FAQ

What is Artisan baking? “Artisan baking celebrates the role of the individual not industrial values of scale”. (The Village Baker) For me that means I get to bake in small batches with great attention to detail. It means you can pronounce the ingredients that I use in creating your order. It also means I can take pride in my craft and I get to see the joy that these hand crafted baked items produce. It is about baking people happy!

What is a cottage or home-based baker? A cottage baker is an individual who bakes and prepares foods from their home kitchen and sells them direct to customers. Pumpernickel Bakery operates under the rules and regulations of the Texas Cottage Food Law. I am current on my Food Handler’s Card. There are many restrictions as to the type of baked goods I can produce and how they are labeled and sold. I adhere to these rules because I know what that means to my customers and to my conscience. By law I also share that “this food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.” I use great care to ensure that my baked items are of excellent quality and that they are handled in a professional and safe manner.

How do I order? How far in advance do I need to order? Please email Pumpernickelbakerytx@gmail.com. That is the best way to communicate so we can put a plan together and get you on the calendar. I try and answer emails Monday – Friday, usually within a 24 hour period. When you have a date in mind, please contact me as soon as possible. Some people book several weeks in advance to be guaranteed of their date, but occasionally I can take an order that is one week out. I will do my best to accommodate you with what is already scheduled. A 50% deposit is required to hold your date with the balance being paid 7 days before the event. I am not able to hold dates; once I email your invoice you have 24 hours to pay the deposit. If the deposit is not paid, the date is not secured and it goes to the next client. Price quotes are good for 30 days and may be subject to change after one month. Unfortunately, I am not able to return deposits within 2 weeks of the event as my time has been invested at this point with design work and purchasing of your necessary items. In case of an emergency and I am unable to fill your order, a 100% refund will be given to you.

How do I pay my deposit? I gladly accept cash, Paypal and Venmo. If other payment arrangements are necessary, please let me know at time of booking.

How do I pick up my items? In our email conversations I provide my address and we decide upon the best time for pickup. I try and bake as late in the week as feasible to keep your tasty goodies as fresh as possible. Unfortunately, under the Texas Cottage Food Law I am not able to ship items.

How are my items packaged? Most items will arrive in heat sealed packages to help ensure freshness. Presentation boxes and bakery boxes are used in combination with the heat sealed packing when appropriate. Items are labeled in accordance with the current laws.