Cake Decorator Education & Training Requirements
Cake designing is a skill that some people are able to learn on their own. However, starting a cake decorating career typically requires special training. A degree in culinary arts, for instance, can be very helpful when starting a cake design career.
Students usually have the option of earning either a two or four-year degree. The majority of culinary institutes and some traditional colleges also offer special cake design certificate programs. These certificate programs will usually take between three and six months to complete.
The majority of food stylists are very passionate about what they do and passionate about food in general. In general, food stylists should love to cook and be great at it. They should also have an eye for little details. Individuals interested in a food styling career should be aware that there is no actual degree for food styling specifically. Instead, most aspiring food stylists start their careers with a culinary arts degree. They may also be able to take courses and attend seminars to learn the tricks and techniques of food styling.
How Do I Start Baking At Home
With Michelle and Barbaras help, lets get the planning process started. Select the kind of bakery youd like to open. One of the first decisions youll have to make is the kind of shop you want to open. Write a business plan. Shop for space. Price your baked goods. Have a defined friends and family policy. Find support.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Be A Cake Decorator
Youll need : the ability to work well with your hands. to be thorough and pay attention to detail. the ability to work well with others. excellent verbal communication skills. knowledge of manufacturing production and processes. the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure. maths knowledge.
Read Also: C& c Painting And Decorating
Is It Hard To Be A Cake Decorator
Cake decorators use their skills to embellish cakes for birthdays, special occasions, and weddings. They also decorate other pastries. Cake decorators employ a range of techniques and equipment to decorate pastries. One of the biggest and most difficult projects for cake decorators are wedding cakes. via
Where Does A Cake Decorator Work
Bakeries are the main type of work environment for cake decorators. Also, restaurants, cruise ships and hotels, employ cake decorators. A cake decorator can also choose to be self-employed by opening their own bakery or running the business from home.
In the U.S., for persons desirous of running their business from home, the Cottage Food Law applies and vary by state. The cake decorator will have to check with the food states regulatory board to determine the legal requirements to operate a food-based operation in their home.
In the U.K., persons can apply via HM Revenue and Customs and meet the relevant criteria to establish a food-based operation in their home.
Read Also: What Time Does Floor And Decor Open
Cake Decorator Job Description Sample
With this Cake Decorator job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember though, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for their Cake Decorator position.
Summary
We are looking for a Cake Decorator to join our baking department. You will use freehand techniques as well as kits and tools to decorate cakes and other baked goods. Some designs will be standard creations for our display case, while others are customized according to client specifications. You must be able to take direction and adhere to strict food preparation guidelines. Proper handling and storage of equipment are required at all times. You will also be responsible for cleaning the decorating area before you start and after you are done.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Speak with customers to define cake specifications and design needs
- Use select ingredients, colors, and accessories to decorate cakes
- Stock and manage display cases
- Organize and reorder supplies, labeling where appropriate
Requirements and Qualifications
- Prior experience in a bakery setting cake decorating experience strongly preferred
- Excellent customer service and communications skills
- Creativity and familiarity with decorating tools and techniques
- Able to work a variety of shifts
- Valid food handler permit
How Do I Start A Cake Business From Home
How To Start A Successful Cake Business Register with your local council. Go on a food hygiene training course. Practice, practice, practice. Develop a niche. Research the industry and your market. Get some good recipes behind you. Be willing to put in the hours. Know your numbers or get an accountant. Build a website.
Recommended Reading: Coastal Decor With Leather Sofa
Icings And Special Techniques
The arts education website Creative Arts Schools states that cake decorating requires a variety of fine motor skills and creative hands-on abilities. This is especially true in the areas of molding, sugar sculpture and advanced piped icing, which demand practice and precision. These advanced techniques let you make cakes in different shapes and with unique appearances, design accessories like flowers and animals from sugar and include fillings and layers. Mastering advanced artistic skills will better equip you for a variety of decorator positions.
How To Be A Cake Decorator
Cake decorators work in bakeries, or in the bakery department of grocery stores. They decorate cakes and other pastries according to the specifications of the company or special customer orders. Some cake decorators learn their skill through a culinary arts pastry program. Others participate in on the job training. Cake decorators often also perform retail duties, so good customer service skills and a professional manner will make you more attractive as a candidate for a cake decorator job.
Don’t Miss: Black Hexagon Tile Floor And Decor
Are You Suited To Be A Cake Designer
Cake designers have distinct personalities. They tend to be artistic individuals, which means theyre creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate, and expressive. They are unstructured, original, nonconforming, and innovative. Some of them are also investigative, meaning theyre intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive.
Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if cake designer is one of your top career matches.
Working Hours And Conditions
Working Hours
In a full-time position, you would usually work a standard number of hours per week. In a commercial bakery, this could include shifts and weekends.
As a self-employed cake decorator, your work would probably be somewhat seasonal, and you would likely be busiest at times such as Christmas, Easter, and during the local wedding season.
Conditions
In a bakery, you might work in a cool room to stop the icing from melting. You may need to wear a uniform including a hat.
Some self-employed cake decorators may have their own premises, or may work from home.
Recommended Reading: Yellow And Grey Living Room Decor
What Education Do You Need To Become A Wedding Cake Decorator
It takes both education and experience to be a successful wedding cake decorator. Along with knowing how to make a garden full of flower specimens, beads and borders out of icing, it takes knowledge and practice to produce tiers of cake that are even, flat and smooth. Assembling the tiers is a science in itself, made possible through tools of the trade and practice. There are several ways to get the education needed to decorate wedding cakes that are works of art.
Whats It All About Then
As a cake decorator youll spend your time creating great designs on cakes, normally for birthdays and weddings, or other special events.
You could be responsible for the whole process of baking the cake from scratch and decorating it or you might simply be employed to decorate someone elses product.
You could work for yourself, or be employed by either a large or small bakery
Its your job to make cakes that are not only delicious but also look great!
Recommended Reading: Apartment Decorating Ideas For Couples
How To Become A Cake Decorator
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
You can take a course at a college. For example:
- Level 2 Certificate in Sugarcraft
- Level 2 Certificate in Professional Cake Decoration
- Level 3 Diploma in General Patisserie and Confectionary
Some colleges and adult learning centres run hobby courses in cake decorating, where you can pick up useful skills and techniques.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
Earn A Diploma Or Certificate In Baking Or Pastry Arts
Attend a baking and pastry arts program at a community college, trade school or arts college. These programs involve taking theoretical and hand-on courses to learn:
-
International cuisines and baking arts
-
Cooking and baking techniques
-
How to use kitchen equipment, tools and commercial baking machinery
-
Kitchen and bakery management
Depending on the program, you may earn an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or professional certification in your field. Having this qualification demonstrates to employers that you have mastered the basic skills of baking and decorating as well as practiced many advanced techniques, too. Some employers may prefer this formal education, so be sure to confirm the role’s education and training requirements.
Also Check: Which Home Decor Suits Your Personality
So You Want To Become A Professional Cake Decorator
If you go to baking school or attend a pastry arts program, youll most likely encounter one or two students who hope to enter the field of cake decorating. Cake decorating is a design-oriented field that combines basic culinary skills with a flair for creating artwith frosting as both your canvas and your tools.
What Qualifications Do You Need To Be A Baker
- Typical entry requirements: To become a professional baker, you can do a college course like a Level 2 Certificate in Bakery or Level 3 Diploma in Professional Bakery. Level 2 courses usually require two GCSEs, and Level 3 courses usually require four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 . If youre really passionate about baking, you may be able to start as a trainee or as a bakery assistant.
Don’t Miss: How To Make Icing For Cookie Decorating
How To Become A Cake Decorator In 5 Steps
You can become a cake decorator by enrolling in a pastry arts or cake decorating program or by honing your skills at a local bakery. If you wish to decorate cakes as a hobby, you can take informal classes at a craft store. Practice your skills by preparing cakes for family and friends.
What do I need to do to become a cake decorator? A lot of cake decorators come into this career by first doing it as a hobby. Its also common to move into cake decorating if you have a background in design. You can take courses like sugarcraft to help you find work. Some local colleges offer full-time courses in patisserie and confectionery.
As a professional cake decorator, you may work out of your own home, or you may rent a commercial kitchen for the food creation part of your day. Churches, community centers and other places of gathering oftenhave kitchens available for part-time rental, as do restaurants and FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator
However, starting a cake decorating career typically requires special training. A degree in culinary arts, for instance, can be very helpful when starting a cake design career. Students usually have the option of earning either a two or four-year degree.
There is no education required to become a cake decorator, though training and/or a certificate or an associate’s degree in pastry arts or a related field might be required.
How To Become An Cake Decorator
Entry Level Education
To become a cake decorator, you may need to be a qualified commercial pastrycook. You would usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in Patisserie or Retail Baking . Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require junior secondary school certificate or equivalent.
Many self-employed cake decorators are self-taught, or have undertaken private courses.
Also Check: Home Theater Decorative Wall Panels
What About The Pay
This will vary with experience and employers, but you could expect the following:
A trainee cake decorator could earn £12,000 per year, which could rise to £20,000 with experience.
Highly experienced cake decorators could earn up to £25,000 per year
If youre self-employed, then you could charge anywhere from £8 to £14 per hour your earnings will vary with the amount of work you do.
Remember that these salary figures are for your guidance only.
A Cake Decorating Is One Of The Sugar Arts That Uses Icing Or Frosting And Other Edible Decorative Elements To Make Plain Cakes More Visually Interesting
How To Become A Cake Decorator. A career for creative individuals preparing and decorating cakes using various techniques. These simple cake decorating ideas are perfect for anyone who just wants a beautiful cake! I was interested in this pastry arts program that’s about a year long, but am hesitant because i would have to take out loans for about $20,000 for the year . What is a cake decorator and how to become one.
I have basic skills in cake decirating which can be built on by practice and experience and my ability to become a good i like to prepare and decorate a cake with love and see how happy people are to see the final product.
And also people always quit or get laid off which can leave and open opportunity for you to become a cake.
You May Like: How To Decorate A Screened In Porch
Is Cake Decorating A Good Career For Me
First of all, keep in mind that cake decorating requires more than basic cake decorating skills. The job requires a highly creative mind, a lot of practice and not forgetting a good grasp of cake decorating knowledge. As a cake decorator, one has to work efficiently in designing unique and attractive cakes, constructing them well and also embellish them as customers would like.
Most cake decorators work for pastries and bakeries even though one can start a business on their own. For those who choose to work in bakeries, they have to be highly creative and impeccable in their work as most orders therein are for special occasions such as weddings and group parties. In addition, cake decorators are also sometimes tasked with providing customer care services, tracking supplies of their decorated cakes, and maintaining health and sanitation at their places of work. Also, remember that cake decorating can become a stressful job especially when you have tough deadlines to meet.
How To Become A Professional Cake Decorator
If you have fine motor skills and creative abilities, becoming a professional cake decorator may be the right career for you. With this profession, you turn delicious cakes into beautiful pieces to admire and eat. Since cake decorating can be quite intricate, this profession requires education and training. In this article, we explore everything this career entails and share how to become a professional cake decorator.
Related:How To Write a Cake Decorator Resume
Read Also: Decorative Outdoor Lights For Christmas
Everything You Need To Know About Being A Cake Designer
Related
Cake decorating is more than simply making a delicious cake it is about making an edible work of art. A cake designer can craft a gorgeous, towering cake for a wedding or a simple set of cupcakes for a birthday party. While a formal education isnt required to be a cake designer, being creative and artistic certainly helps.
What Is A Cake Designer
Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, and special occasions. What is something they all have in common? Cakes, of course!
Cake designers are the artisans behind beautiful cake creations. They are bakers who specialize in making and decorating cakes for all occasions.
Cakes are often the centrepiece of the dessert table. As such, they have to look amazing. Designers bake and decorate custom cakes based on the requirements of customers. Creative designs are used and adapted to produce a unique and visually striking product for each customer.
Read Also: Floor And Decor Lake Worth
How To Become A Baker/cake Decorator
If you’re interested in becoming a Baker/Cake Decorator, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We’ve determined that 20.2% of Baker/Cake Decorators have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 1.5% of Baker/Cake Decorators have master’s degrees. Even though some Baker/Cake Decorators have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a Baker/Cake Decorator. When we researched the most common majors for a Baker/Cake Decorator, we found that they most commonly earn Associate Degree degrees or High School Diploma degrees. Other degrees that we often see on Baker/Cake Decorator resumes include Bachelor’s Degree degrees or Diploma degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a Baker/Cake Decorator. In fact, many Baker/Cake Decorator jobs require experience in a role such as Cashier. Meanwhile, many Baker/Cake Decorators also have previous career experience in roles such as Cake Decorator or Baker.
What Is Cake Decorating
The first cakes were actually small round sweet pieces of bread. They were usually made by baking a mixture of flour, eggs, fat, sugar, and leavening agents. Flavors, like vanilla or fruit, were also added at times. It wasnt until sometime around the 17th century that these pieces of bread began to resemble the cakes that we know today, however. Around this time, bakers started adding icings and frostings to cakes.
Cake icing is often one of the most important aspects of cake decorating. Once the cake has been baked, the icing can be shaped and molded into decorative designs. Other objects, like shaped candies, can also be added to decorate cakes as well.
Today, decorated cakes are often used to celebrate all sorts of events and milestones. For example, birthdays, along with weddings, usually arent complete without a decorated cake. Other events, like retirements, graduations, and new additions can also be celebrated with a decorated cake. Some individuals even add lavishly decorated cakes to holiday celebrations.
Recommended Reading: Cake Decorating Classes San Francisco
