Step by step guide to becoming a cake decorator

A cake designer is a professional baker who specializes in making and decorating cakes for all occasions. Examples include cakes for weddings, birthdays, holidays, and other special events. 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.

What does a cake decorator do?

A cake designer starts with baking the cakes. This process involves mixing ingredients using commercial quality baking equipment and tools. The cake batter is then transferred to pans where it is placed in ovens and baked for the appropriate amount of time. After the cake is allowed to cool, the designer begins to assemble the end product. This can often involve placing one or more pieces of cake on top of one another to get a desired look. Cake stands and other similar products may be used to help achieve a desired multi tier presentation. Once completed, a cake designer is then able to decorate the cake.

To decorate a cake, he or she uses various specialized tools including moulds, spatulas, decorating pens and stencils. Frosting or fondant is placed on the cake and then moulded into a certain shape. Cake designers manipulate the frosting or fondant to create a custom designed cake based on instructions provided by the customer.

Once finished, the cake is either picked up by the client or it is delivered. Delivery involves packaging the cake for transport and driving the finished product to the appropriate location. Designers ensure that cakes are delivered safely to the customer’s location at the date and time requested.

What kind of skills are required?

Designing cakes require some artistic abilities. While many of the techniques for cake decorating can be taught and learned, the cake designer is required to conceptualize and craft a client’s request into a design. Since a cake designer will work closely with clients, having good communication and people skills is important. You may have to deal with upset or picky customers, which will require patience and problem-solving skills. Since cakes must be baked according to a recipe, designed and completed within a short timeframe — and often for a strict deadline — you must also be organized and detail-oriented to complete your orders.

The steps to becoming a cake decorator

  1. Complete a formal training program
  2. Get work experience
  3. Earn certification

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