How do I place an order?

Orders for select desserts, semi-custom cakes, and seasonal items may be placed directly through our website.

Custom cakes, weddings, corporate catering, large events, and specialty orders may require an inquiry and custom invoice.

Submitting an inquiry does not reserve your date. Your order is confirmed only after the required payment or retainer has been received.

How far in advance should I order?

We recommend placing custom cake and catering orders at least 2 weeks in advance whenever possible.

Availability is limited and dates may book earlier during holidays, wedding season, Mardi Gras/King Cake season, and other high-volume periods.

Rush orders requested with less than 72 hours' notice may be accepted based on availability and are subject to a 20% rush fee.

How do I book a custom cake?

Once the design, servings, flavors, pricing, pickup or delivery details, and event date have been agreed upon, a 50% non-refundable retainer is required to reserve your date.

The remaining balance is due 7 days before the event.

Orders placed within 7 days of the event generally require payment in full at the time of booking.

Your date is not reserved until the required payment has been received.

Are retainers refundable or transferable?

No. Retainers are non-refundable and non-transferable.

A retainer reserves production time specifically for your order and event date. Retainers cannot be transferred to another date, order, or customer if an event is canceled or postponed.

Can I make changes to my order after booking?

Please review all order details carefully before approving your order, including:

• Event date

• Pickup or delivery time

• Names and spelling

• Cake inscriptions

• Flavors

• Servings

• Design details

• Dietary requests

We will do our best to accommodate reasonable changes when sufficient notice is provided.

Changes may result in additional charges. Requests made close to the event date cannot always be accommodated because ingredients, decorations, staffing, and production may already have been scheduled.

What is your cancellation policy?

Because our cakes, desserts, and catering orders are made specifically for each client, payments and retainers are generally non-refundable once an order has been confirmed.

If you need to cancel an order, please contact us as soon as possible.

Any remaining unpaid balance will be handled according to the cancellation terms associated with your individual order or invoice.

Retainers and payments already designated as non-refundable will not be transferred to another event date or future order.

Do you offer corporate catering?

Yes! Corporate catering is one of our specialties.

Elisa's Cake by the #Pound provides catering throughout Chicago for:

• Office lunches

• Staff and team meetings

• Executive meetings

• Board meetings

• Corporate celebrations

• Conferences

• Employee appreciation events

• Community events

• Client meetings

• Breakfast meetings

• Dessert receptions

• Production and artist hospitality

• Holiday parties and seasonal events

We offer boxed lunches, breakfast, hot entrées, salads, sides, appetizers, desserts, dessert bars, custom cakes, and seasonal catering packages.

Do you offer boxed lunches?

Yes. Our corporate boxed lunches are designed for meetings, office lunches, workshops, and other professional events.

Options may include sandwiches such as chicken salad croissants, turkey and cheddar baguettes, and caprese baguettes, along with sides and premium chips.

Please refer to our current catering menu for available selections and minimum quantities.

Do you offer breakfast catering?

Yes. Breakfast catering is available for corporate meetings, board meetings, staff events, and other gatherings.

Available selections may include items such as muffins, parfaits, kolaches, cinnamon rolls, fruit, breakfast sandwiches, and other seasonal offerings.

Menu availability may vary throughout the year.

Do you offer dessert catering?

Absolutely.

Dessert catering is one of our signature services and can be ordered independently or added to breakfast, lunch, or event catering.

Options may include:

• Dessert shooters

• Cheesecakes

• Banana pudding

• Cookies

• Cupcakes

• Brownies and dessert bars

• Tarts

• Mini cakes

• Bundt cakes

• Custom cakes

• Seasonal desserts

• Curated dessert bars

Our Fall/Winter/Holiday and Spring/Summer menus feature additional seasonal selections.

Is there a catering minimum?

Minimum quantities vary depending on the menu item or catering package.

Many individual catering selections are sold by the dozen, tray, pan, gallon, or package.

Minimums and serving quantities will be listed on the applicable menu or provided with your catering quote.

How far in advance should I order catering?

We recommend submitting catering orders at least 2 weeks before your event, especially for larger corporate events.

We may be able to accommodate orders with shorter notice depending on our production schedule.

Catering requests placed within 72 hours are considered rush orders and, when accepted, may be subject to a 20% rush fee.

Large events and holiday catering should be reserved as early as possible.

Do you deliver catering orders?

Yes. Delivery is available throughout Chicago and select surrounding areas based on availability.

Delivery fees are determined by the location, order size, delivery window, parking/access requirements, and any setup needed.

For offices and venues, please provide any important delivery information in advance, including loading dock instructions, security requirements, floor or suite number, parking procedures, and a day-of contact.

Do you provide catering setup?

Most of our catering is designed for convenient drop-off service.

Basic placement or setup may be available depending on the order and event requirements. More extensive setup should be discussed when requesting your quote so appropriate staffing and fees can be included.

Do you provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?

Yes. Elisa's Cake by the #Pound is licensed and insured, and a Certificate of Insurance (COI) can be provided when required by your company, venue, property management, or event organizer.

Please provide any specific COI requirements in advance.

Can my company pay by invoice?

Yes.

Corporate and catering clients may receive an electronic Square invoice that can be paid securely online.

If your organization has specific vendor onboarding, purchasing, invoicing, or payment requirements, please let us know before placing the order.

Do you accept tax-exempt organizations?

Yes. Valid tax-exempt documentation may be submitted for qualifying orders.

Tax-exempt documentation should be provided before the invoice is finalized or payment is submitted.

Is gratuity added to catering orders?

An 18% gratuity is applied to the food subtotal on catering orders.

Delivery, taxes, equipment, rentals, staffing, or other applicable charges are calculated separately.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions or food allergies?

Please notify us of dietary restrictions or food allergies before placing your order.

Some menu items may be available in gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or other modified options; however, availability varies by item.

Our kitchen handles multiple common allergens. While we take care when preparing orders, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment or guarantee against cross-contact.

Where are you located?

Elisa's Cake by the #Pound is located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago.

We are a made-to-order business and do not maintain a daily retail inventory or walk-in storefront.

Pickup is available by appointment for eligible orders.

What should I know when picking up a cake?

Please arrive with enough flat space in your vehicle to safely accommodate your cake box.

Cakes should travel on a flat, level surface, preferably in the trunk or cargo area of the vehicle.

Do not place cakes on a seat, lap, or other uneven surface.

Once an order has been picked up, the customer assumes responsibility for safely transporting and storing the cake.

How should I store my cake?

Unless we provide different instructions with your order, cakes should be kept refrigerated and protected inside their original box.

Keep cakes away from heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and strong odors.

For the best flavor and texture, many buttercream cakes can be removed from refrigeration shortly before serving so they can begin returning to a comfortable serving temperature.

Specific storage instructions may vary depending on the cake, filling, frosting, season, and weather.

How long will my cake stay fresh?

For the best quality, we recommend enjoying cakes and most fresh desserts within approximately 3 days of pickup or delivery.

Always follow any additional storage instructions provided with your specific order.

Do I need to remove anything before cutting my cake?

Possibly.

Custom cakes may contain internal supports, dowels, acrylic or wooden toppers, floral picks, wires, skewers, or other decorative elements that are not intended for consumption.

Remove all non-edible decorations and supports before serving.

What happens once a cake has been delivered?

If Elisa's Cake by the #Pound delivers your cake, we are responsible for the cake until it has been successfully delivered or set up at the agreed location.

Once delivery or setup has been completed and the cake has been accepted, responsibility for the cake transfers to the client, venue, planner, or designated recipient.

Cakes should remain in a stable, temperature-controlled environment and should not be placed outdoors, in direct sunlight, or near a heat source unless specifically discussed in advance.

How are prices determined?

Prices are based on the specific products and services requested.

For custom cakes, pricing may be affected by:

• Cake size and servings

• Number of tiers or layers

• Design complexity

• Flavors and fillings

• Decorative elements

• Custom toppers

• Delivery

• Setup

For catering, pricing depends on menu selections, quantities, guest count, delivery requirements, and any requested setup or additional services.

The price shown on your approved invoice or website order is the price associated with that order unless you request changes.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Payments may be made securely through our website or through a Square invoice.

Electronic payment is required unless another arrangement has been approved in advance.

When is my final cake payment due?

For custom cake orders requiring a retainer, the remaining balance is due 7 days before the event.

Orders placed within 7 days of the event generally require full payment at booking.

Catering and corporate invoice due dates will be stated on the applicable invoice.

Orders will not be released or delivered until all required payments have been received.

What happens if my payment is declined?

If a payment is declined or reversed, the order will not be completed, released, or delivered until payment has been successfully resolved.

The customer is responsible for any additional costs that result from a failed or delayed payment.

Do you recreate cakes exactly from inspiration photos?

Inspiration photos are welcome and help us understand the overall look, colors, style, and details you like.

However, we do not guarantee an exact replica of another cake artist's work. Your cake will be created in the style of Elisa's Cake by the #Pound while incorporating the agreed-upon elements of your inspiration.

Do you offer wedding cakes?

Yes.

We create custom wedding cakes and can also provide desserts for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, welcome events, showers, and other wedding celebrations.

Wedding inquiries should include your event date, venue, estimated guest count, preferred design, flavors, and any delivery or setup requirements.

Do you offer tastings?

Tasting availability depends on the type and size of the event.

If a tasting is appropriate for your wedding or large event, available options and associated fees will be discussed during the inquiry process.

Can you provide desserts and catering for large events?

Yes.

We regularly provide cakes, desserts, breakfast, lunch, and catering for corporate meetings, universities, community organizations, private celebrations, and large-scale events.

For larger events, please provide your estimated guest count, event date, location, service time, menu needs, and budget when submitting your inquiry. This allows us to recommend the most appropriate quantities and service options.

Do you keep cakes or desserts available for same-day purchase?

No.

Elisa's Cake by the #Pound is primarily a made-to-order bakery and catering business. We do not keep a daily inventory of cakes or desserts available for walk-in purchase.

Occasionally, limited seasonal or promotional items may be offered for preorder through our website.

How can I contact Elisa's Cake by the #Pound?

For the fastest service, please submit the appropriate inquiry or order through our website.

When contacting us about an event, please include:

• Your name

• Event date

• Event location

• Estimated guest count

• Type of event

• Products or catering services needed

• Preferred pickup or delivery time

• Any dietary requirements

• Your approximate budget, when applicable

Providing these details allows us to respond more efficiently and accurately.