It’s true. Call Victoria for your FREE birthday cake. (970)686.5005 What do you have to do to score? Become a “Friend/Fan” of Caffè Victoria on Facebook®. It’s a great way for you to stay in touch with us, learn of events and caffè closures when we have catering commitments. We love our customers and want to thank you with some lovin’ from the oven.
June 20, 2010
Caffè Victoria offers FREE Birthday Cakes! WHAAAAT????
Posted by Chef Victoria under Caffè Victoria, Cakes by Victoria | Tags: special events, Cakes, Celebrations, Wedding Cakes, Northern Colorado Bakery, Cake-Tasting, Cupcakes, Graduation, Best Bakery, celebration cakes |Leave a Comment
June 20, 2010
Desserts for a Special Occasion
Posted by Chef Victoria under Cakes by Victoria, Catering by Victoria | Tags: catering, Catering by Victoria, Catering Fort Collins, Celebrations, Colorado, Cupcakes, Desserts, Graduation, Individual Desserts, special events |Leave a Comment
Catering a special event to celebrate a great accomplishment is right up our alley.
Long, double-loaded buffet serves twice as many people.
We were honored to help them celebrate and reflect back on what it took to graduate. The food had to be special too, right down to the delicious desserts.
This event was held at Club Tico in Fort Collins City Park. If you are looking for an event venue, this one is quite charming and very comfortable.
As for the balance of desserts, there were light-as-air profiteroles filled with vanilla cream, and drizzled with rich chocolate ganache. We made special tiramisu cupcakes and luxurious red velvet cupcakes with cinnamon butter cream icing. They were displayed on a cupcake tree which added height and interest to the buffet table. 
April 7, 2010
Graduation and Wedding Cakes
Posted by Chef Victoria under Caffè Victoria, Cakes by Victoria, Catering by Victoria | Tags: Best Bakery, Cakes, Cakes by Victoria, Catering by Victoria, Colorado, Colorado Wedding Cakes, Cupcakes, Desserts, Fort Collins, Graduation, Greeley, Loveland, Northern Colorado Bakery, Social Catering, special events, Special Orders, Wedding Cakes |Leave a Comment
Graduations, weddings, milestone birthdays and anniversaries are excellent times to get together with those who are important to you. Good food, great folks, and deliciously beautiful cakes are all that you need. Catering by Victoria can help with two out of three. You just need to invite the guests. Then let the celebration begin!
SPECIALTY CAKES MENU & OPTIONS
If you have a special event coming up this Spring or Summer, you’ll be so happy to have called us. We will take care of all the details, design a wonderful cake, and arrive right on time. Everything will be set into place and your guests will absolutely be delighted. Your special event will be a fond life memory, remembered by all fortunate enough to be there. But best of all…it will be a party that you get to actually enjoy.
If you have never worked with a caterer, let us introduce you to the world of catered events. We’re excellent at working within reasonable budgets, and creating a magical event. Catering by Victoria is booking up so call sooner, rather than later, to ensure availability. We look forward to working with you!
March 8, 2010
Selecting a Baker
Posted by Chef Victoria under Cakes by Victoria | Tags: wedding, special events, bakery, Cakes, Wedding Cakes, Northern Colorado Bakery, Loveland, Greeley, Fort Collins, Cupcakes, Best Bakery, celebration cakes |1 Comment
Specialty Cakes Menu & Options
With changing economic times, and millions of Americans finding themselves out of work, some are taking to baking. Wherever you may live, you will have many more options of bakers to create your cake. Some are licensed, some are not. Some are skilled, and some, sadly, are not. It is up to you to do your homework and research the person(s) you plan to hire for a very important piece of your wedding celebration. So how do you do this? How do you find a skilled, professional cake artist? How do guarantee that your baker is dedicated to creating your cake, and not just doing it “on-the-side” to make some cash?
PRICE
Pricing is not necessarily a way to spot an amateur, but it could be. Someone creating cakes out of their home essentially only have the cost of their ingredients, minimal utilities and their time. Naturally, they can create cakes very much below professional bakers. This sounds great from the get -go, however, there are somethings to take into consideration.
www.mistebar.com/LetThemEatCake.htm
Does this amateur have the basic skills to create the cake they have promised you? What assurance do you have that they have the ability to perform as contracted? Do they have a business license? What recourse would you have if something happens to the cake en route to the reception and becomes unservable? That would be a huge piece missing out of your reception celebration.
Amateur bakers do not typically carry business insurance. Another way for them to keep their costs down, yes. But another way for you, as the consumer, to be behind the eight ball. Is it worth the risk on your wedding day?
Old adage rings true…”you get what you pay for.”
LOCATION
If the health department does not do inspections on the kitchen, where your cake will be made, what assurance do you have that it is a clean kitchen? Does your baker plan to bake and decorate your cake in their residence? Does their family pet live in the home? Does their cat walk the countertops during their midnight prowl? Do they have adequate refrigeration to contain their personal food and a tiered wedding cake? No guarantees, and something to consider strongly. How horrible would it be if guests at your wedding became ill? Sadly it would ruin their fond memory of your wedding.
Structurally unsound cakes stacked without proper support can pose a problem. www.engagements.ca
PORTFOLIO
Have you seen pictures of prior cakes made by your baker? You don’t want to be a guinea pig when it comes to your wedding cake. Experience matters, and the baker you select should have multiple cakes in their portfolio. There is an art and a design to creating multi-tiered cakes. Structurally sound cakes are paramount. We don’t want to have your cake listing, leaning, tilting or coming crashing down at t
he reception. Amateur bakers naive about structure have made devastating mistakes, ruining the reception.
TASTING
Is it possible for you to taste the cakes your baker creates? Without tasting the cake, what assurance to do you have that this baker has culinary skills? Nothing is quite so disappointing than to have a beautiful cake on display only to have the flavor fall flat. You deserve a wedding cake that is both beautiful and delicious. Doesn’t sound unreasonable, I know, but not all cakes are created equal. Know your baker and their corresponding skills.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
When you interview your prospective baker, there are some key questions you may want answers to.
- How many wedding cakes have you made? How long have you been making cakes?
- Where will my cake be baked and decorated?
- Are you licensed? With the State? With the Health Department?
- Do you have a contract?
- How do I know my cake will be like you promise? What guarantee will you stand behind?
- Do you have references?
- Will you deliver? How long will you need to set up?
- Is that included in the price?
- Do you have a “back-up plan” in case anything goes wrong?
- Can I pay you after the ceremony?
The selection and contracting of your baker to create your wedding cake is an important step in planning your reception. Doing your homework ahead will behoove you. Asking these questions above is a good place to start in selecting the baker. When possible verify their answers. Check references. You will be glad you have piece of mind when the final details of your special day are coming together. Professionals are bound by ethics, standards and customer satisfaction. The sister of you fiance’s old classmate is not. Be wise and be happy.
January 26, 2010
Wedding and Specialty Cake Tastings Scheduled
Posted by Chef Victoria under Caffè Victoria, Cakes by Victoria, Catering by Victoria | Tags: Best Bakery, Bridal, Bridal Festival, Brides, Cake Tastings, Cakes, Cakes by Victoria, Cupcakes, Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Northern Colorado Bakery, Red Velvet, special events, wedding, Wedding Cakes |[4] Comments
CAKES BY VICTORIA periodically hosts Cake Tasting Events. The scheduling of these events has something to do with our availability. As we are now in our busiest seasons, tasting events will be less frequent. If you cannot make a scheduled tasting and are interested in our cakes, please call (970)686.5005 and we will try to accommodate you.
Upcoming Dates:
- Sunday, September 12th, Bridal Festival, The Ranch, Loveland, CO – Free Admission
- Saturday, October 16th @ Caffè Victoria
- Saturday, January 15th @ Caffè Victoria
Tastings held: 3 – 5p.m.
Join us to sample a variety of delicious cakes, meet our cake artists, and view our extensive portfolios and cake gallery.
Reservations are $5 per person and include samples of the following flavors:
- Traditional White Cake filled with Vanilla Buttercream & Fresh Strawberries
- Dark Chocolate Cake filled with Chocolate Fudge Buttercream
- Luxurious Red Velvet Cake filled with Cream Cheese Buttercream
- Italian Creme Cake filled with Sweetened Mascarpone
- Pumpkin Spice Cake filled with Cream Cheese Buttercream
View our cake models and page through our wedding and specialty cakes portfolio.
Refreshments provided by Caffè Victoria.
Pre-registration is sincerely appreciated to attend the cake tasting event. Register by phone at 970/686.5005, or you can register the day of the event, space allowing.
December 27, 2009
Best Wedding Trends for 2010
Posted by Chef Victoria under Cakes by Victoria, Catering by Victoria | Tags: Budgets, Buffet, Cakes, Catering by Victoria, Event Planning, Food, peacock, Receptions, Social Catering, special events, Trends, Wedding Cakes, Weddings |1 Comment
Christmas and New Year’s are excellent occasions for Popping the Question. Every year about this time, our phone begins ring with newly engaged couples seeking our services. As professionals, it is our duty and responsibility to know the ins and outs of planning weddings. That is, what’s “IN” and what’s not. Some bridal couples want just the latest, and some are looking for long-standing traditions. We help them realize their wants, wishes and dreams.
Budgets are very much a trend for brides these days. Finding ways to create special days especially frugally is important to many couples. Please visit our early post entitled Planning a Wedding on a Tight Budget for some tips and ideas. This post highlights trending ideas for the reception, buffet and cakes.
RECEPTION: As more and more wedding pavilions and venues are popping up, some brides are opting for money-saving ideas such as backyard receptions and public parks with covered structures. Depending up the size and scope of the reception, these may be good options for saving money.
When choosing a venue, consider the timing of your reception, along with weather, seasonal busyness and guest accessibility. Most caterers will not cater events without running water, electricity and shelter, so this is an important detail to discuss with your hired professionals. Often, public park pavilions are available by reservation and this really is something to manage if you intend to hold the reception in a public place. Be aware that public does mean public, and you may have people wander through which can be very . Consider holding the reception on a private lake, scenic ranch estate or church rectory as an alternative. For outdoor weddings, tenting can often be rented and set up by the rental company. Feel free to call us for some contact information.
Some ethnic cuisines are very delicious and affordable.
BUFFET: A catered buffet is a major expense for the reception. However, depending on the menu selection, there are ways to feed your guests well, without busting your budget. Certain foods are less expensive to prepare than others. Consider before you decide on a menu what you would like your guests to think about the food you serve them. What are the most important factors, beauty, taste or economics. A menu with beautiful bite-sized appetizers may be very delicious, however perhaps not so filling for your guests. A delicious, simple menu may be quite yummy, and filling, but not very original or elegant. Which of these menu options is going to fit best in your catering budget? Consult your caterer, or gives us a call for some excellent menu suggestions. This is a service we provide to our clients which helps them select the right menu and food options specifically for them.
CAKES: Bridal couples are more commonly choosing smaller ceremonial cakes with the balance of servings in sheet cakes. They are also opting for cakes iced with smooth butter cream icing, instead of rolled fondant. Butter cream offers a better flavor than fondant, and experienced cake decorators can achieve a similar smooth finish effect.
Wedding cakes are trending in a more simple, yet elegant appearance. You will see them decorated with colors found in the bridal ceremony. Teal, blues, and bright greens are the hot colors this year. Think of the colors of the peacock, and you will have the right cues. Some brides are asking their bridesmaids to wear monochromatic dresses, of slightly different styling, with a common color running through out. These same colors are finding their way on to the cakes, and as accents on the guest tables.
Black and dark chocolate browns will be used through out as contrasting colors on the cakes and groomsmen.
Expect trending cake flavors such as pistachio, red velvet, pumpkin spice and German’s sweet chocolate. However, as ever, traditional white cake with white cream filling still remains popular. Icing will be piped in dress colors, black and chocolate brown in polkadots, damaske prints and a bit whimsical patterns. Fresh flowers are still a popular choice for cake toppers, as are metalic monograms. Birds, butterflies and dragonflies continue to land on cakes too.
The fact that budgets are “IN” is a very good thing. We like to help bridal couples experience a special, life-memory for them and those who are important to them. In doing so, we strive to help them stay within a reasonable budget. After the lights have dimmed, and the party is over, the last thing anyone wants is a big bill that they weren’t counting on. You can rest assured in working with us, we operate with full disclosure of all expenses upfront, and no hidden anything. We think you’ll find our approach refreshing and our services exceptional.
November 30, 2009
Planning A Wedding on A Tight Budget
Posted by Chef Victoria under Caffè Victoria, Cakes by Victoria, Catering by Victoria | Tags: Budgets, Event Planning, special events, Wedding Cakes, Weddings |1 Comment
What is the secret to creating a wedding plan that produces an event that is a wonderful life memory? A plan. It comes from a very good plan. Now there are professionals to help you with your plan, if you so choose. But if you have some stamina, and you have some basic organization, it is completely feasible for you to work up your plan. 
Other Items To Consider
Your Budget & Selecting Vendors
When you are planning a wedding on a budget, especially a low budget, cost is very much an issue. The cost of every aspect needs to be evaluated honestly, and considered when making and adhering to your plan. Let’s first talk about the various expenses you might encounter in planning a wedding.
Ceremony and Reception
- Invitations, Printing, Thank You Notes & Postage 5-10%
- The Dress & Formal Wear 5-10%
- Flowers 10 -15%
- Rings – not typically included in budget
- Church/Hall/Venue Expense 5-10%
- Clergy or Officiator Fee $50-500
- Decorations 5-10%
- Bridal Party Gifts/Favors 2-5%
- Vehicles, optional
- Photography/Videography 5-10%
- Musicians/Singers / DJ’s 5-10%
- Catering 20-30%
- Beverages, Bar or Champagne Toast
- Cake(s) 3- 10%
- Bar or Wait Staff 5-10%
- Table Linens & Napkins 1-2%
Honeymoon
- Travel & Accommodation Expenses, varies
- Spending Money for Excursions/Entertainment, discretionary
- Special Clothing/Items Needed for Trip, discretionary
Other Items To Consider
- Accommodations for out-of-town guests
- Time out of work for planning meetings, fittings, shopping, honeymoon, etc.
- Guest List & RSVP’s
- Color Schemes & Themes
This may not be an exhaustive list of expenses, as each wedding is different. Some will include all of these aspects, and additional ones to boot. Some will include a more simplified version of this list. In the long run, what matters most is having those close to you included in your plan to help you celebrate a very important event in your life.
Your Budget & Selecting Vendors
When you plan your ceremony, keep in mind your wants, wishes and budget. The best possible way to find out what your expenses for your ceremony will be is to do some shopping and phone calling. Much information can now be located on the internet. It can be time consuming, but there are some excellent ideas out there. When you begin to narrow down your preferences for the ceremony, checking availability is next.
Having a budget for the wedding dress is critical. The wedding dress, like the bride, should be unique. It is a focal point of the ceremony and reception. Whatever you choose for the dress, it should represent the Bride. Before you go dress shopping in a store, do a bit a research ahead. You should know what dresses cost, the high and the low, and find a price range that fits within your comfort zone and budget. You don’t want to show up at the boutique and have a case of sticker shock. You want to be the one who calls the shots, and dictates the price point. Depending on your planning time, be prepared to walk out without a dress if you feel the prices aren’t working for you.
Trying on the dresses will be a wonderful help in living the day in a white dress. What style is comfortable on your frame? What do you want the dress to say about you? Classy, Sexy, Glitzy, Elegant…Let the attendant at the bridal store know this, and help them narrow down choices for you based on your wishes. You need not try on 30 dresses to find “the one.” Now that you have the dress on, walk around in it. Shake your booty in it, if you plan to at the reception. Is it comfortable, does it have slipping straps, too much fabric? It’s a great feeling when you select the dress you feel the best in, and check it off your list.
While pricing is important for adhering to your budget, there are some other things to consider about working with professionals. By and large, you can expect to get what you pay for. True professionals may cost you a bit more, but what price can you put our your ease and peace of mind? Far best to work with those who know the business and have been around the block a few times, than those who are still wet behind the ears, yet offer you a steal of a deal. By doing a bit of research up front, you can begin to formulate a list of questions you should be prepared to ask of the professionals providing goods and services. You can glean much information from them by simply asking some key questions.
- What is included in their price, and what is NOT included?
- How much say will you have in the final decisions?
- What can I expect the day of the wedding?
- Do you have a legal contract?
- Are you insured?
- What happens if we have to cancel?
- Do you guaranty your services/product?
- Do you have references?
Where applicable, view their portfolio. Ask them for real-life experiences, (i.e. there favorite experience, and also if the had any difficult weddings.) You will be enlightened by the things they are willing to share.
Your vendors should see you as a person, and as an important client. Remember, they WORK for YOU! Do be afraid to give them an opportunity to earn your trust and business. When you sign a contract with them you should have full confidence in the vendor and it should feel reassuring to check that detail off your To Do List.
Timing isn’t everything…but it is important
Allowing enough time to plan the wedding is important. Weddings can be planned quickly, when necessary. However, you may lose out on options if your planning period is too close to the actual event date. If you do not already have a wedding checklist, you may find this site helpful: http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/planning/checklist/12-10months.asp
In your planning, please remember, the professional staff at Catering by Victoria offers the following services:- Exquisite Catering, for all budgets & a variety of authentic cuisines.
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Rehearsal Dinners – Parties under 35 guests can be accommodate at Caffè Victoria. Larger parties can be catered off-site.
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Showers & Bachelorette Parties
- Custom designed wedding & grooms cakes
- Day-after brunch
- Milestone Anniversary Parties
- Bartending, Wait & Buffet Staff
- Food & Wine Pairing
- Event Planning & Coordinating
With ample time, energy and practical sense, you can plan and have a life-long dream of a wonderful wedding. You can do all this, and work it from the angle of keeping it within your budget. If we can help you, please do not hesitate to call.
November 5, 2009
He Honored His Wife, Celebrated Her Life!
Posted by Chef Victoria under Cakes by Victoria, Catering by Victoria | Tags: Cakes, House Party, Menu, Milestones, special events, Theme Party, Tropical |1 Comment
It was mid-August when I received the call… His wife was having a milestone birthday. He wanted to throw a BIG bash for her with a tropical theme. Her birthday present was a week in Hawaii. Is this guy great or what? By far the nicest couple we had the fortune of working with this summer. It truly was our pleasure to help him put the details together for a tropical party for his very dear wife.
The event took place on a farm out east, and outdoors. When I arrived for the site check it was truly an empty canvass to work on. It definitely did NOT say “beach, tropics or island”…”deserted”, yes. However, when we arrived with the food, it had been transformed, complete, with a TIKI bar. Leis were being handed out, and the smell of grilling pork wafed. But the most important part was the giant lovely smile on the birthday girl. It was a special day, for a special lady. 
Once the buffet was set, we put the specialty cake on its pedestal. How delighted everyone was with the beach-themed cake. The cake topper was fondant beach towels, with flip-flops and ooops…a bikini top! It was an immediately stacked two tier cake. One tier was our wonderful carrot cake filled with cream cheese icing, and the bottome tier was lucious buttermilk chocolate with our famous chocolate buttercream. It’s a fudgy wonder which is astonishingly good everytime its tasted.
If you have a special event coming up, we hope you will give us a call and allow us the privilege of helping you realize a life memory. We have a complete professional staff, and a variety of services we can provide. We will customize a menu with all your favorite things, all the while keeping your budget in the foremost of our planning. 
September 9, 2009
We Celebrate Life!
Posted by Chef Victoria under Catering by Victoria | Tags: Cakes, catering, Catering by Victoria, House Party, party!, special events |Leave a Comment
Life’s special moments, the memories we hold on to, they are found in the heart of our celebrations.
The menu was chosen. A site visit occurred. The details were discussed and decided upon. A very special party was going to take place in two weeks. Oh, and shhhhhhhhhh, it’s going to be a surprise!
We arrived on time with our gear and finely prepared foods. Tonight we delivered and set up a wonderful spread of appetizers and a personalized two tiered, immediately stacked, specialty cake. As we unloaded and set up, I checked with the hostess. Checking about the arrival time of her husband and his best friend, and inquiring if we should move the delivery vehicle from the driveway, we were told not too worry about it. They weren’t exactly sure on the precise arrival time, but all the guests would venture out into the driveway to greet them as they drove up.
Meanwhile, the band in the backyard was tuning up. The cake was in place on the dining room table, with plates, forks and napkins. A two-tiered cake that was a blissful carrot cake with cream cheese icing, and dark buttermilk chocolate cake with fudgey buttercream. Two wonderful tastes, because it was too tought to decide on just one flavor. A sentimental inscription had been piped on the outside of the cake in burgundy and forest green icing, favorite colors of the man of the night.
Meanwhile…it the kitchen we completed plating the crispy potato cakes with creme fraiche and smoked salmon, and the house was rather quiet. A few people came in from the backyard and commented on how “yummy” it smelled “in here.” Thanking them, they were told that everyone else had made their way out to the front drive to await their arrival. They moved-it-on-out, not wanting to miss the arrival. All the food was now in place. The marinated lamb chops with cherry port reduction sauce, the Alsatian onion tarts, the creamy chicken marsala with rustic bread, black olive and sweet tomato bruschetta, and Italian sausage stuffed mushrooms, all had been served and awaited the hungry guests.
A few minutes later, we heard a thump, thump, thumping overhead. Was that a helicopter? It sounded like it was flying rather low….was it getting closer? Was it going to land in the backyard? It sounded like it might. What a surprise! Yes, in fact, the helicopter was landing adjacent to the rented vinyl tent where the band made their final sound checks. The crowd that had gathered in the driveway had witnessed the arrival of the helicopter and made their way toward it to greet the birthday man. Everyone was surprised, everyone, except for this man’s best buddy who had orchestrated the cleverly sly helicopter ride. A surprise for everyone, everyone, including this man’s wife who had planned and prepared for this party.
These are the times of our lives, the special life memories that we recall. Those days and nights that define us and hold special places in our hearts. Catering by Victoria has assisted and participated in many, many of these types of special events, all summer long. It’s what we do. We help people celebrate their lives. If you haven’t had the opportunity lately, find an occasion, call us, and let the party begin!
