how suitable your design will be there. Whether or not your venue has air conditioning, whether it is an outdoor venue, and of course it's location for delivery can all possibly impact on the design. 

For instance- if you're having an outdoor marquee wedding in January a soft iced cake is definitely off the cards. And dependent upon the availability of aircon to store a fondant iced cake until just prior to the reception will also determine what's suitable. 

The last thing I would want would be for your cake to turn into a melted puddle on the floor. 

How your cake is being served. 

Whether it's dessert or token pieces will effect how much cake you need. 

Also if traditionally you wish to retain your top tier will also mean that you may need more cake to cater for your amount of guests. 

While I often hear "no one eats cake" I'd beg to differ. I have countless thank yous and feedback from past clients telling me how they didn't get a single piece of cake as their guests ate it all on the night. 

People will eat great cake :D

While only you will know your guests well enough to judge their appetite, It's also etiquette to provide a portion for each and every attendee. 

Thinking that "none of the guys will want dessert" and wanting to order a cake 30 portions short isn't a cordial approach. 

Your venue will want to cut enough portions to provide each guest with that course. Culling dessert for those you think may not want it is like only serving some guests an entree- because they would normally only eat a main meal. 

So when looking for a quote on the perfect cake you've found- remember to supply the information above for a speedy reply. 

Take it easy

SJ xx

Myth busted!

Are you ready to start planning your cake but feel overwhelmed from all the information? Where to begin? And what about everything you've  read/seen or been told by anyone who knows you're  getting married? And how do you stay within your budget?

Inquiring with your favourite decorators around 10-12 months in advance will give you a good idea of how much to expect your chosen design will be. Busy periods book up the fastest (Autumn and Spring, as well as any Public and School holiday weekends are most popular here in Brisbane) so it's always a good idea to get in contact early to secure the date.

Knowing the "theme" or "feel" of your wedding is an important part of deciding on your cakes design.  If you've chosen an elegant timeless venue and decorations, having an eye popping 4 tier Hot Pink and Purple Mad Hatter (Whilst may be completely fun) may leave your guests scratching their heads wondering how it fits in with everything else. 

Don't worry of you haven't decided every last detail, just so long as you have an idea of the direction you're headed in (with regards to styling) you'll be able to start considering designs. 

A week doesn't go by where I dont have a request for a "fake" cake to cut costs.

Unfortunately due to loads of misinformation clients are often lead to believe that choosing "Fake" tiers will result in a drastically cheaper cake.

The truth of the matter is that in most instances it won't make any significant difference.

With the exception of extremely large designs where the cakes itself  physically couldn't fit into a standard commercial oven! 

A Styrofoam (or Fake) tier still takes just as much time to cover and decorate as a baked cake (often more  due to it being so lightweight it is a bit more tricky to ice), the cost of the foam can sometimes be the same as a baked cake- when factoring in the foam cost plus a courier or time and fuel to have it delivered- sometimes it costs more.

Switching out an 8" round cake for foam certainly isn't going to save you any money- and in the end you will be left with a piece of inedible decorated styrofoam- Would you not prefer to simply have delicious cake leftover to eat instead?

When choosing the sizing of your cake you need to know what presence you want it to have at your reception. You need to considerthe space it is being displayed in. Does the room have really tall ceilings? Is it dark and intimate?

Do you want your guests to ooooh and ahhh over it? Do you want them talking about how Amazing it tasted and how they were so surprised by such a magnificent cake inside and out?
Or are you only having a cake because you feel you "Have" to have one for traditions sake? 

If your reasoning is because of the latter- then perhaps choose not to have a cake at all- there are no "rules" about what you must have, and personally I would much prefer to create a cake that my clients and their guests are going to love and enjoy rather than you feeling as though it is only there out of peer pressure.

Often clients are scared to disclose their cake budget to their decorator, when in fact disclosing your budget will help your decorator achieve a design that suits your needs and comes within the price range (and sometimes under) what you've accounted for. 

By letting the decorator know this he/she will be able to help (where necessary) make design changes to meet your limits, whilst creating a beautiful cake for your event. 

There are often alternatives that can achieve similar looks without as much cost. 

Use your decorators talents and knowledge wisely and you will end up with a magnificent centerpiece that you and your guests can admire. 

When deciding on a budget carefully consider how you'll serve the cake. If its being served as dessert, while you will require larger portions, you'll more than likely be saving on your event package. 

Here at Cake That! I offer a range of Baked from Scratch recipes to send your guests salivating over the menu to come. 

What better way to finish a beautiful sit down dinner than a piece of Salted Caramel and Roasted Peanut cake- with peanut butter ganache? Or a slice of rich Dark Chocolate Hazelnut and Sour Cherry Cake, or A tangy Lemon and Wattleseed White chocolate Mudcake? 

Are you hungry now? Hehehe

Complimentary samples are available at your consultation, and booked clients are welcome to continue to collect weekly sample on a reservation basis. 

 

So when you're ready to chat all things cake- get in contact :) I'd love to help create something stunning and wonderful for your special day

Keep Smiling

SJ 

Happy Easter!!

I hope you all had a fabulous Easter Weekend!!
I enjoyed a lovely break- relaxing with my friends and family.
It wasn't no baking for me though! I made some cupcakes and also some iced biscuits for fun.
Looking forward to getting back into cakes tomorrow.

Baby cakes

To be perfectly honest I worry about making kids cakes. It's not the designs themselves that I feel uneasy with- its the idea that I'm potentially taking a little bit away from the Childs parents.
When I was a child I had all sorts of creations from my mum. None of which (respectfully) were "perfect"- but each one 100% made with love.
I appreciate that we live in a time poor society- so I absolutely understand that- to many- outsourcing your little ones cake is just another load off your mind.
I get countless requests for kids cakes- many at the last minute- but sadly like any other order- each is baked from scratch- and needed to be ordered well in advance to secure the date.
Most of the children's cakes I do are for returning clients.
I was lucky enough to make this Christening cake for Baby Dominic last month.
A cute dusty blue cake compete with 3D lettering and a (if I do say so myself!) an adorable hand crafted sugar giraffe!
I loved this little figurine so much! He was just so cute!!
He stood around 15cm tall and was hand modeled and painted by me!
I am blessed to be able to make such beautiful cakes for my clients!
So do you love this cute as Baptism cake?