Many people love to celebrate their birthday with a meal at a restaurant joined by their nearest and dearest.
And to top it all off, at the end of the dinner, if you're lucky a loved one might bring out a cake while everyone sings Happy Birthday.
Some restaurants don't allow food to be brought in that isn't sold within the establishment, while others it seems might take a different approach.
One man has shared how he recently went for a birthday lunch with 11 other people and staff at the restaurant asked for a £10 per person 'cakeage' fee if they wanted to bring out a cake - a total of £120.
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Ivor Baddiel from North London has caused a stir on Twitter on Sunday, April 3 after sharing this discovery with his followers.
The 59-year-old posted: "I asked the restaurant I’m going to for a birthday lunch today if we could bring a cake with to be brought out at the end of the meal.
"They said yes, but they’d charge us cakeage (yes, cakeage) at £10 a head.
"What is this world we live in?"
Baddiel did not wish to name the restaurant in question but told The Mirror that the group decided not to take the cake with them in the end.
The party enjoyed a set menu for lunch, which included dessert, so they'd already paid for a sweet treat.
More than 26,000 people have liked the tweet, with many divided over the fee - some thought it was outrageous while others didn't see an issue.
One person wrote: "No one eats the birthday cake at a celebration it’s merely for the occasion. People still order deserts. Shame on any restaurant that charges cakeage!"
Another commented: "Sorry, but this is bad form. I work in marketing for a hotel group and we WANT to encourage groups of diners for celebrations. Let them bring their cake. Upsell on coffees and liqueurs, and even if they don’t have those they’ll leave HAPPY. That’s what hospitality is about."
Michelin starred chef, Paul Foster said: "I’m a big fan of cakeage, have charged it myself several times."
While restaurant critic Grace Dent posted: "Growingly common. Did everyone also order a dessert? Or just have the cake? 10 per head is steeeeeeeep though."
A different user added: "So you want the staff to cut the cake, serve the CAKE, with plates & cutlery, remove the dirty plates & cutlery, wash and dry the plates & cutlery & put them away & the owner to pay the staff all while losing dessert sales. Sounds very reasonable of you."
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
