Hi there!
I don't have a shop, but rather do cakes out of my home. I have a love for the "pastry arts", and am just getting rolling in the wedding cake biz. I was hoping that some of you "pros" would take a look at my work, and see what you think? I'd like honest opinions on whether or not I could make it in this industry - someday I'd like to open a shop with my husband who went to the NY Restaurant School. Our dream is to open a NY deli kind of place - a small restaurant, small prepared foods section, and a small bakery.
Thanks for your opinions!
~Lisa
http://www.CakesByLisaF.com

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 12:11 pm: Edit

That's damn good, be careful with the home baking thing, might get you in legal hot water!
If that's all your work you should open a place and, your prices are too low!!!!!!
Good web site
Good luck!!!

By Lkfarkas (Lkfarkas) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 01:07 pm: Edit

Hi Manny,
Thanks so much for your opinion. Yes, it's all my work. When you say legal hot water, you mean with the health dept, etc....or, with clients? I haven't had any problems with the health dept, or otherwise contacting me...but I don't go above and beyond to advertise either. Someday, "when the kids are grown", I'll have a shop....but for now I need to be home with my little boy. *Smile*
In saying my prices are too low - we live in a small rural area about 1 hr south of Indianapolis, in Bloomington. (Home of Indiana University, if that helps any.) I'm more costly than my only bakery competition, but wonder how much more I could get away with.
Thanks again,
~Lisa

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 01:14 pm: Edit

With both, health dept. and if someone gets sick or says they got sick from your product but, if you have not had a problem so far.......
Re: the prices, ok, I thought you were in NY!!!!
Being with the little one is definitely more important!...the business can open any time, they'll only be kids once!
God Bless

By Jonesg (Jonesg) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 01:39 pm: Edit

Nice clean work. Very nice.

I charge a minimum $750 plus delivery of $75 to $125. We started in my partners apt 20 yrs ago.
I went to a minimum to prevent the clients from backing me into cheaper cakes,

"we're having 120 but you can make it for 50pp"

The biggest thing I ever did to ensure I'd get my price was to hire a salesgal, she gets 10% and she is getting me 50% more than I ever charged, so she pays for herself and then some.
She doesn't work here, I give the client her cell number or just take their number and she calls them asap.