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Questions Worth Asking
The FAQ.
The questions we get most. If yours isn't here, write us — Ali reads every message himself.
How much notice do you need for a custom order? +
Whole cakes (Forêt-Noire, Fraisier, custom entremets) need 48 hours minimum. For weddings and large events we ask for 4–6 weeks if possible — earlier is always better. Tartelettes from the menu are usually same-day or next-day for pickup.
Do you take wedding cakes? +
Yes — wedding cakes are the heart of The Private Calendar. Every cake is designed in a private consultation and tasting with chef Ali Al Ghoul — real fraisier, real croquembouche, École Ducasse technique. Nothing is reproduced from a photo and no two wedding cakes are repeated. Book the consultation directly at pastriesdeparis.com/deposit, or apply first through The Private Calendar.
Do you work with wedding planners? +
Planner-first, in fact. Planners book the consultation on behalf of their couple at pastriesdeparis.com/deposit (the couple joins the tasting), and we coordinate venue logistics, delivery windows, and on-site assembly directly with the planner — quietly, on time, to spec. Planners we have worked with before skip the application queue entirely.
How far ahead should I book my wedding cake? +
The calendar is built five to nine months out and we take four to five private events a month, so the honest answer is: as soon as you have a date. We ask for 4–6 weeks at absolute minimum. Booking the consultation early costs nothing extra — the deposit is credited in full against your final booking.
What is the consultation deposit and is it refundable? +
For Private Calendar work (weddings, private households, hotel programs, corporate gifting) the consultation deposit is $750 — or $250 for an intimate one-off table of four guests or fewer. It is non-refundable once paid and credited in full against the final booking. You can place it directly at pastriesdeparis.com/deposit, or apply first and receive an invoice once Ali confirms the date.
Are your pastries gluten-free, nut-free, or dairy-free? +
Most of what we bake contains wheat, dairy, eggs, and often tree nuts — French patisserie at its core is butter and flour. We do work on gluten-free and nut-free orders by request when given enough notice, but our kitchen handles all of those allergens daily, so we can't guarantee a zero-cross-contact environment. If you have a serious allergy, please tell us in writing before you order.
Where do you deliver? +
Pickup is from the bakery in The Woodlands, TX. Local delivery ($25 flat) and event drop-off cover up to 15 miles from the bakery — most of The Woodlands, Conroe, Tomball, Magnolia, and the immediate I-45 / FM-1488 corridor. Larger events anywhere in greater Houston are handled case-by-case through The Private Calendar.
Can I order madeleines as a corporate gift or recurring shipment? +
Yes. We package signed madeleine boxes for client gifting, hotel turn-down service, and corporate holiday programs. Standing-order monthly retainers are arranged through The Private Calendar — apply with the headcount and frequency you have in mind.
Do you offer tasting appointments? +
For Private Calendar bookings (weddings, large events, recurring household accounts) yes — tastings are scheduled after the consultation deposit is paid. For walk-up and standing menu items, the tasting is whatever you buy at the counter — we keep the menu short specifically so every piece is one we are proud of.
Who is the chef? +
Ali Al Ghoul. He trained at École Ducasse in Paris, worked under Pâtisserie Gilles Marchal, and was mentored by Meilleur Ouvrier de France pastry chefs. He runs the kitchen personally — every batch passes through his hands.
Why is everything in French? +
Because the technique is French. The names tell you what is on the plate — a fraisier is a strawberry-and-mousseline cake, a tarte aux pignons is a pine-nut tart, a forêt-noire is a Black Forest. Saying it in the original keeps the recipe honest.
How long do your pastries keep? +
Madeleines are best within 24 hours of baking — that is the whole point. Tartelettes hold for two days refrigerated. Whole gâteaux (Fraisier, Forêt-Noire) are made for the day they will be served. We do not freeze, we do not pre-make, we do not stretch a piece across the week.
Do you ship outside Houston? +
Madeleines and shelf-stable pâtisserie travel well by overnight courier within Texas — ask us about a one-off ship or a recurring corporate gifting account. Whole cream-based cakes do not ship; those are pickup or local delivery only.
What payment methods do you accept? +
Card payment online (Square primary, Stripe fallback) or in person at the counter. Larger Private Calendar bookings can be invoiced and paid by ACH transfer.
Can I order a personalized cake for a birthday? +
Yes — the smaller Forêt-Noire format is letterable on the doily for birthdays and small gifts. For larger personalized cakes, the Fraisier and other entremets are made to order with 48 hours notice. Mention the occasion when you order.
Do you cater country club and HOA events? +
Yes. We have catered weddings, member events, and HOA gatherings around The Woodlands Country Club, Lake Windcrest, High Meadow Estates, and the Magnolia/Tomball area. Apply through The Private Calendar with the date and headcount.
Still have a question?
For walk-up orders and small custom pieces, drop us a note. For weddings, private events, or recurring household accounts, apply through The Private Calendar.