So who exactly is Olive?  Or James, for that matter?
My kitchen is on Olive Court here in Iowa City. My quality control supervisor is my son, James.  My daughter, as the second born, does not get to be part of the name.  However, she does get to eat cake scraps.

Do you have a retail shop?
No.  Every order is made to order.  I do not have cakes just lying around waiting to be purchased by someone who wanders by.  Mostly because my husband and neighbors would probably eat them first.

So how do I get a cake?
Simple!  Just call me at 341-5926 or e-mail me at info@oliveandjames.com.  If you send me an e-mail, however, I will confirm your order with you before I get cracking on your cake.  You can then either pick up your cake or I can deliver in the Iowa City/Coralville area for a fee.

How far in advance should I place a cake order?
For a basic cake order I appreciate at least 72 hours of advance notice. For custom cakes please take into account the size of the cake and intricacy of the design and allow me adequate time to make you the cake you're envisioning. Please try to give me a minimum of two weeks notice, however, if you have a tight schedule, give me a call and I'll do everything I can to make your cake happen.  Please keep in mind that I will stop accepting orders when I reach capacity and my orders are ultimately first-come, first-serve. This is particularly true during holidays and wedding season.

What’s a “basic cake” vs. a “custom cake”?
A “basic cake” is one that is basic in design only.  All of my cake flavors on my menu can be a basic cake, custom cake, or cupcakes.  A “basic cake” is just that - a beautifully frosted cake with your choice of colors and written message, if desired.  A “custom cake” is one that goes above and beyond basic decoration, be it a tiered wedding cake or a child’s birthday cake covered with chocolate safari animals.

I'm having a party and want a big fancy custom cake. Why can't I get a custom cake at the basic cake price with a few up-charges? After all, it's not a wedding.
The work involved in making a custom cake is exactly the same if you're eating it at a birthday party or serving it at the conclusion of your wedding meal. It used to be common practice to have two different sets of prices because wedding cakes were very elaborate and party cakes were very simple.  However, with all the cake decorating shows on television right now, many people are seeing the fantastic cakes that are being shown and want those cakes at their party. No problem!  But, just keep in mind, custom cakes come with a custom price.

What is the price range for custom cakes?

All of my custom cakes are priced starting at $3.00 per person.  Price is dependent upon the cake design.

We're a couple on a budget. Can we afford one of your cakes?
Of course you can!  There are a few tricks of the trade to get a beautiful cake without spending a ton of money.  I have no interest in putting you in debt over a cake.

Do you make “fake” or Styrofoam layers?
I have had clients ask if I could use Styrofoam, as opposed to cake, to make their cake appear larger, or to help them stay within budget.  The simple fact is, whether it is edible or Styrofoam, it's the same amount of work, time, and detail to construct a custom cake.

Do you offer sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan cakes?
No. Until I get them to be as tasty as their sugar-, flour-, and butter-laden counterparts, I will not offer them for sale.

Are you able to include copyrighted images or characters on your cakes?
Can I crank out a mean chocolate Dora or SpongeBob on a cake? Sure. Is it legal for me to then sell that cake? Most definitely not. I cannot risk duplicating copyrighted characters onto your cake. I can, however, make your cake match the colors and style of your character theme.

Do you use rolled fondant?
In a word, no.  It looks nice.  It tastes awful.  I can, however, achieve many of the same looks using rolled chocolate.  Which tastes much better.  Trust me.

Do you offer complimentary wedding consultations and tastings?
Of course!  I wouldn’t expect anyone to make a commitment to a cake without having tried samples first.  You get to eat cake, I get to ask questions about your design ideas.