Can I come over and learn everything you know for free? - Page 3

I'm not trying to be snarky when I ask: How do you know all these people who approach you just want to "hang around" and get all your trade secrets and then leave?

I'm in my late 30s and am making a career change from corporate marketing to custom cakes and desserts. I am not going to go to culinary school but I don't think that makes me any less hard-working than someone who has a mandatory culinary school externship to fulfill.

I have cold-called and worked for a few cake designers and did PLENTY of grunt work, which is what I expected. I am there for them to do the things that they don't have the time to do, and in exchange, I get to learn a few tricks of the trade along the way. It's not like what I've learned is classified information! It's all out there, on youtube, on flickr, etc...

one of the local cake shops in Austin actually advertises that you can watch their chef make their cakes for a day (for a fee). i hope to sign up for this one day

Thanks for posting these links!

I don't mind answering a couple questions but I don't like that open ended "Will you please tell me everything about how to do this?"

Especially here since its very easy to open a home kitchen for decorating....everyone wants to do it! haha.

I'm glad to see this topic since I have been wanting to ask someone...I am in a town that only has Michael's Wilton basic class which I took twenty years ago and do cakes for my own pleasure. I took a gumpaste class years ago from a local cake decorating supply shop, which closed and now there is nowhere to go to learn. I was wanting to ask one of the local bakeries that advertise beautiful gumpaste flowers on their cakes, if they would be willing to hold classes (paid for, of course) but didn't know if this would be considered out of line?? Please let me know how you would feel if I called your shop and asked if you would teach classes.

Good to know...thanks for answering

I guess if I had payed a lot of money to learn what you did that would irritate me too. As for me, I taught myself a lot of the things I know from the internet. I grew up knowing how to do the basic Wilton decorating bc my mother was a Wilton teacher and had been decorating cakes since before my brother(1977) or I was born(1979). Believe me I'm not perfect at fondant or gum paste work but I always try to do something new on each order I do, so I further my knowledge. I just offered a couple of days ago to help out someone I went to high school with. She needed a few basic tips. I personally am not bothered by this situation bc I learned all I know for free so I don't mind passing on a few tips on decorating here and there. I totally understand where you're coming from with your frustration!

True, True...I totally understand...you needed to vent and it's totally fine we all need to do that from time to time...I don't think I'd be wanting someone to watch me do stuff ALL day either! I already have that but they aren't anywhere near the age of understanding what's going on it irritates me to NO end! LOL

I've enjoyed reading this thread. My mother was a cake decorator some 25 years ago and I learned from her, also while in high school (over 20 years ago) I took a food service class and was deligated to decorating and airbrushing cakes because my teacher saw a talent in me. I have been decorating cakes as a hobby and for family all these years. My mother passed on to me all of her decorating tools, pans, ect.
I was asked to make a wedding cake for a friend of the family's daughter. When she asked me what I would charge her before I could answer she threw in the "because it's not like you are a professional".... I tried not to be insulted. I am not a professional. I am basically self taught. So I decided to take the Wilton classes at Michael's. Unfortunately Course 1 and 2 didn't teach me anything new. I would love to go to pastry/ culinary school but am almost 40 and have 4 kids and husband and I already own one business auto related.
The wedding was called off so I didn't get to do that cake but it got me thinking about expanding into a business. "Becoming a professional" My state doesn't allow home based kitchens that I know of. I can't seem to get anywhere with the local health dept. I don't have the money to launch out to renting a building. I don't sell that many cakes!
Since word has gotten out that I "do" cakes and cookies I too have people asking me for my recipes. Some I've developed, some I've searched the internet for, gone through all the trail and errors of finding just the right recipe and then everyone wants it. Even though I am not officially a business (I hope to be some day)I feel guilty telling people I won't share my recipes.
I always feel guilty going to the local bakery and asking if I can buy a large cake box as we don't have stores that sells them nearby.
I respect the cake decorator and all their professional training. So I guess I'm just a rookie trying to make my way into this world of cakes. But I do feel I have ability and talent and knowledge more than the average Joe. But until I have a store front I am made to feel like I am nothing and shouldn't get a fair price for my time, talent and artwork. So what is a girl to do?