Jessica's Kitchen
Terms & Conditions

Jessica's Kitchen
Terms & Conditions

Rev. October 2023

Jessica’s Kitchen is a licensed 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 online or via email at jessicahall1210@gmail.com.  We respectfully request that you do not use phone calls, text messages, or Instagram or Facebook direct messages, as these are difficult to track.  Please include the following in your order email:

• 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 and can be provided by email upon request.

  • 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 – please see Pricing Guidelines for base prices; 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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Order Minimums:

• Cake sizes begin at a 6” round, serving up to 12.  All cakes are composed of 3 cake layers and 2 filling layers, except the 8" heart cake, which is 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.  

• Cupcakes, Cookies, Brownies, and Bars require a 1 dozen minimum order per flavor.

• Order minimums may change during major holiday periods – see holiday menus for more details.

ALL orders must be placed AT LEAST two (2) weeks in advance.  Orders with less than two weeks’ notice may be taken if time allows.  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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Deposits: We will gladly place a tentative hold on your date for 48 hours; after that time, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of your total is required to book your date.  Your final balance is due five (5) days prior to delivery/pickup. 

***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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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 with less than seven days’ notice, but we will make every effort to accommodate.

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Examples:

1. You initially estimate that 50 guests will attend your event, but ten days beforehand, 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.

Payment: Once your order has been confirmed, you will receive an invoice reflecting all details and a breakdown of your total with tax included.  You may pay your balance by credit card or bank transfer by clicking the secure link on your invoice.  We also accept Venmo @jessicaskitchen.  If you prefer to pay in cash, please let us know at the time of booking and we are happy to accommodate!  We are unable to release orders without balances paid in full at time of delivery/pickup.  

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Pickup & Delivery: Pickup of orders is at Xavier High School in Middletown.  We are happy to offer delivery beyond the Middletown area for a fee based on location.  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.  Please remember that cakes are delicate and should NOT be placed on car seats or held on laps.  The best place is on the front seat floor or in the trunk of the car 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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Shipping: We do offer shipping of cookies, brownies, bars, and some other items with minimum orders met.  Certain items are more suitable for shipping than others; contact Jessica for more information.

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Cancellations: We do not offer refunds for cancelled orders.  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 with no rescheduling date, the full cost of the order will be forfeited, including the deposit(s).  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. Please note: the cancellation policy for weddings and other major events is further detailed below.

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Non-Responsiveness (“Ghosting”): 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, Symbols, and Reproductions: Jessica’s Kitchen ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT reproduce ANY copyrighted character, 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 mascots or logos.  Jessica’s Kitchen reserves the right to refuse any design requests at our discretion.  Jessica’s Kitchen will not reproduce any “Pinterest cakes” or work by other cake designers/decorators, but we are happy to use pictures as inspiration.  Remember that your order is unique and custom-made! 

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Wedding and Large Event Cakes & Desserts: We will happily book your wedding or large event cake and/or desserts up to four months in advance.  Please contact Jessica at your earliest convenience via the Contact page or by email at jessicahall1210@gmail.com. 

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A non-refundable 25% deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your date; another 25% is due thirty (30) days prior to the event date; and the final 50% is due seven (7) days before the event date.  (For wedding and large event orders placed less than one month prior, a non-refundable 50% deposit at time of booking is required with the remainder due seven (7) days before the event date.)  Wedding orders that have not been paid in full at least seven (7) days prior to the event will not be made or delivered. 

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Wedding/Large Event Cancellations & Refunds: The initial 25% deposit upon booking your wedding date is non-refundable.  The remaining balance may be cancelled or due on the following schedule:

• Cancellations more than thirty (30) days before event – initial 25% deposit forfeited; remaining balance cancelled, less any specialty supplies or ingredients already purchased.

• Cancellations between thirty (30) and eight (8) days before event – 50% of total due forfeited.

• Cancellations seven (7) days or fewer before event – 100% of total due forfeited.

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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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.  You are responsible for the condition of your item(s) after they leave the possession of Jessica Hall.  

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 (a guide to slicing the cake is available on our Instagram highlights and by email upon request.)  Please be aware, however, 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 cakes outdoors, in direct sunlight, or in any location or room warmer than 68 degrees F. 

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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, 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 florals that are NOT cake-safe are: hydrangea, calla lily, baby’s breath, daffodil, foxglove, iris, lily of the valley, marigold, morning glory, tulip, among others not listed here.  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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Weather Delays and Emergencies: In the event of inclement weather, including but not limited to: hurricanes, blizzards, excessive heat conditions, or natural disasters (“acts of God”) Jessica’s Kitchen reserves the right to cancel orders within 48 hours of the event.  Your date may be rescheduled or refunded, less any specialty items, at the discretion of Jessica Hall, depending upon availability.  Jessica’s Kitchen further reserves the right to refuse delivery to any location in the event of inclement weather.  Should the governor close the State, no deliveries will be made.

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