Bringing a cake to a restaurant????

[JessB320]

I don't think people are talking about big parties; rather, a table of people out for a small dinner. Obviously no restaurant is going to have a problem with a patron bringing in a cake when they're shelling out for dinner and drinks for 50!

Ahhh, I actually was thinking of large parties, that's where I have seen it. I guess it would be different for just a small, few people family dinner. Also home baked goods vs. bakery (made in a commercial kitchen) and the keeping a home made cake in the restraunt kitchen.

Now I think I'm over thinking this whole thing lol

 

[Disney Doll]

I've done it after clearing it with the restaurant in advance.

 

[DeniseinNS]

I work in a restaurant and we have people that bring in their own cakes quite often, it is never a problem We hold the cake until they want it, light the candles and supply singers, plates and utensils.

 

[SandrA9810]

I did it once at Disney. She didnt like traditional cake, so I had a cutom cake from Carvel made. I put in a cooler and was fine with leaving it in there. Coral Reef took the cake, added their little topper and candles. They even did the birthday song.

It sounds a little rude to shove it at the hostest like that, but individual deserts isnt really the same as a cake every one can share.

 

[IbeAbitGOOFY]

I have not seen it done lately, but growing up I remember my grandmother or mother doing the same thing when we’d go out to celebrate a birthday. It didn’t seem to be a big deal then. But, with tighter food safety regulations and restaurants trying to turn tables quickly to keep customers moving (thus making more money), I could see how they’d be off-put. Best thing, call first to make sure it’s acceptable and then tip the server a little extra for the effort.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I've done it after clearing it with the restaurant in advance.

Same here. They were happy to accommodate the request. They held the cake until it was time for dessert and set out plates & silverware.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I've seen this happen, but only been a part of it once. The person bringing the cake called ahead of time to make sure it was okay. When we arrived, there was already a stack of extra plates and forks set aside for the serving of the cake. The waitress offered to cut and serve, but we did our own. I think that if you plan ahead and don't ask of any extra work of the staff, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[eliza61]

not very common here but I have seen it done. Always, always get the restaurants permission ffirst.
My family's restaurant did not allow outside food. We would happily bake any type of cake known to man.

 

[shellybaxter]

Interestingly enough - I've actually noticed signs at two local restaurants in my very small town that state "no outside food allowed". I know that the health department made the rounds recently - I'm not sure if this is a result of their visits or not??

 

[mrspaha]

I've never really noticed either way if groups had brought in their own cake/dessert. My first thought was that a restaurant probably wouldn't want to allow, not only because they wouldn't be getting the additional dessert sales, but their might be a liability issue. What if some of the guest got real sick after the party?

But then I was thinking of restaurants/hotels that have banquet rooms for weddings, showers, etc. Wedding cakes are usually brought in from other bakeries, and that is commonly accepted, and you never hear of problems there.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

But then I was thinking of restaurants/hotels that have banquet rooms for weddings, showers, etc. Wedding cakes are usually brought in from other bakeries, and that is commonly accepted, and you never hear of problems there.

A lot of those venues only allow you to use a bakery they have partnered with or an outside bakery with the proper certification. For our wedding in August, our venue required our bakery to submit a bunch of paperwork. Other venues we looked at only allowed you to use their preferred partners.

They wouldn't let a cake made by mom to be served in their venue.

 

[Hoodie]

When I made a reservation for lunch after my son's baptism, the person who booked the reservation (for 15, I think) told me straight out that we could bring a cake and they would not only serve it to us but pack it up after. I didn't even have to ask. This was a chain restaurant so I'm not sure if it is chain policy or just that franchise. Most places around here have no problem with it. We had so much left over that we gave half of it to the waitstaff (who then proceeded to come out and thank us).

 

[MrsDuck]

The only time I find it acceptable is if the restaurant said it was okay prior to the event.

 

[shellybaxter]

I just thought of something else - when a PP mentioned someone getting sick. We participate in the federally funded food program to provide breakfast, lunch and snack to our preschoolers. They HIGHLY recommend that we not accept any outside food that is not pre-packaged (including bakery cakes) because of the liability. This is an interesting topic. There are so many things for a restaurant to consider, the time of the server, the loss of dessert revenue, the liability issue,and possibly local health department regulations; as they decide their policies.

 

[disney1990]

It's very common for people to "bring" cakes for birthdays where I live. We have done it in the past for my Mom - whose favorite cake is coconut. After dinner, the server usually brings us additional plates, forks and a knife. The server is not involved in the serving of the cake and we always tip the server additional.