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. Bookings are strictly by appointment only.
Q: What types of baked goods do you offer?
A: Everything is custom made and fresh to order. I make wedding cakes and other special occasion cakes, cupcakes with custom edible toppers, cakecicles, brownies, cheesecakes, dessert shooters, and award winning 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. It is frowned upon to attempt a last minute baking. Something special takes time and forethought to prepare.
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, however, I do have considerable experience with dairy-free and sugar-free desserts as well as 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. You must verify with your venue caterer that they have someone qualified to cut and serve your cake and that they can accommodate refrigeration for your cake.
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 tolerable and my schedule allows.