​

Kasserina Cakes is registered with and approved by the Food Standards Agency with a 5 star rating.  Kasserina is insured.  Food safety, allergen and Covid security training is verified by certificates.  Kasserina Pays tax on earnings

​

ALLERGIES, FOOD PREFERENCES, AND INTOLERANCES 

​

Please advise Kasserina in advance and asap of any allergies or food intolerances.

​

Food preferences can be catered for.  We advise any vegan cakes to be kept away from dairy based cakes, to be served with different utensils and we would absolutely bake and box these separately.  Any contamination would render these item unappetising to your vegan guests and could cause them to be unwell. 

​

Unlike many other bakeries, all of our cakes are vegetarian.

​

While we are always extremely aware of allergen contamination, and make every effort to ensure strict guidelines are adhered to, we do use use ingredients such as nuts, alcohol and gluten flours in our kitchen and some ingredients used may have been prepared in environments where allergens were present.  

 

Please do make us aware of any allergies or dietary requirements in advance of your cake being made and we will endeavour to cater to your needs.  Your guests should be asked in advance, by you, if they are likely to have any adverse reaction to ingredients or decorations used in the cake.  This should then be communicated to Kasserina in a timely and appropriate manner.
 

Gluten: As with all other cake makers who are not GF only, we cannot accurately claim my cakes to be "gluten-free" because they are not made in an entirely gluten-free kitchen. This means that while we can happily make cakes with GF flour (which are fine for guests who have a mild gluten intolerance) they would not be suitable for guests that have Celiac Disease, a serious auto-immune related condition where any exposure to gluten can cause ill-health. Products for Celiacs should only be sourced from a specialist gluten-free supplier due to the dangers of any gluten being present. If there exists any doubt at all, we strongly advise to err on the side of caution.

 

Nuts & seeds: we do use nuts and seeds in my kitchen so we cannot absolutely guarantee elimination of transfer.  Nut oils are especially difficult to completely eradicate.  Additionally some ingredients used may have been prepared in environments where allergens were present.  You would need to discuss this with your guest (or an adult with responsibility for them) so they can make their own decision on whether it would be safe to eat the cake, and inform the people serving the cake on the day.  If there exists any doubt at all, we strongly advise to err on the side of caution and that the cakes should not be consumed by guests with nut/seed allergies.

 

Please note:  persons with nut allergies may react to being in close proximity to food that contains nuts (via airborne particles).  You should always consult your guests with nut allergies beforehand to check their safety will not be compromised before ordering a recipe that contains nuts.

 

The risk factors posed by certain kinds of fresh flowers or foliage form part of Kasserina's food safety policy.  Due to the risk of adverse reactions that some guests could experience from contact with some commonly provided floristry materials, there are some kinds of flower and foliage that cannot be placed on your cake (even if they may be commonly seen on-line in photographs of cakes from around the world). This safeguarding includes a responsibility for clients to ask guests if they could have an adverse reaction to any plants present.  

​

Kasserina's priority is the safety of you and your guests and the use of fresh (or dried) flowers that could impact on this is led Food Standards Agency advice and current expert advice. Our research on this matter is consistently refreshed and follows best practice. Kasserina reserves the right to refuse to use anything if it is suspected that it could in any way endanger the health of you or your guests. Please refer to the FRESH FLOWERS section on this page for further details.  

​

Please be aware: although we make every effort to be consistent in minimising the risk of contaminants, we are often reliant on supplies that may have been produced, packaged or distributed in areas where allergens such as nuts, gluten, lupins, soya, eggs, dairy or fish may have also been present.  As with every other food business, we can regretfully never be 100% sure that nothing we use has ever come into contact with these things.  

​

​

​

FRESH FLOWERS

​

Kasserina does not provide fresh flowers or foliage, unless specifically requested to do so.  We are simply not best placed to do so, cannot offer the competitive rates of a professional florist and have no chill room available to keep flowers, etc at their best.  Fresh flowers, etc. should be sourced and paid for directly by you, with your florist.  Kasserina can of course liaise with the supplier re. the details though. 

​

Kasserina arranges the flowers on the cake using food-safe consumables, so preserving the food chain, good practice and safety of your cake.  No other person will be permitted to arrange flowers on our cakes for this reason.  Kasserina’s fees for this service cover costs including additional time on site, liaising with supplier / florist, research, admin and the purchasing of food-safe consumables, including single use stem protectors. 

 

Please bear in mind that any floral materials provided should be of a good quality, and that not all flowers or foliage are suitable for use on a cake due to toxicity and contamination risks.  Should the floristry provided not meet current safety guidelines, we will be unable to use it on your cake.

​

As you can appreciate, although we're happy to arrange flowers / foliage on your cake, the choice of blooms is up to you, within safety restrictions, so you would need to check with your guests that they are not allergic to any plants that might come into contact with the cake.   

 

If your florist is supplying fresh flowers and foliage, please ensure that they know to provide Kasserina with full stemmed flowers, in good condition, cleaned appropriately, pest free, unwired and kept away from contaminants.

 

There should be an appropriate number of good quality flowers available to create the arrangement you have chosen.  This includes both the headline flowers and the smaller flowers or foliage required to provide cover for the stems and stem-protectors required. Some wastage should be expected in order to create a pleasing arrangement . Foliage and flowers for the cake cannot be simply “what is left over” from the other arrangements. Your cake is a focal point and the flowers provided should reflect this.  

 

Fresh flowers and foliage MUST have been kept as clean as possible and be in no way toxic / poisonous / allergenic / contaminated.  Kasserina cannot be held responsible for identifying plants provided, for any pests or unseen contaminants that could hitch a ride, nor for any adverse reactions experienced.  We are not botany experts and cannot reasonably be expected to be.  This safe-guard is the responsibility of the commissioning client via the florist who has been commissioned to provide appropriate materials to be used on a consumable product.   

 

Safe-guarding against toxicity and advising all parties of any potential issues remains primarily the responsibility of the commissioning client.  This should be fully addressed by them, in advance, with their florist and the results of any and all communication regarding this should be shared with Kasserina, preferably in writing via email.  Any adverse result of a lack of communication on this matter categorically does not rest with Kasserina Cakes or representatives of Kasserina.

 

Please ensure that your florist understands that, by providing vegetation for use on a cake they are subject to the FSA’s food contact legislation 1935/2004 (including 2015 amendments), and are responsible for identifying any toxicity / contamination issues, taking measures to avoid them and advising all parties of any issues and measures taken.

​

Please refer to the ALLERGIES section on this page and go to https://bit.ly/3fLfKEQ for further details.  This is also specifically referred to in the client checklist for cakes it applies to.

 

For reasons of public safety, we reserve the right to refuse placement of vegetation on the cake if we feel there is a risk of contamination or toxicity.  Even if other suppliers have a different opinion on the matter, Kasserina's primary concern is to adhere to public health legislation and to ensure the safety of the client and their guests.  We would be remiss in this regard if we were to ignore any safety concerns.

​

Please ensure you have read all the advice and information given by Kasserina.  If you have any questions, please do let us know asap.  Last minute changes may not be possible and Kasserina's decision on matters of safety must regretfully be the overriding decision.  Public safety cannot be compromised, even by the commissioning client.  

 

Kasserina is bound by the terms of the Environmental Health Office, by Food Standards Agency guidelines and by food safety legislation.  Any other considerations must be deemed secondary.

 

Any conflicting advice from any other supplier or person, such as a florist or a venue, does not supersede Kasserina's terms of service.  Kasserina's cakes are provided according to consistently updated safety protocols.  No other supplier or person is qualified, insurable or trained to advise on this.  If the supplier or person in question does have new information regarding the safe use of a flower / foliage you would like on your cake, please ask them to contact Kasserina directly.  I will happily either update my databases or advise them on the known risks using the results of acknowledged scientific studies and resources I refer to.

​

​

​

CAKE SAFETY

No additions (including but not limited to; flowers, decorations, toppers) should be added to the cake by anyone other than a Kasserina Cakes representative. Kasserina cannot be held responsible for any contaminants introduced by a 3rd party.

 

Further, any damage to or contamination of the cake/s, or other goods, provided by Kasserina (whether accidental, malicious, neglectful or through interference) resulting from the actions of a person not directly employed by Kasserina Cakes will be in no way the responsibility of Kasserina Cakes.  Any claim made should be pursued against that person or persons whose actions led to the damage, or their employer.  This includes any damage sustained by persons moving the cake, the platform it is on, or anything above or nearby the cake once it has been set up by Kasserina and from any pest infestation at the venue.

​

We STRONGLY advise against moving any cake once it has been set up on site.  The risk of damage is simply too great.  

​

Any conflicting advice from any other supplier or person, including a venue, does not supersede Kasserina's terms of service.  No other supplier is qualified, insurable or trained to advise on the safety of your cake, nor on the structure or materials. If a supplier questions this, please ask them to contact Kasserina directly.

​

Should you experience any issues with your cake, please do let us know as soon as possible so we have a chance to try and solve the problem.  We will need photographic proof (taken at the time of discovery) of the cake and it's environment, plus the return of the complete cake, uneaten, within 2 days of the event before any form of refund can be considered.

​

Please protect your linens and surfaces.  Cake boards, stands, icings, etc. can stain and scratch your belongings if care is not taken.

​

Most cakes will require some form of structural support, potentially including (but not limited to) internal dowels, cake cards, floral wires, wooden supports.  Where possible Kasserina will inform you / your caterers of the structural elements of the cake.  Please do take note and serve the cake accordingly.  For example, toppers and sugar flowers will usually have an internal support or be wired.  While these are made using sugar products, they are not designed to be eaten and we strongly caution against consumption.

​

​

​

​

​

​

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND STORAGE

​

Although we use ingredients and materials that are as stable as possible, cakes, fillings and icings will degrade over time and cakes should be eaten while fresh.  Extreme weather conditions, or the cake being moved into a hot environment may greatly accelerate this process and is difficult to predict.  Kasserina cannot be on site at all times to police this and while concerns may be raised by Kasserina, after delivery it is the responsibilty of the client and / or their representatives to ensure that the cake is safe from damage, contamination, collapse or degradation due to heat.  

 

If a cake has been left out in the heat by the client it may begin to turn sour.  It is up to the person serving the cake to decide if it is fit to serve safely and Kasserina cannot be held responsible for any negative results of how the client has chosen to store or display a cake.  In the case of very warm weather, we recommend bringing the cake cutting forward and either serve earlier or refrigerate until you decide to serve (nb. refrigeration beforehand will often cause damage to the cake decorations).

​

Your cake is best eaten on the day of your wedding, but can be eaten up to 3 days afterward as long as it is stored in suitable conditions, except for tiers that contain fresh fruit or cream cheese frosting which should be eaten on the day. 

 

Once cut, it should be placed in food-safe, air-tight containers as soon as possible (using waxed paper or cling film to wrap in small sections if the containers are large), to save them from drying out, and kept in a cool area.  Refrigeration, damp, condensation or warmth may dry / melt / sour the cake components or cause the cake to “sweat”, leading to an uncooked appearance.  

​

For large events away from the home, such as weddings, we recommend you provide the servers (in advance) with some air-tight containers in which to store any left over cake.  If requested to do so, we can add some boxes to your order for you to put left overs in, but once cut a standard card cake box will have limited affect on keeping your cake fresh, the cut cake would also need to be wrapped in clingfilm.  As part of our commitment to reducing waste, we do not automatically supply these as part of your order.  

 

In the case of weddings, we also heartily recommend asking the servers / your wedding planner in advance to put a couple of pieces of the cake aside for you two to share later together, to save some for any guests who were unable to attend, and (if you have ordered enough) to save some for the next day if you are expecting to get together with family and friends for a big debrief.   

 

Please also request that the cut cake is put in a place where the guests can see it and are aware that is has been served.  There are many tales of wasted wedding cake, but my experience is that this really only happens when the cake is served very late / hidden in a corner where no-one can see it / is left in the kitchen.

​

Sponge cake can be frozen for up to 2 months then allowed to gradually thaw for eating, however the recommended 3 days of room temperature storage still apply.  Fruit cake can be frozen for up to 6 months. Freezing may adversely effect the gluten strands and cell structure within the cake and affect the eating quality of your cake.  All cakes are best eaten while fresh.

​

Traditionally, a tier of a wedding cake has been saved for a future family event.  While cake is a considered "low risk" food item, current advice is that tiers should not be saved longer than 2 months frozen or 3 days fresh for sponge cakes, or 6 months frozen 5 days fresh (once cut) for a rich fruit cake.

​

​

​

DESIGN FACTORS

​

No two cakes will ever look exactly the same, no matter how hard we try, so please be aware; that some degree of variation is inevitable, that sketches are an impression not a photograph, that plans are only plans and that there may be occasion to alter details for reasons of aesthetic or structural improvement.   We will always strive to give you the best product possible, and to go above and beyond your expectations.

​

Clients are reminded that design demands may change according to circumstances on the day and that you chose to engage Kasserina because of the style of cakes previously produced by Kasserina. Any design decisions made by Kasserina will be according to structural, material or circumstantial demands experienced at the time, working toward the best design outcome for the client. By accepting these terms you acknowledge that you understand this and give your permission for these decisions to be made by Kasserina.

 

Because of the nature of the medium, no cake will ever be entirely perfect and they are susceptible to damage from human and environmental factors. No form of refund will be considered for perceived imperfections deemed to be the result of; 1. the nature of the design requested by the client (eg, mis-interpretation of cake terms, exact colour matching, inappropriate flowers / props being supplied on the day, exact placement of decorative elements, etc), 2. exaggerated by bad lighting (eg down lighters, backlit from window, up lighters, etc… ie not immediately visible under general ambient lighting circumstances), or 3. damage that was done after Kasserina delivered the cake irrespective of who / what was responsible, be it guest, venue, supplier, pests, heat source, etc. Any issues of damage that occurred as a result of any supplier other than Kasserina should be taken up with that supplier directly. NB. For advice on environmental factors, please see above.

 

Similarly, in the event of on-site issues that could prove damaging to the cake (eg. cake table set up by a window, on a sprung dance floor, pest infestation, unsuitable table, limited clearance for passing guests or staff, proximity to heat source, relocation of cake after set up, etc.), Kasserina reserves the right to take measures as possible to ensure the safety of your cake is preserved.  Kasserina will always strive to create the safest environment for your cake, but where efforts to ensure the safety of the cake are obstructed (eg by lack of alternative provision, refusal of venue / suppliers to comply with Kasserina’s requests, etc) Kasserina cannot be held responsible for any damage that occurs.  Such matters should be taken up directly with the supplier in question (see CAKE SAFETY section for more information.   (NB. Wedding day logistics would usually prohibit us being able to contact you directly to clarify instructions & could cause unwarranted delays & distress. We would actively avoid this unless you have specifically instructed us to do so because of the possible adverse affect on your wedding day).

 

 

BOOKINGS AND BREAK CLAUSES

​

​

All quotes are made in good faith and with the information provided at the time.  Receipt of an invoice or quote is in no way a promise to provide services.

​

Delayed payment of booking fee may result in the date becoming unavailable / quoted costs increasing in line with updated rates. Payment clearance in full is due before cake delivery / collection. Overdue payments may forfeit your booking.  Late cancellations may still be subject to full payment due to costs and scheduling, please refer to your invoice for deadlines.  Alterations to design may not be possible close to delivery date.

​

Charges are based on material costs, man hours and overheads.  Just as with any sustainable business, the man hours are not limited to only those spent baking and decorating.  All invoices are EOE.  Kasserina is committed to transparency with regard to our pricing structure, but prices are carefully considered and Kasserina will not enter into any discussion on justifying our rates.  If our prices are not in line with your budget, we totally accept that, but we will not enter into any form of negotiation on that. Kasserina's prices are set.

​

In accordance with public health legislation, in the case of a suspected transmittable illness within the team there may be a situation where we are unable to honour a booking.    In this case we will do all we can to help customers to source an alternative supplier, etc. but can offer no guarantee.   We have never had to do this yet, but if a situation occurred we will always err on the side of public safety.  We hope you understand.

​

In the case of injury, serious emergency, illness, inclement weather, road closures, vehicular 

breakdown, road traffic accident or similar circumstances rendering us unable to deliver your 

cake as agreed or at the expected arrival time, Kasserina may choose to offer a partial refund but cannot be held responsible for any perceived compensation claim as a result of the cake not being present. This does not mean we will not try.  Your satisfaction is always a priority.

​

Similarly, in the case of accidental damage where the cake is not fit to be delivered while still in the care of Kasserina, eg. in the case of a road traffic accident, Kasserina may choose to refund the fee but cannot be held responsible for any perceived compensation claim as a result of the cake not being present.  The same holds true if there are any supply issues that prevent your cake being made to pre-agreed specifications.  

 

By necessity of demand, bookings may be taken some time in advance of the event therefore (as with any business or individual) unforeseen circumstances could lead to a change in situation rendering Kasserina unable to complete the cake. As above, Kasserina may choose to refund any monies already paid, but cannot be held responsible for any perceived 

compensation claim as result of the cake not being present or difficulties/expenses incurred in finding an alternative vendor.  

 

Kasserina strongly recommends clients invest in wedding insurance.

​

Following physical threats made against, and the harassment of, another highly regarded cake maker in the area;  Kasserina reserves the right to cancel an order at any point if unreasonable behaviour is experienced and similarly reserves the right to inform other suppliers or authorities if they feel that a client has the potential to endanger the safety or reputation of a supplier.  If any individual, or group, engages in any form of defamitory or extortionery acts against Kasserina, Kasserina's representatives, family members, friends or other suppliers, Kasserina and Kasserina's representatives will use any and all information and evidence available to present to the wider public and authorities in our defence. 

​

This should not deter any clients from contacting us if they have any valid concerns.  We value all feedback as a tool to improving our services.

 

Please note:  Given recent history, lockdowns, restrictions and Covid infections within your household / circle no longer class as unforeseeable circumstances and do not nullify a booking. If a Covid virus is contracted or suspected and you are unable to have your event as planned, please let us know as soon as possible and we will endeavour to carry your order forward to a future date.

​

Postponements may incur additional charges due to increased admin and costs.

​

If a refund is offered, it may be necessary to make it in the form of instalments over a set period and an immediate payment in full should not be expected.  

 

By placing an order you are confirming that you have read, understand and agree to abide by Kasserina's terms and conditions and will similarly undertake to read the contents of all communications and paperwork provided.  Kasserina cannot be held to be responsible for any issues brought to light after the fact or too late to be rectified, that could have been corrected had the information provided been read by the client and potential issues / queries brought to Kasserina's attention in a timely manner.  Similarly Kasserina cannot be held responsible for any oversight or omission in the design brief provided by the client.

​

​