Cake stall tips

mumto1_2

have you priced out your costs? No point in charging £1 a cupcake if you aren't going to make money..... that's the point, isn't it?

Weigh out everything - salt, flour, baking powder etc and cost it out for each recipe and how many portions you get out if each then decide what to charge - 3 x the cost is the minimum to make a profit - because then you have to add in electricity/gas, equipment, petrol, parking charge if applicable, stall cost, something for your time, public liability insurance (please tell me you have some if selling food!), business rates on council tax, car insurance. It isn't just 'what I want to charge'. You may find that people will pay more than 3 x the cost if your food is very good - in looks and taste. But if they won't pay that, then you need to think of something else to make to sell.

7 years ago I priced out 12 cookies - various recipes - + I would have had to charge between £2 - £4 depending on what went in them, and they will be more now..... this was using butter and real vanilla etc.. but still even with out them, not much cheaper, really.

There is a cake stall at several local markets and he sells - as he makes very large quantities for several markets each weekend - cakes between £3 - 5 - and half cakes as well; cupcakes are £1.50 etc. BUT he gets all his ingredients from a catering supplier - so much cheaper esp for volume - than I think you would be able to get right now.

Was a chef for 14 years and looked into doing this too, more cookies at the time, but... without a commercial kitchen not financially viable long term.

mumto1_2

And don't go mad making stuff this time around - as it's your first one... many regulars will be wary of buying, so be vocal, offer samples - cut up a cake into very small pieces, and yes, lots of business cards - look as professional as possible.

katiecake_2

Hi mumto1, firstly, yes I do have insurance, don't worry!!! I have priced out all my costs as I've been doing bespoke celebration cakes for a while, including all the hidden costs people don't think about and weighed out ingredients etc, I just never know what to add on for profit. How many of what to make is the next big dilemma - but I think you're right I'll not make millions! It's a one off two day fete I'm doing rather than a regular market stall so I won't be able to get much of an idea what's going to sell until it's too late!

mumto1_2

Cost of ingredients x 3 at a minimum. I've priced out stuff and realized people will pay much more than that - but 3 x cost is the starting point. There's a tea shop in Cambridge that charges £2.00 a cookie.... that I costed out at 15p when I worked there .......... SO... use your judgement as well.

I'm glad you know how to work out all your costs - many start out in cake-making and dont'... and get in trouble as they spend far more than they will ever earn.... and I'm sure you know, friends will never tell you that your cakes are just OK, or your prices are too low/too high. They always say , oh, yes, they are wonderful.. yes, I'd pay that... but customers will!

katiecake_2

I realised my pricing schedule needed revising when someone gave me a voucher in with a thank you card, and a note saying she couldn't live with the price I'd charged her because she felt it was nowhere near enough!!!

3x cost is a good idea - I've got baking parchment, gas etc etc all in with each individual calculation but that does make it a bit complicated (I stopped short of adding on for soap and dishwasher electric individually ha ha!!) so ingredients x3 might be a simpler way to work it out

mumto1_2

But don't forget to go higher if you think the product is worth it and it will sell.

miss-coordinated

Oops, I lost track of this thread!
Katie your cake pops lok gorgeous!
I love the colours, I'm definitely going to try making my own colours (I confess, i am very much addicted to Candy Melts, but the colours are limited)
How much did you sell them for in the end?
I would sell at at least £1 each I think- though it depends on the size, mine are about golf ball size- plus I love in London which I guess makes a difference (saw some in Selfridges last week they were £2-£2.50 each)

I saw cookie pop sticks in my local cake supply store- they looked exactly the same as the lolly/cake pop sticks- the white paper ones, though you've made a good point about them burning whilst the cookie cooks, perhaps that might be the difference, maybe they have a coating or a higher temperature tolerance, I'll have a look when I go back (booked myself on a cake decorating course there in a few weeks time! )

Pics to follow

katiecake_2

Thanks miss-coordinated! The fair is this weekend so I haven't had to take the plunge price wise yet, but I'm thinking 75p for the plain ones, or £1 for sparkly/dipped/cherry ones (I recommend the cherry ones, just a glace cherry in the middle but very successful!). I'm in Durham, so not London prices but high compared to some places I suppose.

I'm avoiding candy melts for that very reason - I suspect I'd love them and end up as addicted as I am to the edible glitter!! The powders worked a treat but without a potful in it I guess it'll be pastels only!