Thursday, June 30, 2011

Meeting Tonight

Hope you all are ready for a fun night! We will be going over the new class schedule, eating some yummy treats, and having a drawing or two!

One of the classes that is coming up is going to be taught by a very talented lady, Giovanna, from Tampa. She is a true artist when it comes to her sugar work, especially her sugar flowers. You can see many samples of her work on her website for the Sugar Art Studio. Also on her site are a list of classes she will be teaching, including the class in Jacksonville in August. I know she is looking forward to meeting everyone here in North Florida, so sign up for her class tonight! 

Remember, if you sign up for any of the classes at our meeting tonight you get an extra entry (or entries) into our drawing! You can find out more about our drawing here.

Hope to see you all in a couple hours!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Meeting And Drawing

One more week until our next Guild meeting. And because of all the excitement surrounding the new classes starting, along with the Cottage Food Law being passed, (and just because she's a nice lady) our President, Jane, is offering a wonderful promotion for our members!
I'm sure you've seen the classes, and had your eye on your favorites. So, would you like to take one and save 50% off the class price? How, you ask? It's very simple...come to our SAGNFL meeting next Thursday. What a simple way to save money!

Every member that comes to our meeting will be entered into a drawing where the winner will receive 50% off a one-day class of their choice (excluding special guest instructor classes). She's also offering an additional entry for each class you sign up for, no limit!

Join us next week for a good time
some tasty treats, and the drawing!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Counting Down, 9 Days Until...

Yesterday was a historic day in the cake world, 
at least for us here in Florida! 
Governor Rick Scott signed the bill that allows (i.e. makes it LEGAL) for us to bake and sell cakes and other goodies from our homes effective July 1st! 

There are, of course, going to be requirements and restrictions. This is what we know so far, taken from the bill itself...

1. Annual gross sales of cottage food products can not exceed $15,000
2. A cottage food operation may not sell or offer for sale cottage food products over the Internet, by mail order, or at wholesale. (However, you can have a website to advertise and showcase your products.)
3. A cottage food operation may only sell cottage food products which are prepackaged with a label affixed that contains the following information:
(a) The name and address of the cottage food operation.
(b) The name of the cottage food product.
(c) The ingredients of the cottage food product, in descending order of predominance by weight.
(d) The net weight or net volume of the cottage food product.
(e) Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements.
(f) If any nutritional claim is made, appropriate nutritional information as specified by federal labeling requirements.
(g) The following statement printed in at least 10-point type in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background of the label: "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations."
4. A cottage food operation may only sell cottage food products that it stores on the premises of the cottage food operation.
5. This section does not exempt a cottage food operation from any state or federal tax law, rule, regulation, or certificate that applies to all cottage food operations.
6. A cottage food operation must comply with all applicable county and municipal laws and ordinances regulating the preparation, processing, storage, and sale of cottage food products by a cottage food operation or from a person's residence.
7.(a) The department may investigate any complaint which alleges that a cottage food operation has violated an applicable provision of this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter.
(b) Only upon receipt of a complaint, the department's authorized officer or employee may enter and inspect the premises of a cottage food operation to determine compliance with this chapter and department rules, as applicable. A cottage food operation's refusal to permit the department's authorized officer or employee entry to the premises or to conduct the inspection is grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to s. 500.121.
8. This section does not apply to a person operating under a food permit issued pursuant to s. 500.12.

*For any additional information, please contact the Department of Agriculture after the effective date.

This is amazing!!! It opens new doors for all of us, while allowing us to make a little (or a lot of) extra money, which is always good!

One of the added benefits of making a little extra dough (pun intended), is that you can take classes to learn advanced techniques and up your skill level. This knowledge puts you a step ahead with your customers and allows you to make extra money from them in return, making the classes pay for themselves! 

There are various classes throughout the country and Florida, but traveling can get costly. If you want to learn in the Jacksonville area, your only option is the SAGNFL classes, hosted by our President, Jane! She features a different class or two each month. For the full list of classes, check our our Class Schedule.

Good luck to everyone out there 
in their new, legal caking adventures!!! 

Friday, June 17, 2011

Next Up...Petit Fours

Our first cake class was successful!
Patrice led a hands-on class showing 
how to make her beautiful masks.
If you weren't there, you missed out on an amazing time!

But don't worry...there is another class coming up next month.
Jane will be teaching you how to make Jeweled Petit Fours that will look like these...


Beautiful, right? 
I know they look perfect, and maybe a bit intimidating. 

But don't be scared...
Jane will show you the easy way to make 
delicious and gorgeous petit fours!

The class will take place on July 9th and costs $75. 
All the supplies are included, 
but please bring a box to carry your mini treasures home with you!

As for all the classes, 
please contact Jane to sign up or get additional information.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Jacksonville Cake Classes!

Some very exciting news...
Jacksonville is welcoming new, monthly cake classes! 

A HUGE thanks goes to our President, Jane, for igniting an educational spark in the cake community! Many of us got our start in the cake world with Wilton, but these classes are taking it a step (or a few leaps) further. Once you have learned the basics, head on over to Jane's Sugar Art Classes to continue your cake education. Not only will you learn some amazing new skills, but you'll also have a bunch of fun! 
For the complete list of classes,
check out the "Class Schedule" tab.

The first class starts this weekend, an awesome Mask class, taught by our own SAGNFL member, Patrice Drinkard. I've recently posted about her and her outstanding sugar art work here, when she won the Grand Prize at the I.C.E.D. Cake Competition for Professional Wedding Accessories. You can check out some more of Patrice's work on her website. Don't miss out on learning from this talented professional! 

Sign up for your class (or classes) now!