Frequently Asked Questions
Commonly asked questions about our bakery
Commonly asked questions about our bakery
JAAMs Cakery is a cottage bakery specializing in custom cakes and desserts for special occasions. We operate as a made-to-order business from our home kitchen, focusing on personalized creations for your special occasions. JAAMs represents the first letters of our family members' names - a personal touch that reflects the family-centered nature of our bakery business.
We are a Cottage business (home-based) bakery and a registered business with Kane county and the State of Illinois. Our products are produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens.
We're located in the Providence neighborhood of Elgin, IL. As a cottage bakery, we don't have a retail storefront - all orders are made-to-order and available for pickup. Delivery is offered in rare scenarios.
You can place orders through https://jaamscakery.com/order > Request Quote, Instagram DM, Facebook Messenger, text, or Whatsapp or Email. We'll provide a quote, and once you approve and pay the retainer, your order is confirmed. We recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance to better serve you.
We recommend booking 1-2 months in advance, especially for popular dates like weekends and holidays. Otherwise at least 2 weeks prior to the event is recommended. This ensures availability and allows proper planning for your custom order.
Most orders are handled through our preferred messaging platforms (text, whatsapp, instagram, facebook, email) with order confirmations. For clients who prefer formal contracts, we can provide them upon request.
Smash cakes start at $40, and 6-inch cakes start at $50. Prices vary based on design complexity, flavors, and decorative elements. Contact us for a personalized quote.
Yes! We offer sweet tables with various desserts including cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, and more. Check out our dessert menu for available options and pricing.
We can create cakes inspired by photos, but we don't guarantee exact replications due to different techniques, tools, and skill levels. We'll work with you to create something beautiful within our capabilities.
We offer tastings primarily for wedding cakes due to the significant investment involved. For other occasions, we're happy to discuss flavor options and make recommendations based on your preferences.
We use a tiered payment system based on order value:
| Order Value | Retainer Required |
|---|---|
| Under $100 | Full payment |
| $100 - $199 | $100 minimum |
| $200-$500+ | 50% |
| $500+ | 30% |
The remaining balance is due two days prior to your event. For highly detailed cakes, full payment is required one week before pickup. Your order is NOT booked until retainer is received. We prefer Zelle but accept Venmo and cash.
We prefer Zelle for payments, but also accept Venmo, and cash. We also accept credit card payments. There will be a 3% surcharge for credit card payments. Payment is split between a retainer to confirm your order and the remaining balance due before pickup or delivery.
Our cancellation policy is based on timing before your event:
| Cancellation Timing | Refund Policy |
|---|---|
| 4+ weeks before event | Full refund |
| 2-4 weeks before event | Partial refund possible |
| Within 2 weeks of event | Retainer forfeited |
Ingredients are typically purchased 2 weeks before your event. Also my calendar gets full typically with 2 weeks in advance. which is why cancellations within this timeframe result in forfeited retainers.
We currently do not offer delivery of the cake. We may offer delivery in very rare occassions.
Pickup times can be adjusted if communicated in advance. However, last-minute changes may not always be accommodated due to our schedule and the perishable nature of our products.
Yes, we do cater to those with mild allergies. However, please note that we cannot guarantee against cross-contamination with other allergens in our home kitchen. Guests with severe allergies should be informed accordingly. We do eggless cakes.
As a cottage bakery, we can only deliver to venues that approve cottage bakery products. Some commercial venues don't allow cottage bakery items, so please check with your venue first before placing an order. But yes, we are licensed and insured.
Cakes with cream fillings should be refrigerated and can sit out for up to 2 hours. Buttercream cakes can sit out for 3-4 hours. For outdoor events, keep cakes in shade and consider temperature. See our detailed cake care guidelines for more information.