Guest guest Posted August 22, 2010 Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 When I brought this up at the one in Palo Alto, they volunteered that they had them stored separately in the back and would be happy to get them. Obviously, I wasn't the first to question it and the person was aware. I agree, though. They really should keep them separate in the case if they really want people to buy them. For the second weekend in a row, I've stopped by Kara's Cupcakes at Santana Row and they've only had gluten free cupcakes in the display case, nestled right up next to gluten cupcakes, and none left in back. On previous occasions, we've been able to request cupcakes from the back (where I hope they're stored more safely?). When I suggested that they only display one of each kind in the case and keep the rest safely in the back, the employee I was speaking with was not very receptive. Given the lack of precautions in the storage case, I'm wondering how safe the GF cupcakes actually are - has anyone gotten sick from them? Am I being ridiculous about insisting on cupcakes that haven't been in the display case? I'll be sending an email to the company, but thought I'd check in to see how other people's experiences have been with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2010 Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 I have bought them several times from Santana row from the front of the store and not had problems. The frosting is pretty thick on the cupcakes so I felt there was a good seal. Mp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2010 Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 I've also had them from both Santana Row and Palo Alto without problems but I have always gotten them from the back. And each time I have requested they move them out of the main display into a separate area - kind of like the little cake plate they have on the counter with the mini cupcakes. This time I grabbed one of their business cards because the people behind the counter were very friendly and claimed to know about cross contamination, yet they don't seem to be empowered or care to actually do anything about it. If their chocolate cupcakes weren't so amazing I'd stop going there. But thanks for reminding me - I'll email them now. Hmm. their biz card has no email address, neither does their web site although I did find something under the press section: for press inquiries email info@.... I will be trying to email both info @ karascupcakes dot com and kara @ karascupcakes dot com. There is also no corporate contact info - just the individual store locations. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 I had the same problem; ended up not buying the cupcake but a friend I was with decide to try the GF version; I tried a little bit form the bottom of the cupcake; tasted OK, nothing to be too excited about; did not get sick but also had a tiny amount; I contacted the company a couple of weeks ago and have yet to hear from them; Not planning on going back anyway so I really don't mind if they don't answer; I thought it is terrible marketing, spending the money to have a GF product and then not follow simple procedures that would prevent cross-contamination. > > For the second weekend in a row, I've stopped by Kara's Cupcakes at > Santana Row and they've only had gluten free cupcakes in the display > case, nestled right up next to gluten cupcakes, and none left in back. > On previous occasions, we've been able to request cupcakes from the > back (where I hope they're stored more safely?). When I suggested > that they only display one of each kind in the case and keep the rest > safely in the back, the employee I was speaking with was not very > receptive. Given the lack of precautions in the storage case, I'm > wondering how safe the GF cupcakes actually are - has anyone gotten > sick from them? Am I being ridiculous about insisting on cupcakes > that haven't been in the display case? I'll be sending an email to > the company, but thought I'd check in to see how other people's > experiences have been with them. > Thanks > - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 I emailed Kara yesterday and got a response within 10 minutes (good timing I guess). I am pleased with her response and plan to keep going there. Here is her response to my request to segregate the gluten free stuff in the main shop:As well, thank you for your concern regarding our display of the GF cupcakes. We take all suggestions seriously and we are currently working with a consultant on the GF cupcakes display. While we offer a GF option at Kara's, we do let people know that we are not a gluten free kitchen. So if someone has a very strong allergy I would recommend sticking with a gluten free bakery in town. (just to be safe) . A short term solution for you is to ask for the cupcakes not on display. They are in the kitchen on a gluten free tray. You can also pre order your GF cupcakes and we do not have a minimum for pre orders...so if you want us to box up 1 or 2 cupcakes, call ahead and we can have that ready.... we can even deliver it curbside right to you car! Just ask for your order to be curbside and give us a 15-30 min notice. If you want a large order we do like a few hours advance call......I hope this helps. Thanks for the feedback.... Have a sweet day! Best, Kara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 I think we all as consumers have the right to not purchase a product that we feel might not be safe. I appreciate Karas honest response. I am thrilled to have an option in SF for cupcakes, and I would be very disappointed if Kara felt pressured to stop offering gluten free cupcakes because some people felt she wasn't dedicated enough to offer a completely gluten free environment. I don't think it is realistic to expect someone to open up an entirely gluten free cupcake store - and stay in business. I am celiac, and I do not think the cupcakes need to be kept in a separate case. I accept that eating out - anywhere really - comes with some risk. Some restaurant owners are more upfront with that risk, some arent. > > I agree, and Miglet's Cupcakes in Danville, ROCK! > > > > ________________________________ > From: " TrVerb@... " <TrVerb@...> > > Sent: Mon, August 23, 2010 12:47:55 PM > Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Kara's Cupcakes > > > As someone with celiac disease, I can't say I am pleased with this response from > Kara at all, other than that it's honest -- she is clearly telling all of us > with celiac to stay away from her products. It seems clear to me that she does > not have any process in place to assure that her gf items are not cross > contaminated in the baking process, because if she did she would have mentioned > it. Instead, she is telling us to stay away from her cupcakes because they are > very likely contaminated in the baking process. As for the display, one > shouldn't need a special " consultant " to realize the gf cupcakes need to be kept > in a separate case. I would categorize these cupcakes as perfect for anyone who > merely is trying to avoid gluten but a big no-no for anyone with celiac or a > gluten allergy/insensitivity. > > > I think we ought to be throwing our support -- and money -- behind companies > that are doing everything they can to serve the celiac community and not spend > our cash and potentially hurt our health by patronizing businesses that are only > going gf to accommodate the " I want to lose weight so I'm on a gluten free diet " > community... When we allow businesses the wiggle room of " going gf " without > really doing everything necessary to assure their products are gf, we only hurt > ourselves and our chances of getting the government to change labeling laws to > include all gluten ingredients and to have companies have to test their products > before being allowed to declare them to be gf -- the only we will be able to be > sure that what we eat is truly gf... > > > Sent from my tin can and string. Please excuse mumbling and static. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: jeansomlo <jina68@...> > > Sent: Mon, Aug 23, 2010 12:23 pm > Subject: [ ] Re: Kara's Cupcakes > > > > I emailed Kara yesterday and got a response within 10 minutes (good timing I > guess). I am pleased with her response and plan to keep going there. Here is > her response to my request to segregate the gluten free stuff in the main shop: > > As well, thank you for your concern regarding our display of the GF cupcakes. > We take all suggestions seriously and we are currently working with a > consultant on the GF cupcakes display. While we offer a GF option at Kara's, > we do let people know that we are not a gluten free kitchen. So if someone has > a very strong allergy I would reco mmend sticking with a gluten free bakery in > town. (just to be safe) . > > A short term solution for you is to ask for the cupcakes not on display. They > are in the kitchen on a gluten free tray. You can also pre order your GF > cupcakes and we do not have a minimum for pre orders...so if you want us to box > up 1 or 2 cupcakes, call ahead and we can have that ready.... we can even > deliver it curbside right to you car! Just ask for your order to be curbside > and give us a 15-30 min notice. If you want a large order we do like a few > hours advance call...... > > > I hope this helps. Thanks for the feedback.... > > Have a sweet day! Best, Kara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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