I would like some input please

[mrsppmrxky]

I think that most of you know that I bake out of my home for special diets. Celiac, corn free, diary free, yesterday I did an egg free cake.

I just had a very interesting phone call. One of the health food stores in the next big town over just called me. They had heard about me and wanted to know if I might be interested in baking a 'free cake' to give as samples next month. They are having a chef come do a GF cooking demo and they thought that if I decorated a cake to hand out as samples, along with a business card, that I would probably be able to get a lot of orders that way rather than just keeping my cards there on their bulletin board.

This might be a way to help supplement our income since my husband is disabled. (This would be an answer to prayer for sure!)

Anyway this is where I need you input.

If I were to decorate possibly 2 cakes. (1 yellow cake and 1 chocolate) Should I just do it like a child's birthday cake? If so, what is really popular with kiddos right now?

My husband suggested that I do a decorated cake and a pound cake.......

Thanks in advance for your input!!!

(The egg free cake that I did over the weekend I did with Sponge Bob on top.)
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[aklap]

Hey MrsP, that's pretty cool!!

I think I'd do one kids cake - to show you can do "fun" and one elegant cake - like a wedding type cake. That would probably show off the spectrum of your talents

Does you state have any rules/regs about cooking/baking out of your home? Here in WI we can't legally do it unless we have a licensed/commerical kitchen.

Good luck with your cake project!! Please share some pic of them.
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[celiacmaine-iac]

The idea of 2 sample cakes sounds good. I like Al's idea for a kid cake, and a more grown-up version. Do you by chance have pictures of other cakes you've done? You could put a small photo album together as a sort of portfolio that would give people an idea of the range of what you do.

I'm sure a lot of people would jump at the idea of being able to finally have a bakery style cake available to them again. I can't imagine how hard CD or other food sensitivities must be if you don't or can't bake. While this might be a chance to add some extra income, you'll also be making the world a brighter place for some people!

Best of luck!
Steph

[aklap]

MrsP - have you ever thought about putting up a website? Maybe you have already...
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[mrsppmrxky]

Al, I have wanted to do a website with pictures of the foods I bake, but so far, I never seem to have time for that. I am working on a corn free cook book since there doesn't seem to be too many of those out there. LoL

Our state has rules and to be 'legal' you should have a commercial kitchen. So far, I just bake for 'friends' from my celiac support group.

I would love to have a commercial kitchen, but we can't afford the 'rent' of the kitchen. You are not supposed to be able to have a legal kitchen in your home. I do not make enough from sales to even cover the electricty on a commercial kitchen, so I just do it as a hobby.

Steph, I do have a photo album for my cakes. I started 26 1/2 yrs ago, so I have quite a few pictures. I still have lots that have not been made into photos yet. They are on a computer disc somewhere. LOL

One day if there are enough hours in the week I might get my desk cleaned off to find the CD.

(I might be taking a trip to Germany to meet my new grandson that makes his appearance in late May. I want to spend about 4 wks with him. So that would be some 'down time for me.' My MIL promised to take care of MrP and not poison him if I promise to leave enough baked bread in the freezer. LOL)
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[aklap]

If you're going to be handing out cards and cakes at the HFS - that's gonna raise some red flags. I'd be careful...that's getting to be a bit "public"
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[mrsppmrxky]

True.
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[ostrich]

Hmmm, what about making a kid's cake and a plain cake? Or one with very little frosting? That way you can show off what the cake is like plain, or with all the trimmings.
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Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[toothpaste]

I like the idea of the birthday cake/wedding cake combination! Where would celiacs or people with other intolerances/allergies in most areas go to get a safe cake for their weddings?
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GF since May '07, positive blood-test results.