So I went to Michaels for my first class. Kind of disappointing. The instructor had hair that was constantly hanging in her face which was the first turn off. Then her cake was lopsided. She apologized for it but I thought maybe it shouldn't have happened. Then when she iced it she told us that we would never, ever have a smooth cake. It was just impossible. And there would always be crumbs on it. Seriously? I don't think so.  I do cookies so I had pretty much used all of her techniques. But it was really a bummer. And I thought "Wilton" wouldn't be impressed.

That's pretty funny. Guess she doesn't get around much or look at pictures of smooth crumbless cakes??

Wilton cake decorating classes aren't exactly the CIA. I paid approximately $5.50 per 2-hour class for a whopping $22 with change. I'd say that level of instruction is consistent with the price and the company. While a lot of pros and aspiring pros take those classes, I feel they are more geared toward the mommy trying to make johnny's 1st birthday cake who isn't necessarily looking for razor sharp edges and spotless BC. And I seriously doubt the entrance 'test' for becoming an instructor is stringent. #justsaying

Yeah I guess your right. I was just kind of surprised. I'm already at the level she was doing. I was just hoping for more

That is very disappointing.   I have taken all the Wilton Classes and my teacher was awesome.  I actually still take private classes with her.  She is very talented and very knowledgeable.  If I were you I'd send a Comment Note to Wilton, let them know you were disappointed.  My Instructor also teaches at the College as a Decorator.  I have taken those classes as well.

Sorry you are so disappointed.  Maybe you need to find a different teacher.  But I would definitely send a comment to Wilton.  She is obviously not very skilled or knowledgeable and should probably not be teaching at her skill level.

http://www.wilton.com/classes/instructors/   Send a note to the recruiting team.

Hope you enjoy the rest of the class.

From my experience it depends on the instructor. Course 1, the instructor was very laid back, course 2-4 I got feedback from others and signed up with the best instructor available. No regrets. 

This isn't "typical", or acceptable. 

Please take the time to do 2 things:  contact Wilton (this is the recruiting phone number, but I'm sure that they can put you over to the proper person: 1-800-772-7111 ext. 2812 ) AND talk to the store supervisor, explaining that the class is sub-par.
 

Believe me, this is NOT at all what Wilton wants, or expects, from their WMIs.  Actual feedback is the only way that they can know that they need to replace someone who apparently takes no pride in the craft and who doesn't know the basics.  If she can't teach the basics well, I wouldn't expect much as the class progresses, either.

I had a fantastic Wilton instructor and she would have never said anything so DUMB.

Rae

I totally agree that you should not have to settle for a poor instructor regardless of how much you paid for the class. A friend and I both took Wilton cake courses. She did hers through Joanns and I through Michaels. I had a great instruction with 30+ yrs of baking experience and she makes herself accessible through Facebook to answer questions from her current and previous students. My friend did not learn half as much as I did and I've had to fill her in on what I learned. So just because you got someone who set the bar very low it shouldn't be a reflection on all Wilton instructors so give Wilton and the store manager a call and get your money back and sign up with a different instructor.
 

I hope you got a better enjoyment from your Wilton Class. I teach and base my success on the emails of images my students keep sending me of their cakes after the classes. I started teaching so that people could learn the proper and quick method of cake decorating. I just ran across your post.

Bill Jackson

www.bakerybybill.com
 

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I take the Wilton Class through my Michaels as well. My instructor is awesome... She is patient and kknowledgable. She has made me want to learn and learn and what is all the better she is willing to teach me more than just what the class is.  She also had a class where I was the only student so I got a lot of technigues and tips.  I tried taking a Wilton class through AC Moore and that instructor was horrid... she sounded like Jennifer Tilly and well if I wanted to learn how to speak like a breathy bride of chuckie that would be great but I was there to learn and it did not work.  I am sorry that your teacher was so substandard, just don't give up find other classes in your area or check on other times because there are usually different teachers.

Good luck and happy baking.

I'm sorry to hear about your disappointing class.  I am very fortunate to be located close to the Wilton headquarters so in addition to their June tent sale (which is great fun) I can take courses directly through them.  The downside to the classes is they are more expensive but I guess you get what you pay for.  I would suggest you try another location or instructor.  Ask around and get some feedback from people in the area but by all means, send your feedback to Wilton!
 

Spend a little money on the Wilton books on ebay or abebooks.

Any hardbacked book in the Celebrate series (6 different ones) or The Wilton Way (3 different ones) has a good solid series of lessons with everything done the right Wilton way (like starting with a clean cake and a crumb coat...).  Buy the cheapest listing, no need to spend more than $25 per Wilton Way book.  The patterns are all online on the Wilton Pattern Locator.  Work your way through the lesson portions (which do advocate piping practise on cake tins and such). They are well enough written that you can follow them from the books.

And by all means contact Wilton about your lesson experience, because there were several no-no's that would turn off any normal person.

I took course 1 at my local Michaels, the instructor was late every week, reading out from the book the entire time, and sloppy. When she canceled the final class and didn't call any of us to let us know it was the last straw for me. I signed up for course 2 at the local Joann and the instructor is so much better, plus I was only one of two in the class rather than one of 12 (in a room the same size) at Michaels. 

I was going to complain to Wilton but since I had checked the box marked 'are you interested in becoming an instructor' I thought it might be a bit tacky! 

AI know Michaels offers cake decorating classes regularly. That's where I took most all of my cake decorating classes. They were surprisingly really good at teaching for the price. They always usually run sales so sometimes you can catch them at a really good price. The Michaels in my area Elk Grove, CA has a really knowledgeable instructor in my opinion. When I took class with her she had been doing it for over 40 years. I think it just depends on ur area.