I was wondering...

no you do not have to attend to college

 

tons of techniques are free for the viewing online and in books etc.

 

you just have to practice

 

and same for any class --just because you are attending does not guarantee you that expertise

 

only practicing does

 

lots of cakers are not trained in a classroom

 

attending classes conducted by individual cake artists is extremely valuable though

 

attending culinary school for any discipline is wonderfully rewarding, fun 

 

and while not necessary it does afford you a great networking avenue

 

and you can start today if you want--anytime!

If you want to work for someone else as a cake decorator, all you need are baking and decorating skills, and that does not require college. If you want to start and run your own business (or have the flexibility to change careers in the future) college is highly recommended.

yes highly!

it's not like receiving a degree to be a doctor or a teacher or an engineer

 

it's a compilation of various studies to learn how to practice so you can acquire the skills, translate that into an art form

 

culinary schools primarily pump out chefs and pastry chefs--for the restaurant/hotel trades

 

(who by the way typically gain no additional wages for the trouble of having attended school but i digress)

 

restaurant work is so different from cake deco/art but can include it and more high end sugar art

 

full blown bakery work is so different than cake deco/art but can include it

 

just so many different facets to the food/pastry rainbow of gems

 

but strictly cake deco, i don't know of any viable 'school' from start to finish i guess

 

maybe some of the very elite places $$$

 

it would be contained within the pastry field

 

it's a journey a lifelong journey at that

ok--so part of the beauty of cake deco is you can learn and practice anytime

 

right now even

 

if you could learn any two cake deco things what do you want to know first?

 

big or small, advanced or newbie

 

two things

I started by taking the basic Wilton Method Classes that they now host at Michales, Jo-Ann, A.C Moore etc.  That is is how I learned core skills like leveling a cake, making buttercream, smoothing a cake, piping borders, rolling and applying fondant, stacking cakes, basic gumpaste flowers. You can take those classes while still in high school and they will give you a place to start. I learned the basics through decorating classes, and then just improved with practice, Youtube, online tutorials...so many sources out there you can use right now.

I have a degree in marketing which has helped in the business aspect and I highly recommend looking into if your goal is to open a shop.

If you want to run your own business you could find a program that was a culinary program that had business classes. Most people who do cakes have a lot of practice to explain their skills, but the ones who are successful realize that the business side of it is just as important as being able to decorate a cake. Get a good background in how to run a business and you'l be WAY ahead of the game.

there's no straight line to becoming a 'cake designer' unless

 

you are related to someone who would shepherd you

 

and you are internally wired/driven to do it as well

 

it's a combination of so many things

Wilton has a practice mat you can purchase for borders and such, I bought one just last week.I have taken the wilton courses and they help tremendously.if you have an imagination you already have your first skill :) ..

 

For business side is is such a great idea and very much suggested to take some business courses at your college or university.I wish I had that behind me, I have managed so many restaruants but it was just not enough. When it comes to the business side if you ever want to run your own business there are so many things that a great education can show you and give you the tools that you will need in everyday occurances in running a business. if you are just looking to be working for someone though take some of the classes that your local hobby shop offers.

 

Start your stock pile now of things like fondant cutters and such when they are on sale.Practice practice practice, let your imagination run wild and have a good time. Some of the best cakes come from somebody with an idea in the middle of the night so make sure you write your ideas down and experiment.

 

HAVE FUN!!!!! that is the most important thing

here is the Wilton practice board I am talking about.

http://www.cakedecoratingsolutions.com.au/products/Wilton-%252d-Deluxe-Piping-Practice-Board.html

OP, you might find this interesting:

http://naomi-sugarspice.blogspot.com/2012/07/piping-techniques-for-cake-decorating.html

 

You could go to www.wilton.com and look under patters. Print some out, cover with plastic cling wrap, and practice piping over the designs with various tips, such as

http://www.wilton.com/downloads/patterns/pbww2_32.33.pdf

The French Pastry School in Chicago does a course 'The Art of Cake' which covers baking cakes as well as an extensive decorating portion, but it's $17k!

Anyone got $17k to spare so I can go!