How to become a chocolate cake designer

Is becoming a chocolate cake designer right for me?

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Overview
What do chocolate cake designers do?

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How to become a Chocolate Cake Designer

Becoming a chocolate cake designer typically involves a combination of education, training, and experience in the baking and pastry arts. Here are the steps you can take to become a chocolate cake designer:

  • Get an education in baking and pastry arts: Many culinary schools, vocational schools, and community colleges offer programs relevant to cake design, ranging from certificates and diplomas to associate or bachelor's degrees in disciplines such as baking and pastry arts. These programs cover pastry techniques, ingredients, recipe development, and baking principles.
  • Learn about chocolate: As a chocolate cake designer, you need to have a deep understanding of chocolate. Study the different types of chocolate, their properties, and how to temper chocolate to achieve the desired texture and appearance.
  • Gain experience in a bakery or pastry shop: Work in a bakery or pastry shop to gain practical experience in baking and cake decoration. This will help you build a portfolio of your work and gain a better understanding of the industry.
  • Apprenticeship: Apprenticeships with bakeries, chocolatiers, catering companies, or restaurants are a traditional way to learn cake design and kitchen organization and sanitation, providing hands-on, practical training in a professional kitchen under the guidance of an experienced baker or cake designer. Apprenticeships can take anywhere from one to three years to complete.
  • Build your portfolio: Create a portfolio of your work, including pictures of your cake designs and other baked goods. This will be useful when applying for jobs or when starting your own business.
  • Attend workshops and conferences: Attend workshops and conferences to keep up with the latest trends and techniques in cake design and chocolate making.
  • Consider getting certified: Consider getting certified as a pastry chef or a cake designer to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers or clients.
  • Start your own business: Once you have gained enough experience and built a solid portfolio, consider starting your own chocolate cake design business. This will allow you to showcase your creativity and passion for baking while being your own boss.

Professional Organizations / Continuing Education / Certifications
The following organizations can provide access to industry trends and best practices, professional events, training, and continuing education opportunities, as well as a network of like-minded professionals working in the field.

  • International Cake Exploration Societé (ICES) – ICES is a non-profit organization dedicated to the art of cake decorating and sugar artistry. It offers the Certified Master Sugar Artist (CMSA) credential.
  • The Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art – The Wilton School offers the Wilton Method Instructor Certification. The Wilton Method is a popular approach to cake decorating, and the certification is a credential for cake decorators who have completed training in the Wilton Method and passed an exam.
  • PME Knightsbridge, UK – This organization offers the PME Professional Diploma in Sugarcraft, an internationally recognized qualification in sugarcraft and cake decorating. Candidates for the diploma must complete a series of courses in areas such as sugar flowers, royal icing, and cake design, as well as pass a practical exam.
  • World Cocoa Foundation / International Association of Culinary Professionals – IACP offers the Certified Master Chocolatier certification.
  • American Culinary Federation (ACF) – The ACF is the largest professional chefs' organization in North America. It offers the Certified Pastry Culinarian (CPC) certification, designed for cake and pastry professionals who have completed a culinary education or have several years of pastry experience.
  • Retail Bakers of America (RBA) – RBA administers the Certified Baker (CB) certification, designed for bakers who have completed a formal baking program or have several years of experience in the field. It also offers the Certified Decorator (CD) certification, targeted at pastry chefs and bakers who specialize in cake decorating.

Online Resources
There are many online resources available for chocolate cake designers, including:

  • Cake Central: Cake Central is a website that offers a wealth of information for cake decorators. It has a section specifically dedicated to chocolate cake designs, which includes tutorials, photos, and forums where decorators can ask and answer questions.
  • Craftsy: Craftsy is an online platform that offers classes on various crafts, including cake decorating. They have several classes focused on chocolate cake design, taught by expert decorators.
  • YouTube: YouTube is an excellent resource for cake designers of all skill levels. Many cake decorators have channels on YouTube where they share tutorials and techniques for chocolate cake design. Some notable channels include How to Cake It, My Cupcake Addiction, and Rosanna Pansino.
  • Instagram: Instagram is a great platform to discover new cake designs and decorators. Many cake decorators share their chocolate cake designs on Instagram, and you can find inspiration by browsing hashtags such as #chocolatecake, #cakeart, and #cakedecorating.
  • Pinterest: Pinterest is another platform where you can find a wealth of inspiration for chocolate cake design. You can search for chocolate cake designs and save them to your boards for future reference.