Cake decorating can be as simple as sprinkling a fine coat of icing sugar onto a regular round cake, or it can be as elaborate as sculpting a cake in the shape of a dog wearing a candy-encrusted collar. Cake decorators use their artistic skills to create different cake shapes and to build multi-level cake towers. They decorate the cakes with icing flowers or figures and make decorative borders. Besides an artistic eye, cake decorators need strong culinary skills. They need to understand the complexities of fillings and frostings, and to be aware of which ingredients can withstand certain temperatures.
Fancy cakes are the focal points of many special occasions - weddings, birthdays, christenings, holidays, corporate functions. Sometimes the customer has a specific idea about the look of the cake, such as a car-shaped cake for a young boy's birthday, or a specific message written with icing. Other times the customer wants the cake decorator to create something original in line with a chosen theme or style. If you own your own cake shop, you should create a portfolio of cake pictures from which a customer can choose.
The best way to learn the art of cake decorating is to take a course through a culinary college. Once you finish your course, get a job or apprenticeship in a cake decorating shop. This industry is hand-on, so get as much experience as you can! Many cake decorators decide to open their own bakery or cake decorating shop. Cake decorating is an easy stepping-stone from culinary art, pastry art, and even fine art.
