Jessica's Kitchen
Terms & Conditions

Jessica's Kitchen
Terms & Conditions

Rev. September 2024

Jessica’s Kitchen is a licensed, certified, and insured Cottage Home Bakery located in Middletown, CT, providing celebration cakes and a variety of desserts. 

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How to Order: Contact Jessica Hall via the Contact page on this website at least two weeks in advance of your event. We respectfully request that you do not use phone calls, text messages, or Instagram or Facebook direct messages, as these are difficult to track. 

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ALL orders must be placed AT LEAST two (2) weeks in advance, but 3-5 weeks' notice is preferred.  Large orders (75+ guests) are best placed at least 8 weeks in advance.  Orders with less than two weeks’ notice may be taken if time allows and are subject to a rush fee.  Due to current availability and supply conditions, some items may not be available.  The earlier you ask, the greater the possibility! 

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Please include the following in your order:

• Your full name and contact information (email, best phone number)

• Date and Time of event

• Date and Time of pickup or delivery – if delivery is requested, please provide the location of delivery with address.

• For Custom Cakes and Cupcakes:

  • Number of guests

  • Preferred flavors of cake, filling, and frosting – menus are posted here.

  • Design and decoration ideas, theme, and/or colors – please note: we do not do exact replicas or recreations, but we are happy to use photos as inspiration!

  • Budget, if you have one, or price point where you are comfortable – base prices are listed on the Menu; final cost is determined by number of servings, flavor(s), design, decorations, etc.  

• For Other Confections:

  • Preferred items with number of each – please see Order Minimums below.

Once received, Jessica will respond to your request within 48 hours unless otherwise noted. 

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Flavors & Menu Items:  Jessica's Kitchen offers an extensive menu of cake and cupcake flavors, fillings, and frostings, in addition to a number of cookies, brownies, bars, and more.  We are very proud of our long-tested, family- and client-approved recipes.  Our menus change with the seasons and availability of ingredients.  However, as a licensed Cottage Bakery, we must adhere to state regulations regarding recipes and ingredients; furthermore, our recipes have been tested multiple times.  Therefore, we cannot and will not entertain off-menu items.  

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Serving Sizes & Order Minimums:

• Cake serving sizes can be found on the Menus page.  Serving sizes are suggested based on slicing according to Jessica's Kitchen instructions, which are included with your cake and posted to social media and the website.  You are responsible for ordering the appropriate size cake for your guests and for slicing according to instructions.

• All cakes are composed of 3 cake layers and 2 filling layers, except the 6" and 8" heart cakes, which are two cake layers and one filling.  Layers may be added upon request. 

• “Smash cakes” are available upon request and must be ordered alongside a main cake and/or cupcakes.

• We do not offer sheet cakes at this time.  

• Cupcakes, Cookies, Brownies, and Bars require a 1 dozen minimum order per flavor.  We're sorry, we cannot mix and match flavors at this time.

• Jumbo Muffins and Scones require a 6-piece minimum order per flavor.

• Order minimums may change during major holiday periods or flash sales.

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Deposits: Orders of $100 and under and/or with less than two weeks' notice require payment in full upon receipt of invoice.  For regular (non-wedding/large event) orders of over $100, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of your total is required to book your date.  We cannot hold dates without a deposit.  Your final balance is due five (5) days prior to collection, however, we always welcome payment of total balances upon booking as well.

***IMPORTANT: Your date is NOT BOOKED until a deposit has been made and ALL flavors, design, and pickup/delivery information has been discussed and finalized with Jessica.***

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Payment: Once your order has been confirmed, you will receive an invoice reflecting all details and a breakdown of your total.  You may pay your deposit and balance by credit card or bank transfer by clicking the secure link on your invoice.  Final balances are due no later than five (5) days prior to pickup/delivery.  We are unable to release orders without balances paid in full at least five (5) days prior to pickup/delivery.

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Minimum Guarantee: Your deposit guarantees a minimum order which may be increased but not decreased before the event date.  Should you book your event and later experience a large difference in headcount (more than 10 guests) please contact Jessica to discuss your options.  Because supplies and ingredients are purchased in advance, we cannot issue refunds or discounts once the deposit has been made.  Additionally, we cannot guarantee certain changes in sizing, flavors, or decorations once supplies and ingredients have been purchased.

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Examples:

1. You initially estimate that 50 guests will attend your event, but once all RSVPs arrive, you realize that 70 will be coming.  You can add cupcakes, cookies, or another tier on your cake – Jessica can help you decide.  The earlier we know, the better!

2. You initially estimate that 50 guests will attend your event; you book a 10”/6” tiered cake to serve approximately 50 and place your deposit.  However, you only receive 30 responses.  Your balance cannot be discounted, but you may adjust the sizing of your cake and use the difference in cost on other items, such as cupcakes, cookies, chocolate dipped pretzels, etc, subject to availability of supplies, ingredients, and calendar.

Transportation, Pickup & Delivery: Pickup of orders is at Xavier High School in Middletown.  We are happy to offer delivery at no charge throughout Middletown, Durham, Middlefield, Portland, and Cromwell, and for a fee based on location to other areas of the state.  You must arrange your pickup/delivery date and time at the time of booking with Jessica, including the name and contact information of the person responsible for pickup. 

If you elect to pick up your cake, you are responsible for bringing an appropriate vehicle for transportation.  During transport, please remember that cakes are delicate and should NOT be placed on car seats or held on laps.  The best place is on the FLOOR of the passenger seat, with no one sitting in the seat or placed on it, or in the trunk of an SUV with a non-skid mat and plenty of air conditioning!  Jessica Hall and Jessica’s Kitchen assume NO responsibility or liability for the condition of any item(s) after they leave the possession of Jessica Hall.  

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During the warm weather months, deliveries beyond Middletown, Durham, Middlefield, Portland, and Cromwell may be suspended due to heat conditions.  

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Refunds, Cancellations, & Non-Responsiveness ("Ghosting"): We do not offer refunds for any reason.  With at least seven (7) days’ notice, we are happy to apply your deposit to a new date, subject to availability.  For cancellations of less than seven (7) days, the full cost of the order will be forfeited, including the deposit(s) and any remaining balance.  Additionally, the initial deposit will be forfeited in full and a new deposit will be required to book an event that has changed dates more than once.  If you decide not to proceed with your order, please do us the courtesy of letting us know.  Clients who “ghost” us or are unavailable or non-responsive to messages reaching out to them in advance of their event will forfeit their date and any deposit(s).  

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Characters, Logos, and Symbols: Due to intellectual property, trademark, and copyright laws, Jessica’s Kitchen ABSOLUTELY CANNOT and WILL NOT reproduce any character, celebrity, logo, symbol, or other design, including but not limited to cartoons, comic book characters, characters in movies, TV shows, online or video games, school or organization seals, mascots, or logos.  

Creative Freedom and Reproductions:  Jessica’s Kitchen does not offer exact reproductions or replicas of cakes.  We will do our best to match requested colors, but we cannot guarantee an exact match due to natural screen and viewing differences (i.e. shades of colors can appear different on various devices and to each person looking at them.)  By placing your order, you agree to give full creative freedom over design and structure to Jessica.  Remember, your order is unique and custom-made.

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Right of Design Refusal: Jessica's Kitchen reserves the right to refuse any design at our discretion.  

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Wedding and Large Event Cakes & Desserts: We will happily book your wedding or large event (75+ guests) cake and/or desserts up to four months in advance.  At least 8 weeks' notice is strongly recommended, but more is best.  Please contact Jessica at your earliest convenience via the Contact page.  In-person wedding consultations are recommended, particularly for large events.  Tasting cakes may be added to your consultation for a fee.

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If you are using a wedding planner or event coordinator, please provide their name and contact information during your consultation. 

A non-refundable $100 deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your date; 50% of the remaining balance is due at least thirty (30) days prior to the event date; and the final 50% is due at least fourteen (14) days before the event date.  For weddings and large events booked with less than thirty (30) days' notice, the non-refundable deposit will be 50% with the balance due fourteen (14) days before the event.  

Wedding and large event orders that have not been paid in full at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event will not be made or delivered. 

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Wedding/Large Event Cancellations & Refunds: We do not offer refunds for cancelled weddings/large events.  With at least thirty (30) days' notice, subject to availability, weddings or large events may be rescheduled.

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Refrigeration: Your cake and cupcakes MUST be refrigerated until serving, particularly in warm weather months.  This is to prevent melting, sinking, bulging, cracking, and collapse.  Be sure to have room to store your item(s) in the refrigerator at the appropriate temperature.  Please be aware that there are many factors that can affect the structure of your cake, especially the weather, heat, and humidity conditions.  We do not recommend displaying any cake outside, in direct sunlight, or in any location warmer than 65 degrees F for any length of time.  You are responsible for the condition of your item(s) after they leave the possession of Jessica Hall.  

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Cake Structure: Occasionally, and in all cases for tiered cakes, it will be necessary to include internal supports to keep your cake standing tall.  These items are typically made from food-grade cardboard, wood, or plastic, such as cake boards, dowels, and straws, and are not optional.  We highly recommend deconstructing the cake beginning with outer decorations, followed by the top tier, and then slicing in a crosshatch pattern.

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Allergies & Dietary Restrictions: While we provide an Ingredients Statement with every order which lists the items used to make your order as well as an allergen statement (e.g., “Contains: Wheat, etc”), we make NO GUARANTEE that any items from Jessica’s Kitchen are 100% allergen-free, including but not limited to: wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, sesame, and other common and uncommon allergens, as cross-contamination is always possible in a home kitchen.  By placing an order, you acknowledge that you take sole responsibility for any allergy or dietary restrictions or requirements you or your guests may have, and you release Jessica Hall and Jessica’s Kitchen from any responsibility or liability resulting from consumption of items received. 

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Fresh Flowers: We love working with fresh flowers, but please be aware that not all flowers are suitable for cake decorating.  Likewise, some flowers may not be available in all seasons and may be subject to additional costs based on availability.  Common fresh flowers that are NOT cake-safe are: hydrangea, calla lily, baby’s breath, daffodil, foxglove, iris, lily of the valley, marigold, morning glory, tulip, and most lily varieties, among others not listed here.  (Silk alternatives are recommended for flowers that are not cake safe!) Additionally, though the fresh flowers on your cake are lovely to look at, they are NOT meant to be eaten and should be discarded before cutting the cake.  All florals are made food-safe with floral tape, plastic straws, and extra buttercream. Cakes with fresh flowers must be refrigerated.  We HIGHLY recommend picking up your floral cake within a few hours of your event so that the flowers stay as fresh and vibrant as possible.  

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Specialty Decorations: Any specialty items that must be created or ordered for your event are subject to an additional deposit at the time of booking.  If you prefer to provide a cake topper or other decoration, please consult with Jessica at the time of booking to ensure that your item(s) are cake-safe and of appropriate size.  Any toppers and/or other decoration(s) being added to the cake or cupcakes must be provided to Jessica at least seven (7) days in advance. 

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Favors and Gift Bags: Many items can be individually wrapped and specially tagged for your event as party favors, or choose multiple items to create a custom gift bag.  These make excellent gifts for teachers, technicians, hair stylists, and everyone whether at Christmastime or throughout the year!  Contact Jessica for details.

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Weather Delays and Emergencies: In the event of inclement weather, including but not limited to: hurricanes, blizzards, excessive heat conditions, natural disasters, or “acts of God," Jessica’s Kitchen reserves the right to cancel orders within 48 hours of the event.  Your date may be rescheduled at the discretion of Jessica Hall, subject to availability.  Jessica’s Kitchen further reserves the right to refuse delivery to any location in the event of inclement weather or unsafe conditions.  Should the governor close the State, no deliveries will be made.

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Kitchen Emergencies: In the unlikely event that Jessica is unable to complete your order due to extreme illness or other major emergency, you will be notified at the earliest opportunity, and you may choose whether to have your balance (less any deposit) refunded or to reschedule your order to another date.

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Photos and Social Media:  No advance photos of the order will be provided before collection under any circumstances.  There are two official social media pages run by Jessica Hall (Facebook @JessicasKitchenCT and Instagram @jessicaskitchen) where photos and videos may be posted at Jessica's discretion.  Photos taken by anyone other than Jessica and posted to the Jessica's Kitchen accounts will be credited to the photographer, if known.  When photos are posted, be aware that names, locations, and social media handles, if known, may be tagged in the post.  If you prefer that any of this information NOT be used in the post, please let Jessica know in writing BEFORE PICKUP.  We reserve the right to use any photographs for display or promotion without notice or compensation to the client and/or photographer before or after the event.

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This document may be changed or updated at any time by Jessica Hall.