Hi all,

Looking for some advice really and for people to share their experiences of training if you wouldn't mind.

I have a small cake business which I set up after I fell in love with my caking hobby. It's going well - I'm not trying to get too big too quickly as my son is only 17 months and I'm primarily a full time mum! But I have orders pretty much every week.

I've done a City and Guild in Sugarcraft (mostly sugar flowers) and various royal icing courses, but I'm now wondering about the benefits of doing a proper patisserie course, partly for the business, partly for enjoyment.

Has anyone done this and found it beneficial to their business? It's a big investment of time and money, so much as I'd love to learn about all the different skills in patisserie, I don't know whether I'd be better doing one day cake courses on specific caking skills. Is there enough cake elements on a general patisserie course?

The floor is open for your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

Here's what a simple search brought up:

Many of the posts share different views on the merits/demerits of pastry school vs other options;

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-714095.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-656801.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-619908.html

Basically, be sure the program has a strong emphasis CAKE DECORATING. Most Pastry schools prepare you to be a pastry chef not necessarily a cake decorator, so you will still have to supplement the courses with cake-specific classes.

I'm enrolled in a Pastry Arts program, and honestly I've learned more outside of class than in. I'm taking a wedding cakes course this semester so we'll see. I chose pastry school not necessarily for cake decorating but to get a basic understanding of baking science, recipe development e.t.c.

EDIT: For managing a business, Pastry school isn't going to give you the proper education for that. Take business courses.

Thank you fr the links- will read through in the morning. Interested in your experience too - that's what I was expecting to be honest. Think the pastry school would be interesting but not as directly beneficial to caking!

All set business wise- did plenty of research and have a business plan in place. So no need for additional business course unless I decide to open a shop!

I think the short courses teach you more than a pastry school would. The only other sensible option would be the PME courses which produce a certification after intensive training in specific decorating skills. These last 8 or so weeks.