Busy Bakers

I was searching for a Bay Area baking camp and came across Busy Bakers. My daughter is 8 and signed her up for the tween class and turned out to be a good choice rather than the younger class (she has some baking experience). Day before camp, I read some negative reviews that made me wonder if we made the right choice. Some of the reviews were so incredibly negative that I contemplated pulling her out. We sent her the next morning to see for ourselves and she came back with an amazing gravity defying cake that she had so much fun making! Nicole and her staff were hands on and let the kids design as they please. They do have rules in place so everyone is respectful and not disruptive (as I heard some kids were). I appreciated that as my daughter didn’t know anyone. Given my daughter was a bit nervous, Nicole was kind enough to send photos of her baking and decorating — it was a nice surprise to say the least. Some reviews also stated that they came home with no cookies — we experienced the opposite and they made gorgeous macrons and treats.
If you’re looking for an all frills camp of stainless steel appliances and top of the line (think Sur La Table), then this place isn’t likely for you. It’s very kid friendly, welcoming environment and fun projects. We looked forward to tasting her creations every night!
They’re busy from the time they open until the kids leave. They do have dishes in the back that get stacked up. Nicole puts her heart into her business and knows that she cleans it when the kids leave, and the bathroom. With 20 kids, there’s no way they can keep up with the amount of pans and tools they use.
We can’t wait to attend camp next year!

My child took their Spring Break camp and then then their Tween French Macarons class. The items that were made during Spring Break camp were mediocre to say the least. The Spring Break camp had too large a spread of ages from 5 — 13 so the older kids were annoyed by the younger ones as were bored with the slow pace of the classes. Then when I picked up my child from the one-​day French Macarons class, I was told «our group failed» and we only came home with 4 out of the 12 macarons that each student started out with. My child has made macarons about a dozen times and was hoping this class would provide some fine tuning but it seems that their oven was not working properly and the group of kids who used that oven had under baked macarons which could not be salvaged. You would think that the instructor would have been able to supervise them throughout this process to ensure proper baking, especially since the oven didn’t appear to be working properly. This was very disappointing and a waste of our time and money.

I have ZERO baking experience so was slightly nervous when I got invited to a private birthday party macaron class at busy baker’s. I quickly found out I had nothing to worry about! The owner Nicole taught the class and she made it so easy and FUN! She had everything pre-​measured and showed us step by step what to do without any part of it being confusing! Nicole was really down to earth and didn’t make me feel nervous. I would definitely do another class with her. The best part of all was taking home the macaron’s! Wholy moly her recipe was AMAZING!

Terrible Customer Service! I would give zero star for this place.
I signed up a cakepop class for my daughter. However, we missed the class that day and called their store the same day and asked if they will consider to have my daughter for any class that they have available. One of his employee said that Nicole is in the middle of teaching a class so I just leave a message. No call back, I gave them a chance until the next day, this time I e-​mailed her directly and did not get a reply back. I e-​mailed her the next day again — — -
DID NOT GET ANY PHONE CALL FROM HER AT ALL. NEVER received any message, no voicemail from anyone.
The third day, I decided to call their store so this time I was told that they will not consider the request that I am asking for. I was so upset like everyone else, I can’t help my self to leave her a message in her instagram base in my experience and honest opinion. Finally she called me right away after I spoke to her store manager and after leaving a feed back in her instagram. She said that she was out of town and did not get a chance to call back or email. I can’t say that much over the phone with her because there is nothing for me to say since they declined my request already. At the point I was done. I’m not sure exactly what her store manager told her.
The next day, I received an e-​mail from her with a lot of stuff going on in her e-​mail like I did not give them a timely manner to call me back. (I don’t wanna mention and be detail with her e-​mail, I wish I could copy and paste here). Seriously for three days? not enough? I guess she was upset that I gave her a negative feedback in her instagram.
What really makes me upset is that I waited for an answer for how many days. I take a few classes at her store and never had a problem. I use to buy all my baking supplies for my business needs here before so they know me by face so I have a very high expectations. I never thought it’s going to end like this.
Obviously, very POOR communication skills and bad customer service.
I was planning to even signed up for private parties for adult and kids. Planning to take more classes with her in the future. But not anymore. Not coming back…
I can’t recommend this place. Not so professional people.

I just had the best experience at this wonderful store. The owner Nicole very smart and kind also has a great sense of humor. I will definitely go back, not sure about the other reviews and don’t care. If I could give 10 stars I would.

Great place for all your baking supply needs but it was hard to see their inventory in their bins. If it wasn’t for me asking what she had, I wouldn’t know what was in there without me pulling out every single bin and peeking inside. Maybe they should tape what is in the bin on the outside of the bin to solve that problem. Large selection of stuff but just so happened everything I wanted or needed they were out of. Nice place tho and great selection of colored chocolate melts.

I’ve stumbled across busy baker via Unilocal and honestly I’ve tried several times trying to be a self taught baker. However I’ve always had trouble with certain techniques.
Originally I wanted to take the macaron class. However it was completely full. So I decide to take a the butter cream class. At first, I’ve hesitated because buttercream was not my thing. But I have to admit I’ve learned so much from Nicole.
Class 1
Buttercream: rosette cake and ribbon was my absolute favorite. First time learning how to level a cake, crumb coat and frost a cake. I’ve honestly never made a cake in my life. Not just that I’ve learned how to use piping tips and made my own piping bag with parchment paper.
Class 2
Fondant tier: basic technique on how to work with fondant I’ve learn how roll out fondant and stack it on top of another cake. Basic rules what to do and not to do. I must say before I took this class I honestly didn’t know that fondant dries out if you leave it out. I highly recommend this this if you are interested with fondant.
Class 3
Cakepop: Originally I’ve started making with cake pops before doing cakes. I’m so glad I’ve taken this class I’ve tried googling and watching you tube videos. But again, I could never find an answers. I’ve always wondered why certain color chocolate didn’t melt right and I’ve learn how to thin out my chocolate and roll a perfect cake pop without it falling off the stick. I highly recommend this class for a starter if you are interested in making cake pops.
Class 4
French macarons: I’ve always got hollow macarons and never had feet. In the past I’ve wasted so much money trying to make this cookie and I am so glad that Nicole offers this class. I now have perfect macarons. Soft and chewy with perfect feet! And her Swiss meringue buttercream filling is to die for. Absolutely delish!!!
Not only busy bakers offers classes but they carry a lot of baking supplies to help me with all my orders from cookie cutter, chocolate guittard, luster dust, sugar lace, molds and many more. This is my number one place to get all your baking supplies. Great customers service and reasonable prices. Stop by if your near by…

Had my child’s party here. Nicole was very easy to work with and was very flexible with our start and end time. She allowed us to set up before party actually started. When our party was over, we were waiting for a couple of parents who were picking up their child but Busy Bakers did not press us to vacate the place. The party was a success! I agree with the other reviews that Nicole is not the friendliest and it definitely sees through her unpleasant disposition (subtract 1 star). I just tried not to let her get to me. I confirm the bathroom is filthy, dirty. It was a bit disturbing knowing that food is being baked within the back area (subtract 1 star).

Right when I walked in yesterday, I got really excited once I saw all the colorful supplies! They carry so many items that I won’t have to order online anymore for my baking and decorating needs! The girl working the front was extremely helpful and kind with all the questions I had. I can spend a lot of time in here and it seemed really quiet while I was the only one browsing the store. Some music would be nice!

Busy Bakers is a cute, one stop shop for all your baking & decorating needs whether it’s for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cakepops, chocolate lollipops, macarons & more. They offer classes with expert instructors. Nicole & her staff are the sweetest! Definitely coming back next time I’m in the area!!!

Horrible customer service!!!
I signed up my daughter for the baking summer camp and she enjoyed it. What had me upset after was the fact that they said they were going to e-​mail recipes to those who left their e-​mails. I waited about a week to hear from them nothing. I sent an e-​mail; another week passed, nothing. I resent the e-​mail, nothing. Finally I went in person after work, the female at the register said she was not there that week and was not in charge of that but took my e-​mail and told me «sorry» that she was going to have someone e-​mail me. TO THIS DAY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING!!! My daughter has been waiting to bake some of the stuff she made and we cant. Why because these irresponsible people do not bother/​care to get back to customers, HORRIBLE.

Really bummed to be writing this review, had great expectations for this place!
I stopped by during their anniversary sale because i wanted to check the place out before booking a few company team building decorating classes. I decided the place looked cute, and the owner seemed helpful and I booked a class so i could try it out before taking a whole group of my staff there.
I got a call about a week later telling me she couldn’t do a class on the day i signed up for, and asked if i wanted to reschedule. My schedule is pretty hectic at the moment so i really didnt have much room for this class in the first place. She was so nice and accomodating she offered to do a private class if i could find two more friends or people interested in taking it. We settled on a date, and my two friends called to confirm and pay for their class.
My friends are from the area, but recently moved up north for work so i thought this would be a great way to have some quality girl time and do something fun… One friend even called the store this morning to confirm… Both of my friends took a half day off of work, and drove down here… and now, an hour after they have left and taken off of work i get a call, not from the owner, but from some poor girl telling me she is «confirming the cancellation» of my class tonight. WTF ?? are you kidding? I’m mortified.
I own my own business, and i just dont see how this is okay in their books? Really was looking forward to a new fun place to learn some new things.
I asked why i was just hearing about this cancellation now, the day of, a few hours prior, and they said it was because they could never get ahold of me to confirm. Even if that were they case, which i find hard to believe, they had both of my girlfriends numbers. If they REALLY were trying to get ahold of me, they could of called them and checked in.
:(

Only one star because I have to…
My daughter is in summer camp here because on the promotional fliers, everything looked on the up & up and it appeared that they were making challenging confections. I’ve heard nothing but negative things about this camp from my daughter and her friend who are attending together, and other parents.
According to the children, the instructors are mean and yell at the children. My daughter and her friend did not even want to complete the camp due to the mean instructors. The instructors separated the children due to their socializing, but bear in mind, this is a summer camp, NOT school so it should be fun!
From my and other parents’ perspective, the things they bake are small and rushed. Cake pops were made yesterday, but were not given adequate time to dry, therefore we got a bag of cake lumps with sticks and icing thrown in. There is often not enough batter to make the confections, so the cakes sent home are flat. For the price of the camp, I would expect a baking store to do better than this. I have not been impressed by anything sent home. Not because the kids made it and it was childlike, but because of what was made and the quality of the end result – what is sent home is not the same stuff shown in the fliers!
Also the restroom in this place is very nasty and unsanitary. A parent found a hair in one of the muffins the kids made. Apparently the proper sanitation techniques are not used such as long hair being tied back before the food is handled. Between the gross restroom and hair in the food, I will not be eating anything coming out of this place! I will never send my child here again for camp. They are obviously not equipped to run summer camps here, as the instructors and young and inexperienced, and the restroom is not sanitary enough for food handlers. For the price of this camp (full day prices for 4 hours), they should be offering much more in a cleaner, more sanitary environment!

I totally recommend them when I took a cake pop class in May. Supposedly there was going to be 5 adults taking the class but for some reason ppl were sick that day and I was the only one that took a class, worked to my favor because I got a 1 on 1 class with Nicole.
The reason why I gave them 1 star is I’ve been there 3 times in the morning based on the business hours that are posted on the window and all 3 times nobody is there and I have to wait and kill time with my 2 kids… Under the age of 2!
I also sent them a private message through Instagram and they never responded so I sent it through a post and they said I needed to send an email, which I did and have yet to receive anything from them. I’m very disappointed in the service they have provided. I’m all for supporting small businesses but it makes it hard when they are not on top of it.

2 out of 4 times I drove 20 miles to get here they were closed during business hours. Inasmuch I like their selection of bakery craft items — their staff are not so friendly nor helpful. I asked for bulk box of an item and they just told me to get it myself right about in their stock back room. I was the only customer there as if they made me feel I would swipe something from their store if they turned their back from their counter — after spending $$$! Yup — and they were too busy looking down at their phones to help… I’d rather buy online than waste my time and gas driving to a closed store in the middle of the day… Yeah and I heard the cooking classes here are overpriced.

Very disappointed with the owner Nicole.
I was too excited to try her classes.
I wanted to try all her classes, however, there is only very few choices.
I bought 2 classes, however, I missed the first class coz I was sick. Talked to her that same morning, told me she will call me back to see if she can let me do make up class.
DID NOT GET ANY PHONE CALL FROM HER AT ALL.
Last Sunday, was my 2^nd class. –supposed to be
Drove all the way from South Fremont.
Came there to finally meet the owner, NICOLE.
Told me there is no class. That apparently she tried to call me that same day to try to reschedule.
I NEVER received any message, no voicemail from anyone.
Not sure where the problem is.
But at least, as a courtesy -
Try to call again. I paid ahead of time for this classes.
Also in the beginning, I did ask her to email me a confirmation for the classes that I paid over the phone. She told me, she will email me.
Again, NEVER received anything from her.
Obviously, very POOR communication skills and bad customer service.
I was planning to even signed up for private parties for adult and kids. I even told all my friends about this place.
So I guess I can’t recommend this place.

Attended a French macaron baking class here with my mother today. Nicole’s class was nothing short of amazing. She guided us through the entire process, step by step, and our macarons turned out perfect. I will definitely be back for another class. Thank you!

If you love decorating cupcakes and cakes this is the place for you! Much better selection than Michaels and the staff is nothing but friendly. This place has really turned my cupcake decorating hobby from ‘cute’ to ‘legit’. I can always find what I am looking for and love being able to support a local business!

I can’t comment much on purchasing any baking supplies here because my daughter and I attended a birthday party here.
I had no idea that this place hosted birthday parties! Definitely a great idea for 7 – 9 year olds. Especially for parents who are neat freaks and can’t stand mess in the kitchen.
The party had about 17 children and all the supplies are supplied by the bakery.
Each child starts off with a 9 in round cake. The instructor gives a quick instruction and then hands out tubs of frosting. The first task is to frost the cake. Then they start to decorate with their own piping bag. Various colors have to be shared with the group.
I loved the fact that the instructor kept stressing that we were not to help our child. I had to hold myself back numerous times because I wanted to smooth out the frosting, or make the frosting colors match. My daughter had so much fun! The best part was being able to bring home the entire cake. Yes, it was VERY sugary, and quite messy. But, it was done all by my daughter. She was so proud!

I wasn’t too thrilled with this place when I ordered a cake for my one year old birthday a week in advance but I was told the morning of the my child’s birthday that I could not get the cake that I want (airplane circular cake)
Instead the owner herself said she fell ill with food poisoning the night before and she made me cupcakes instead. (See photo).
I did get my money back but I tried out the cupcakes and wasn’t too impressed by it. I should of just ordered somewhere else.