Frequently asked questions
These are some of the most common enquiries we've received from our customers over the past few weeks. Hopefully they help to answer some of the questions you may have. Thanks for choosing Patisserie Valerie. Team PV
DPD Nominated Day: £6.95 (Tues-Fri), £8.95 (Sat-Sun)
DPD Next day delivery: £10.95 (Tue-Fri), £12.95 (Sat-Sun)
Macaron Delivery Service: £4.95 (Please note 13+ Macarons will incur same charges as above)
Our home delivery service operates from Tuesday to Sunday to most postcodes in the UK. We do not deliver on Mondays or Bank Holidays to allow our bakers a well-deserved break!
Question: I have a birthday party on Monday. What delivery date should I choose?
Since we do not deliver on Mondays, we recommend choosing your delivery on the Sunday before your event. Your cake will be freshly baked, decorated, and then frozen. We will carefully pack it with dry ice to ensure it arrives safely and remains fresh for your special day.
All of our cakes are lovingly hand-made and carefully packed to order. If you place your order before 4pm, we can deliver it to you next day. However, we recommend ordering a day in advance if possible. This way, you can let the cake defrost overnight in the fridge, ensuring it's perfect and ready to enjoy the next day!
Deliveries are handled by our trusted courier, DPD.
On the morning of your delivery, you will receive a text with a time slot. If you haven't heard from DPD by 11am, please contact their customer service here
Since our goods are perishable, DPD will only attempt delivery once. Please ensure someone is available to accept the delivery. If no one is available, DPD will do their best to leave the goods in a safe place.
If your address is difficult to locate, please provide specific details in the delivery instructions box when placing your order.
All orders are processed within 1 business day (excluding weekends and holidays) after receiving your order confirmation email. You will receive another notification when your order has fulfilled.
Our orders are delivered by DPD using their NEXTDAY service, with delivery possible at any time during the day. DPD will text you on the delivery day with a 1-hour delivery slot (communication may also come via email or the DPD app).
Please note:
- We deliver nationwide across the UK, 6 days a week (Tuesday – Sunday), excluding the Highlands, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, and Ireland.
- For special occasions, we recommend selecting a delivery date the day before you plan to serve your cake.
- Please kindly remember to check your shipping address at the checkout. Accurate and correct address information is the responsibility of the customer and crucial for timely delivery of perishable goods. Patisserie Valerie will not be held responsible for any delivery delays or product disposal due to customer error.
We use dry ice to keep your cake fresh and protect its quality during transit. We also use air pockets and polystyrene to keep the cake safe.
What is Dry Ice?
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide at -78°C. It helps keep perishable food fresh because it is very cold and prevents bacteria growth. Dry ice is environmentally friendly, made from recovered carbon dioxide.
Dry Ice Safety:
Dry ice turns into carbon dioxide gas. Even a small piece of dry ice creates a lot of gas, so be careful.
Always follow these instructions when handling dry ice:
Dry Ice Disposal:
Once you unpack your order, immediately dispose of any remaining dry ice. Handle it carefully. Dry ice will turn into harmless carbon dioxide gas, but it is very cold and can produce a large volume of gas.
ALWAYS dispose of dry ice in a well-ventilated outside area, so the gas can disperse safely. ALWAYS ensure that dry ice packs are disposed of in a safe place and is not accessible to passers-by, particularly children and animals.
ALWAYS remember not to handle dry ice with bare hands. ALWAYS dispose of under conditions where the low temperature will not present a hazard or problem.
DO NOT Dispose of dry ice in an area where the CO2 gas can collect in low lying areas such as drains, confined space.
DO NOT Place dry ice in your freezer or fridge. DO NOT Place dry ice into drink.
We do NOT advise refreezing the cake once defrosted."
After an extensive trial, we selected DPD Local as our logistics partner as they had the highest first time delivery success rates. We then developed a packaging system with DPD Local, specifically for fragile food items which should ensure it arrives safely.
Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive an email notification with a tracking number. To track your order click here.
Our courier, DPD, will send a text on the delivery day with a 1-hour delivery slot. While we strive for timely deliveries, occasional issues in the logistics chain can arise. For further information and to track your delivery, please contact DPD directly here.
To ensure maximum freshness for your special occasion, our cakes are shipped frozen. Depending on the time of day your delivery arrives, the cake will need to defrost for 3 to 10 hours. While we pack our cakes with dry ice to keep them frozen, the exact defrosting time may vary based on delivery conditions and weather.
Our cakes can be kept frozen and airtight for up to six months or stored covered in the fridge for three days once defrosted. When your cake arrives, please follow the handling instructions. Please do not refreeze the cake once it has defrosted.
Our goal is to provide you with beautiful products and excellent service, but we understand that sometimes things don't go as planned. If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, please use our customer enquiry form.
If your cake has arrived damaged, email us at orders@patisserie-valerie.co.uk with images of the damage. Our inbox is monitored Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and one of our team members will respond as soon as possible.
You can also reach our Customer Service Team at 0121 728 6496, available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Please have your order number and batch code ready (this information can be found on the box).
Please note our cancellation policy:
- Cancelling 14 days to 72 hours before delivery or collection: You will receive a maximum of 50% of the order total.
- Cancelling within 72 hours of delivery or collection: Patisserie Valerie reserves the right to retain the total value of the order to cover costs.
- Orders placed for next-day delivery cannot be amended, altered, or cancelled once placed.
- Once your order has been fulfilled, no amendments or cancellations can be made.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation."
Yes, you can order your favourite cakes, savoury dishes and speciality hot drinks with a few clicks of a button! Perfect if you have a last-minute celebration that requires a whole celebration cake! Simply find your nearest Patisserie here and see what they have available!
If you would like to plan ahead and order a celebration cake for collection for a future date, you can currently order and pay in-store only with a team member. Alternatively, you can order for delivery in advance and have one less thing to worry about!
Yes, we would be delighted to help you plan for your special occasion or event. Simply contact us by emailing orders@patisserie-valerie.co.uk or call us directly on 0121 728 6496 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and we'll be pleased to help.
Yes, we would be delighted to supply an array of sweet treats for your office party. Simply contact us by emailing orders@patisserie-valerie.co.uk or call us directly on 0121 728 6496 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and we'll be pleased to help.
Please note: For your upcoming office party, team meeting, or event, we recommend placing your order early to allow the cake to fully defrost overnight. Additionally, be aware that our delivery partner, DPD, can deliver any time up until 9pm. We suggest arranging a suitable delivery location where someone will be available to accept the parcel.
Once your order is dispatched and you receive a tracking number, if you are unable to accept your delivery, please contact DPD via their website to set up a safe place or alternative delivery location. On the day of delivery, DPD will confirm a 1-hour delivery timeslot to keep you informed of your parcel's progress.
Are you an independent café or hotel looking to enhance your menu? Why not elevate your dessert offerings by introducing a select range of Patisserie Valerie’s exquisite treats to your customers. To find out more apply here: https://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/pages/wholesale
Please find our terms of service here.
Due to the nature of our freshly made-to-order cakes, once an order is placed, changes or cancellations can be challenging and are subject to the following conditions:
Cancellation between 14 days and 72 hours before your delivery or collection date: A maximum of 50% of the order total may be refunded.
Orders placed within 72 hours of the collection or delivery date: Unfortunately, these orders are non-cancellable, and Patisserie Valerie reserves the right to retain the full value of the order to cover costs.
Next-day delivery orders: These cannot be amended, altered, or cancelled once placed.
Please note, once the baking process begins, our team is fully committed to delivering your order as requested. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in these matters.
How to Cancel or Amend Your Order
To cancel or amend your order, please contact us at orders@patisserie-valerie.co.uk, via live chat on our website, or by calling 0121 728 6496.
If you aren't able to find the answer to your question, please feel free to use our enquiry form and we will aim to respond promptly during office hours.