Bizarre question, cake related.

[kaykayblue]

I'm so sorry that this is so random, but there is no "cake" or "wedding" section on the boards..er...and wedding cake is sort of relationship related....ish...

I was just wondering if anyone has ever had a croque en bouche from patisserie valerie, and if so, a rough estimate of how much it cost?

I'm based overseas, and desperately want to avoid more ridiculous wedding spam going into my inbox, so thought I would ask the masses if you have any experience.

That's everything! I hope someone can help!

This can be deleted if it's too tenuous for the board!

[BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted]

Maison Bertaux on Greek Street make them to order. There are pics of them on their website. Dunno about prices but I think they make much better cakes than Valerie's. I have a friend who used to work for Patisserie Valerie who told me some stuff about their practices which put me right off spending any money with them.

Why don't you phone both and ask for some prices?

[ihatethecold]

Bitter. I want you to spill the beans about PV.
I love their Macarons. .

[kaykayblue]

Thanks - I was hoping to put off calling as overseas charges are an absolute bitch, but if it's my only option then I will try later in the week.

I think Maison Bertaux charges a literal fortune, but I'll have a look to see if I can find anything on their site.

I was hoping to spend around £140 for a small one - we will be having other desserts as well.

[kentishgirl]

If you look on their website, they have the cost of another similar wedding cake - 'profiteroles valerie style'. 20 portions £90, 30 portions £135.

[BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted]

I'd be happy to call them on your behalf tomorrow if it's any help. Just need to know how many portions you need.

[kaykayblue]

You ladies are so wonderful!! I didn't see the valerie style cake you mention - I will take another look.

I think 20 portions would be enough with the other cakes we are having - especially considering the rather bizarre price disparity....!

[SuzanneSays]

What bizarre price disparity? Works out at 4.50 a serving no? wink

[coffeeinbed]

You can use Skype to call a landline anywhere. Costs pennies.

[BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted]

I've just phoned Patisserie Valerie (020 7437 3466) and enquired. For 30 persons it will be 7.00 each. They would like 48 hours notice and the cake can be ordered and paid for online. There was some indication that they would like more information about fillings and whatnot but the chap was French and I wasn't paying much attention because I didn't have enough information about what choices would need to be made. I've never eaten a croque-en-bouche but I would like to now....

Maison Bertaux couldn't confirm prices because the right person was not present and they suggested I call back on Thursday (020 7437 6007). But they suggested they would require 4 days notice and that ordering and payment be made not online but by phone. I'd be happy to call them back on Thursday for more information if you like.

[BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted]

Sorry for the typo: that's 20 persons not 30

[SecretSpy]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/wedding Here is the wedding section for you

FWIW I think those cakes look fab. I had a chocolate cake with white cigarillos all round and sugarpaste flowers - it was beautiful and delicious.

[kaykayblue]

Thank you so much Bitter - that is hugely helpful. £7.00 per person sounds more expensive than we were hoping for - I think I have seen one place that did it for about £4.50 a person, but I'll have to double check as all the websites are blending into one in my head!

No need to ring Maison Bertaux, although I'm extremely grateful for the offer - I saw in a wedding forum that someone was quoted - and I kid you not - £1000 for 70 portions. The mind boggles!!!

Thanks secretspy for the link to the wedding section. I may or may not do some stalking....

[BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted]

It's a wedding cake so the premium is absolutely MASSIVE. Same goes for almost anything connected to weddings.

Give me a few days ad I'll learn how to make one. I can already make pretty decent choux pastry and profiteroles, so it can't be that hard!

p.s. you might want to get in touch with a pattissier called "Konditor and Cook" I've had some special occasion cakes from there are they are superb

[kaykayblue]

ahaha! Thank you!! I will check out Konditor and Cook - never heard of them before....

We actually have a wedding cake of some description already sorted out - a friend is doing it (we hope...confirmation tbc). But we were hoping to appease the french guests with at least a small croque en bouche.

If it looks like it will be too expensive then they will just have to deal with the horror that is an actual wedding cake

I just feel bad that there is no real frenchness in our wedding.

[kaykayblue]

I even tried to learn how to do macarons, thinking I could cook up a shit load of them a couple of days before.

Unfortunately I think my macarons would exacerbate the problem rather than alleviating it...