Babycakes NYC
Babycakes NYC: A Final Word
An interesting set of events occurred over the last few weeks between this Allergic Girl and Babycakes NYC.
A friend, knowing I have multiple food allergies/sensitivities and this blog, made a generous email introduction to a colleague who works at the PR firm that is now representing Babycakes NYC. My friend was completely unaware of my past history with Babycakes NYC but I followed up with her friend, thinking this might be a golden opportunity for some allergen-free healing.
After I explained my past history with the bakery, the publicist said she would, “…pass along your questions to owner Erin McKenna to her to allow her an opportunity to address them.”
Great!
However, I still felt mistrustful of the owner and the bakery based upon my previous experiences and my questions reflected that level of lingering mistrust. Below is a sample of what I sent.
**
Question: Is your bakery nut-free?
Question: Do you still use spelt as a wheat-free cupcake option? [NOTE this is from the Babycakes website.]
Question: Please tell me about your staff training on food allergens. Who conducts your training? How often?
Question: If a consumer needs more allergen information than the website or sales staff can provide, who can they contact?
**
This was the reply I received: “Erin does not wish to participate in this Q&A as she reviewed the site and does not feel comfortable giving any further information to you at this time. I apologize as I know you have been waiting for these answers, but unfortunately, Erin is not willing to participate”.
Sigh. That's a shame. It could have been the start of a beautiful allergen-free friendship.
Shame too because many of you write in asking about an allergy-friendly bakery in NYC. I would've liked to recommend Babycakes NYC. I’d like to eat there myself; but I can’t feel comfortable and safe when I don’t know what I’m eating, how it’s been prepared, or how the staff is trained about allergies.
So, my final word on Babycakes NYC: I can not patronize, endorse nor recommend any establishment, especially one advertising itself as allergen-friendly, that does not have transparent food safety and business practices.
An interesting set of events occurred over the last few weeks between this Allergic Girl and Babycakes NYC.
A friend, knowing I have multiple food allergies/sensitivities and this blog, made a generous email introduction to a colleague who works at the PR firm that is now representing Babycakes NYC. My friend was completely unaware of my past history with Babycakes NYC but I followed up with her friend, thinking this might be a golden opportunity for some allergen-free healing.
After I explained my past history with the bakery, the publicist said she would, “…pass along your questions to owner Erin McKenna to her to allow her an opportunity to address them.”
Great!
However, I still felt mistrustful of the owner and the bakery based upon my previous experiences and my questions reflected that level of lingering mistrust. Below is a sample of what I sent.
**
Question: Is your bakery nut-free?
Question: Do you still use spelt as a wheat-free cupcake option? [NOTE this is from the Babycakes website.]
Question: Please tell me about your staff training on food allergens. Who conducts your training? How often?
Question: If a consumer needs more allergen information than the website or sales staff can provide, who can they contact?
**
This was the reply I received: “Erin does not wish to participate in this Q&A as she reviewed the site and does not feel comfortable giving any further information to you at this time. I apologize as I know you have been waiting for these answers, but unfortunately, Erin is not willing to participate”.
Sigh. That's a shame. It could have been the start of a beautiful allergen-free friendship.
Shame too because many of you write in asking about an allergy-friendly bakery in NYC. I would've liked to recommend Babycakes NYC. I’d like to eat there myself; but I can’t feel comfortable and safe when I don’t know what I’m eating, how it’s been prepared, or how the staff is trained about allergies.
So, my final word on Babycakes NYC: I can not patronize, endorse nor recommend any establishment, especially one advertising itself as allergen-friendly, that does not have transparent food safety and business practices.
Comments
but no dice.
which is even more troubling...
this PR firm is not going to be lauded as very credible if it's owner isn't forthcoming with the ingredients as an 'allergen-free' bakery.
i'm curious as to what exactly are these secret ingredients that Babycakes can't reveal.
revealing it can only boost their branding, reputation and credibility.
perhaps they've no idea how far the reach of blogs are.
thanks for your comment.
these days they have the ingredients listed on their site, which is great!
however, when i went in there at the beginning on the year they said they were a "nut-free" bakery.
now the site says their GF flours are processed in a facility that processes nuts. "We do not bake with nuts; however, some of our vendors store nuts in the same facility as our chocolate products. Additionally, all of our gluten free flours are processed on on equipment that packages hazelnut and almond flours."
so my question to them [i didnt print the whole question, it was long] was more about a clarification about their nut-free-ness.
and still no reply.
--catherine, i hear you, "really sensitive"? what does that mean exactly? that's kinda of scary too.
Thanks for your work on this blog!
I will update these notes on our site. thanks!
you hit on the right question: what are they hiding?
and yes very disappointing, and surprising given that so many bigger companies like dr. praeger's have been so great, and forthcoming, and communicative.
Even if her answers made us realize that it isn't safe for those with celiac or a nut allergy, her honesty would have spoke volumes.
sigh....