Frequently Asked Questions

Catering

 

What is the process for ordering catered food for our event?

 

We recommend that you meet with us for an in-person consultation prior to placing your catering order. Consultations can usually be arranged in the evenings or on the weekend at a mutually convenient time.

 

What areas in Puget Sound does Mel's Studio provide catering?

 

Our primary service area is South King County including the cities of Auburn, Burien, Covington, Black Diamond, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac and Tukwila.  We will consider other cities in King County upon request.

 

How much does it to cost to cater an event?

 

Each event is custom designed and based on the cost of the food items selected.  You can expect to pay a minimum of $9.99 a person.

 

What menu types do you have available?

 

We currently don't have any standard menus. We create custom menus for your event based on your preferences and budget.

 

Can we arrange a tasting to sample your food?

 

Once we have met with you and decided on a menu we can arrange a tasting.

 

Do you have vegetarian/vegan meals?

 

Yes, we can create a menu to meet your dietary needs.

 

What are your payment terms?

 

We require a 20% deposit to reserve the date of your event. Final payment of the remaining balance is due two weeks prior to the event.

 

Is the deposit refundable?

 

No, once we have reserved a date, the deposit is not refundable.

 

What forms of payment are accepted?

 

Cash or check.

 

When do we need the guest count confirmed?

 

An estimated guest count is needed at the time you place your order, and a final confirmation of the number of guests should be provided at least two weeks prior to the event.

 

Can you coordinate the china, glassware and linen rentals for our event?

 

No, we do not provide these services. We suggest that you make arrangements for these items directly from a rental company.

 

Do you accept gratuities?

 

Yes. Our events are serviced by a small team of employees and gratuities given for their hard work are split between the staff on duty that day.

 

 

Wedding Cakes

 

What is the process for ordering a wedding cake?

 

We accept cake orders by email or phone, however we highly recommend that you meet with us for an in-person consultation prior to placing your order. Consultations can usually be arranged in the evenings or on the weekend at a mutually convenient time.

 

How do we figure out how big of a wedding cake that we need?

 

There is a standard chart that is used in the industry to determine how big a cake is needed. During our initial consultation with you, we will help you to design a customized cake that provides an adequate number of servings for your event.

 

How much do you charge for your wedding cakes?

 

Average charge for buttercream iced cakes is $4.50 a serving, and average charge for cakes enrobed in fondant is $6.00 a serving. There is a minimum charge for custom wedding cakes and additional charges may apply when providing certain types of specialty cakes.

 

How far in advance must we order our cake?

 

We require a minimum notice of 30 days.

 

We are on a tight budget. What can we do to reduce the cost of our cake?

 

To reduce costs, you can order a small (1 or 2 tier) wedding cake to be displayed, and then provide matching cupcakes that can be served to your guests. The typical cost for cupcakes is $3.00 apiece.

 

I saw a picture of a cake I really liked in a magazine. Can you make us a similar cake?

 

Yes, we can design cakes based on pictures from magazines or websites. Please bring your pictures with you when you come for your initial consultation with us. The bigger and clearer the picture, the better.

 

Do you provide the wedding cake "topper", or must we provide this ourselves?

 

We prefer that you provide your own "topper", however we can provide this item if necessary for an additional charge.

 

Can you match my wedding colors?

 

Absolutely. Please bring samples of your colors when you come for your initial consultation with us.

 

If I want fresh flowers on my cake, who supplies them and places them on the cake?

 

We prefer that the florist who is providing the flowers for the wedding also provide flowers for the cake to assure that everything is coordinated, however we can provide the flowers if needed. In either case, we place the flowers on the cake at the time it is delivered and set-up.

 

Who supplies the ribbon that I want on my cake?

 

You can provide us with the ribbon that you wish to use, or we can supply the ribbon. Please note that certain types of ribbon may be unsuitable for use with certain types of icings. Please bring a sample of the ribbon that you wish to use when you come for your initial consultation with us.

 

Do you make cupcake wedding cakes?

 

We have a five-tier stand that you can rent that allows you to place a 6"or 8"cake on the top tier, and then fill in the rest of the stand with cupcakes.  The stand holds about 200 standard cupcakes.

 

Do we pick-up the cake from you, or do you deliver it?

 

We deliver and set up all of our custom wedding cakes. Our minimum delivery fee is $50 for cakes delivered within 15 miles of Kent, Washington. An additional charge will apply to cakes delivered outside of this area.

 

What do you need from us on the day the cake is delivered?

 

Prior to delivery of your cake, we require the following:

 

- Name and address of the site where cake is to be delivered.

 

- Time that you would like us to deliver the cake. Please allow at least one hour for us to set-up the cake

 

- Best entry point at site to unload and deliver the cake.

 

- Name and cell phone number of your wedding planner or other responsible party.

 

- A suitable table or stand on which the cake will be placed. This should be in the final position where cake is desired.

 

- Any flowers or toppers that are to be added to the cake.

 

Please note that an additional charge may apply if we encounter delays because a needed item is not available at the time we deliver the cake.

 

 

Other Questions

 

Do you have any regularly scheduled cooking classes open to the public?

 

No. At the present time, all of our cooking classes are custom developed for specific clients and are not open to the
public. We occasionally conduct classes for organizations such as the King County Library System and these classes are open to the public and usually free. Please contact your local library to see if any cooking classes will be offered in the near future.

 

Where are your cooking classes held?

 

Cooking classes are conducted at our client's home or place of business, or occasionally, at a venue such as a community hall where an event is being held. Mel's Studio does not operate a facility where cooking classes can be offered on site.

 

I urgently need a cake and cupcakes for a party coming up this weekend - can you help?

 

No. Unfortunately, we require a minimum of thirty days notice on all orders and cannot accommodate requests for rush jobs.

 

Can I stop by Mel's Studio to see your kitchen or watch you work?

 

No. Mel's Studio is not open to the public.