To keep things fair for everyone, I operate on a system where bookings are only confirmed once your booking fee is paid. So, once you receive an emailed quote from me, please let me know as soon as possible if you want to go ahead and book, so I can go ahead and get your booking fee (which is normally half the price of your cake) invoice raised and to you for payment. I promise not to harass you regarding a quotation and will let you get back to me in your own time, however please note that I can book out really quickly. So please let me know as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that Pipe Dream Cakes is NOT certified for allergens or as Gluten Free. As such I can not 100% guarantee gluten free (even if you purchase my Gluten Free cake/cupcake option) nor do I cater for any other dietary requirements or allergens. This forms part of my Council Approved Home-Based Food Business Licence. While I make every effort to thoroughly clean, as a home-based business (where we do, as a family, consume fish, nuts, gluten etc) I can NOT guarantee that my products or supplies have not come into contact with allergens, not can I guarantee that any of cakes or edible products that I use do not contain allergens such as milk, nuts, wheat, soy, gluten, seafood etc.

All my quoted prices are based on you collecting your cake from my location in Burnside, Sunshine Coast QLD. Due to being so very busy during each week designing cakes, I very rarely have the time to be able to offer a delivery service. However, if you would like to have your cake delivered, please let me know via email and I will see what I can do. My delivery fee is listed under Pricing.

You can definitely email me photographs which I will use as inspiration, but I don't copy other designers' cakes. In fact, emailing me photos can be really helpful to give me an idea of the style of cake you are wanting. Cake decorating is an art and every cake designer has a unique feel/style. So I wouldn't recreate another persons cake out of both respect for the other cake designer plus, doing this would take away from my creativity ability to design you the best cake I possibly can. Please check out my Gallery to see example of my previous works.

It really is easy. Just pop me a quick email (pipedreamcakes@bigpond.com or fill out my contact form), letting me know the following details: Date you want to collect your cake; The theme of your cake (eg. "Dinosaurs using pale colours, his favourite colour is blue"; or "Bright pinks with lots of flowers") plus include any inspirational photos if you have them - but this is not necessary; The type of celebration this cake is for (eg. birthday; anniversary) (and be sure to let me know the age of the birthday boy/girl); The age of the person we are celebrating is turning (if this is a birthday cake); and The number of people you would like the cake to feed. Once I receive your email I will check my availability for the date your are after and if all is ok, I will email you back a quote with a few different options. Then, if you would like to book, you just let me know by return email which option you would like to go ahead with. Just please note that I do not hold your date for you until your booking fee is paid, even if I have sent you a quote.

Yes your cake does need to be refrigerated as soon as possible after you collect your cake, and stay refrigerated right up until just a little before you plan to serve (maybe about half an hour, but it does depend on your environment and the current room temperature). All my cakes are covered with buttercream icing, which is made using butter. So imagine if you left a stick of butter out on your bench. Eventually it would get very very soft and eventually melt. This is the same with the icing on your cake, so be sure to keep it in the fridge until a little before you are ready to serve. I say this, as personally I think the cake is much nicer tasting when closer to room temperature, but you can certainly eat it straight from the fridge if you prefer. It is a little difficult to recommend the ideal time to remove your cake from the fridge before serving. On a hot summer day if your cake is being served outside, you may only need 10-15 minutes for the cake to soften, however on a cold winters day or inside a cold airconditioned room it would take longer. So please think about your environment and estimate what you think would be best.

The cost of a custom cake all depends on the size of the cake, plus the quantity and complexity of decorations added. Every cake is unique, so every cake is a different price. Starting prices for custom cakes can be viewed under Pricing. This is the starting price depending on the size of your cake, and then decorations etc are added on top of this price. To give you an idea, if you would like a handmade fondant character added to your cake (let's say a Lion just for fun!), then the fee for this character (which is approx $50 is added onto this base price). When I send you a quote, I will normally email through at least 2, sometimes 3 different pricing and design options for your cake, so you have the option of choosing the level of design and cost of your cake. I do not believe in giving just one price, there are so many different ways to design almost any theme that you can definitely have a choice! Alternatively, I do offer Bento Cake & Cupcake Boxes, Cupcakes & also Number Cakes, which are a set price. You can view these options under Pricing.

Once you have booked your cake with me, I will email you details regarding the way I recommend is best to both store and transport your cake.

It's a very simple process. Pop me a reply email once you have decided which option to go with from my quote. I will then double check your date is still available and then I will email through to you an invoice for your booking fee. This booking fee is non-refundable, and is 50% of your total cake price. Paying the booking fee secures your booking and date in my calendar. The remaining balance is not due until 7 days before your cake collection date (but don't worry, I will pop through a reminder to you when it is time to pay).

The best time to book is as early as possible as some weeks can book out months in advance. I do require an absolute minimum of two weeks notice for any booking (sorry I don't have the capacity to take last minute requests). I also only have a few spots available each week, so pop me an email and lets get the ball rolling.