FAQs/ORDERING

  • Operating days. Collection cakes are available to order Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays via pick up at our home studio in Humboldt Park near California and Augusta. The full address and details will be sent to you after order confirmation. You can call or text ‪(773) 250-7481‬ once you arrive. Delivery is possible on those days within the Chicago Metropolitan area for an extra fee, we can arrange this via email.

  • Lead time/rush fees. This is a small-batch, made-to-order pastry studio, so please plan to book and pay at least 7-10 days in advance of your requested date. I do not take orders more than 2 months in advance. I sometimes take rush orders, and charge a non-negotiable $50+ rush charge for the extra planning and work that is required to execute the order.

  • Cancellations. Within 24 hours of booking, cancellations will be accepted for a 100% refund. Within 48 hours, a 50% refund will be given. Beyond that window, no refunds can be given — I am a one-person show and cannot recuperate my ingredients, time, and labor.

  • Design. Think of this process as commissioning a work in my style with your requests in mind. For example, I can take on collaborative requests such as your desired colors/vibes/themes, but I do not reproduce other artist’s work (though I am happy to take inspiration). I do not write on cakes.

how do i commission rad joy for custom orders/weddings?

  • Custom orders. I require at least 2+ weeks for custom ordering, which includes requests for dates outside of our usual operating days, custom flavors, specific botanicals and design, and more, you can submit it via email. The minimum charge for custom orders is $200+.

  • Payment, confirmation, & fulfillment. Allow 48-72 hours for us to respond to your inquiry. Once we nail down all the details together, I will request payment either through Venmo or Square (2.9% processing fee). Upon receipt of your payment, you will receive a confirmation email about your deposit or full payment. Orders that are not paid within 48 hours are not confirmed and may not be fulfilled. If you don’t hear from us, please check your spam folder.

  • Weddings and larger celebrations. We require at least 5+ weeks advance booking for weddings and larger events, which you can inquire about by emailing us. We charge $85-$100+ for delivery and set up within the Chicago metropolitan area. Our cakes run from $10-$20+/serving.

  • Multi-month advance ordering/rush orders. At this time, we cannot take bookings more than 2 months in advance. We charge a $45-$75+ rush fee for orders with less lead time, depending on the complexity of the order.

  • Design. Think of this process as commissioning a work in my style with your requests in mind. For example, I can take on collaborative requests such as your desired colors/vibes/themes, but I do not reproduce other artist’s work (though I am happy to take inspiration). I do not write on cakes.

I don’t need a whole cake, how else can i try your pastries?

FAQs/care+dietary restrictions

HOW do i eat/take care of my cake?

  • Transportation. Your cake should be carried by the base of the box (not the sides). If traveling by car, please turn your A/C on high, and ALWAYS sit the cake flat on: 1) someone’s lap, 2) the floor of your car, or 3) the trunk (without obstructions). We do not recommend putting it on a seat as seats are tilted and the cake can shift during travel.

  • Enjoying your cake at its best. Refrigerate ASAP if you’re not enjoying immediately. When you’re ready to enjoy, please temper your cake by allowing it to sit at room temp for at least 1 hour — do this out of direct sunlight. It’s worth letting the flavors meld and the textures soften.

  • Shelf life. We recommend eating the cake ASAP, but a refrigerated and uncut cake can last 4-5 days. Once a cake is cut, it will start to dry out and become stale with time. You can counteract that by covering the cut sides with parchment, plastic, foil, or placing it in a sealed container. On the counter, it will last 2-4 days. In the fridge, 3-6 days. Cake freezes remarkably well, and will stay fresh for at least 3-6 months if covered with plastic wrap/foil to seal in the moisture. Botanical decor will start to wilt after a day and fares better in the refrigerator.

  • Should I eat the botanical decor? We recommend removing the decor. Although our botanicals are usually edible or non-toxic (we’ll tell you when it’s not), they are not meant to complement or add any flavor to your cake. Most flowers are actually quite bitter. If you really want to nibble on the flora, we recommend trying herbs, nasturtium, rose, pansy/viola, and borage if they’re available to you.

does rad joy offer vegan/dairy-free/wheat-free options?

  • Yes. We sometimes provide offerings that may be appropriate for dietary restrictions. An additional $25+ (size scale) is added for dietary restrictions and the extra handling, expertise, and care required for these cakes.

  • A note about allergens. We process wheat and dairy products in our kitchen and though we take care to clean properly, some risk of cross-contamination may occur.

i still have questions, how do i reach you?