From the archive: This article collects real free-cake and discount requests received during an earlier chapter of Anges de Sucre. Names remain anonymised, and the commentary reflects the time in which the requests arrived.
You know what tastes good? Cake. You know what tastes even better than cake? FREE CAKE!
Over the years we received a steady stream of requests for free cakes and discounts. Some were entirely reasonable, including charity enquiries we helped with where we could. Others came from large brands, publicists and would-be “influencers” offering exposure in place of payment.
As the requests became bolder, I started sharing some of the more extraordinary examples on Instagram. The response from fellow bakers, photographers, musicians, designers, hair and make-up artists and other small-business owners made it obvious this was not remotely unique to cakes. I even made a flowchart for influencers hunting for freebies.
So here is an archive of some of the most memorable enquiries, including a few of the replies I sent at the time.
1. Celebrity Birthday Cake! For a MEGA STAR.
So mega that they couldn't buy a cake with cash. We passed on this. I later saw someone had created a beautiful two-tiered unicorn birthday cake for the event gratis. Exposure bucks had apparently won.
2. Emoji Cake for Hot Shot Guests
You'll be pleased to know I did respond to this.
“Your email upset me, even if you did not intend for it to. It upset me because I too have expensive tastes and I could never go to Alexander McQueen for a handbag I really want but couldn't afford, and ask for it free or discounted, in exchange for a thank you or potentially carrying it in front of my VIP friends. I hope you can see my point of view. In any case we are fully booked for your date.”
The enquiry was probably sent without much thought for how it would read to a small business. I hope the reply made the point.
3. X-Factor Birthday
At the time I joked that I didn't know who the proposed recipient was, but her PR team clearly knew how to ask for a free cake.
4. Non-Exposure Bucks
One request wanted cakes purely to tempt celebrities backstage, with no meaningful exposure promised at all. That was at least refreshingly clear about the transaction.
5. Free Advertising at Weddings
“My wedding is day after tomorrow and I need 27 custom macarons urgently, can I have a discount on either the macarons or free delivery please because it is a bulk short notice order for you so quick money?? I can pay cash on delivery so no taxes for you too?? You can send business cards and I will give to my friends so they all order from you.”
My response at the time explained that rush work cost more, that we paid our taxes and that we were not able to accept the order.
Sometimes, you can only laugh.
This page remains because it is part of the Anges de Sucre story and because the basic lesson has aged rather well: creative work still has a cost. If you fancy buying cake rather than offering exposure, head this way.
Lots of love,
Reshmi xoxo
Actually couldn’t stop laughing at the bride one at the end!
Did you ever hear from the police about your “illegal reply”? ?