Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: What is your store address?
A: I do not have a brick & mortar storefront. However, my farm is a licensed cottage bakery, and I hold a Food Sales Establishment Licensed with the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Q: What types of baked goods do you offer?
A: Everything is custom made and fresh to order. I make custom special occasion cakes, cupcakes with custom edible toppers, cakecicles, brownies, cheesecakes, dessert shooters, and custom decorated cookies in gourmet flavors.
Q: How far in advance should I place an order?
A: It is highly recommended to book wedding cakes 12-18 months in advance. Other occasion cakes and cookies are generally booked 2-3 months in advance.
Q: Do you offer same-day or last-minute orders?
A: I am not able to accommodate these types of orders.
Q: Do you deliver, or is it pick-up only?
A: Delivery is offered and charged by distance. I can rent hardshell cookie cases for transporting long distances as well. I have experience flying orders to their destination too.
Q: What are your store hours?
A: I do not have set store hours. You are welcome to message me through Facebook or email me at HaywardHens@gmail.com and I will respond at my earliest convenience. My farm bakery is open strictly by appointment only.
Q: Do you have seasonal or rotating menu items?
A: I use fruit grown on our farm or other locally farms.
Q: When will I know my order is ready?
A: Please input both your email address and cell phone number on your order. Once I have your order completed, labeled, packaged and ready, my website will send you a “Pick-Up” notification and provide you with our farm address. If you need your order by a specific time, you must let me know this at the time of order. Custom cookies take a considerable amount of time to create and dry enough for packaging.
Ingredients & Dietary Needs
Q: Do you offer gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, dye-free or sugar-free options?
A: While I am able to make gluten-free desserts, my kitchen is not certified as gluten-free and there is a slight risk of cross contamination. If you have Celiac Disease, I strongly recommend our friends at Bootin’ the Gluten for your needs. I prefer to stay away from vegan and dairy-free items, however, I do specialize in dye-free cakes and cookies.
Q: Do you use organic or locally sourced ingredients?
A: Our farm is a poultry farm located in Senoia. All the eggs used in my products were freshly laid by my hens. I only use locally sourced fruit from my own farm and my friends’ farms which I preserve for use all year-round.
Q: Are your products nut-free or allergy-friendly?
A: I am happy to accommodate nut allergies. By law, I am required to include ingredient labels for decorated cookies and indicate any possible allergens.
Q: Can you adjust recipes for special dietary requests?
A; I must rely on my tried and truly tested recipes and will only modify within reason.
Custom Cakes & Special Orders
Q: How much notice do you need for a custom cake?
A: At minimum, two weeks' notice is required so I may procure any special ingredients needed.
Q: Can I bring in a photo or design idea for you to replicate?
A: Absolutely—however, due to artistic licensing, I will not exactly replicate another artist’s design or copywriter images, such as Disney.
Q: Do you offer cake tastings for weddings or large events?
A: I offer “cake shooters” for prospective wedding and corporate clients.
Q: How do you price custom cakes or desserts?
A: You must first know how many guests you will be serving. Pricing depends on the size of cake needed and if you will have a buttercream or fondant cake or modeling chocolate components.
Q: Do you require a deposit for special orders?
A: I require payment in full to officially book a client’s order. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Storage & Serving
Q: How long will your baked goods stay fresh?
A: Custom cookies are heat-sealed for freshness and will stay fresh for weeks if you keep them out of the heat and direct sunlight.
Q: Can your cakes and cookies be frozen or refrigerated?
A: Under NO circumstance should custom decorated cookies be stored in a refrigerator. It is perfectly okay to freeze cookies and cakes in a sealed container. Remove the container 4-5 hours from the freezer and allow to come to room-temperature before removing the lid and serving. Cakes may be stored in the refrigerator within reason. Please note, refrigerator use may dry out your cake over time.
Payments & Policies
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: All the acceptable payment methods via Shopify (major credit cards) and PayPal. Anything outside of these forms of payment are not accepted at this time.
Q: Do you require prepayment for orders?
A: Payment in full is required to officially book an order with Hayward Hens.
Q: What is your cancellation or refund policy?
A: I do not offer refunds for custom items already prepared for order. Order cancellations may be made prior to two weeks before the event. I will subtract for any expenses I’ve incurred for ingredients and components purchased solely for your order. If I must cancel your order due to an emergency, your order will be refunded through Shopify. I will also reach out to other local licensed bakers on your behalf.
Q: Do you charge extra for delivery or setup?
A: Delivery is charged according to distance and set-up is included with that fee. Set-up does not include me staying for the duration of the event, nor cutting cakes and serving them.
Extras
Q: Do you offer catering for parties or events?
A: I offer platters of desserts for corporate clients and their events.
Q: Do you teach cookie classes or workshops?
A: While I appreciate the interest in my cookie art, my work is a collective of over 40 years of hands-on experience, schooling in France, bakery internships and college. It is not a skill that can be taught in a couple hours' time.
Q: Do you make corporate gifts or branded desserts?
A: I am able to create logo cookies and cakes either by hand-painting or Icing Image sheets.
Q: Can you accommodate bulk/wholesale orders?
A: Within reason considering I have two hands and a modest kitchen.
Q: Do you participate in farmers markets or pop-ups?
A: When the weather is not so hot, you can find me at the Senoia Farmers Market or at Rail District Market in LaGrange.