How to become a special occasion cake designer

Is becoming a special occasion cake designer right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do special occasion cake designers do?

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How to become a Special Occasion Cake Designer

Becoming a special occasion cake designer requires a combination of education, training, and practical experience. Here are some steps to take:

  • Get formal education: Although not a requirement, taking formal courses in baking and pastry arts can provide a solid foundation for a career as a cake designer. Many culinary schools offer certificate and degree programs in baking and pastry arts.
  • Gain experience: Practice your baking and decorating skills by creating cakes for family and friends. Consider volunteering at local bakeries or pastry shops to gain more experience.
  • Attend workshops and courses: For individuals who choose not to pursue a formal education in the culinary or baking arts, taking vocational school workshops or standalone courses in baking, pastry arts, cake construction and decorating, and business management is another way to begin preparing for a career as a special occasion cake designer.
  • Apprenticeship: Apprenticeships with bakeries, 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 a portfolio: Create a portfolio of your best cake designs and display them on a website or social media platform. This will help you showcase your talent and attract potential clients. The portfolio should include photos of your work along with detailed descriptions of the design process, recipes for each project, and testimonials from satisfied clients.
  • Network: Attend events and connect with event planners, wedding coordinators, and other industry professionals. This will help you build your client base and establish your reputation as a cake designer.
  • Start your own business: Once you have gained enough experience, consider starting your own business. You can either work from home or open a brick-and-mortar bakery. Ensure you comply with local regulations and obtain any necessary licenses or permits.
  • Continuously learn and evolve: Stay up-to-date with current trends and new techniques in the industry by attending workshops and seminars, reading industry publications, and experimenting with new ideas and designs.

Certification
There are several certifications that special occasion cake designers can obtain to showcase their skills and expertise. Here are a few options:

  • Certified Professional Cake Decorator (CPCD): Offered by the National Cake Decorating Association (NCDA), this certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated advanced skills in cake decorating. The CPCD exam consists of a written portion and a hands-on decorating portion.
  • Certified Master Sugar Artist (CMSA): Offered by the International Cake Exploration Societe (ICES), this certification is considered the highest level of achievement in the sugar arts. It requires candidates to demonstrate advanced skills in sugar artistry, including sugar sculpture, pulled sugar, blown sugar, and pastillage.
  • Wilton Method Instructor: Wilton offers a series of classes on cake decorating, and individuals who complete the entire series can become certified as Wilton Method Instructors. This certification is ideal for individuals who want to teach cake decorating classes or work in a retail setting.
  • PME Master Certification: Offered by Knightsbridge PME, this certification is designed for cake decorators who want to master advanced techniques such as sugar flowers, royal icing, and piping. Candidates must complete a series of classes and exams to obtain this certification.

Online Resources
There are many online resources available for special occasion cake designers. Here are some websites and online communities that you might find helpful:

  • Cake Central: Cake Central is a community of cake designers and enthusiasts who share their ideas, techniques, and recipes. They also have a forum where you can ask questions and get advice from other members.
  • Wilton: Wilton is a well-known brand that sells cake decorating supplies and also offers tutorials, recipes, and ideas for cake designs on their website.
  • The Cake Blog: The Cake Blog is a website that features cake designs and tutorials from professional cake designers. They also have a section for DIY cake decorating projects.
  • Craftsy: Craftsy offers online courses on a variety of topics, including cake decorating. You can learn from professional cake designers and get step-by-step instructions on how to create beautiful cakes for special occasions.
  • YouTube: YouTube is a great resource for tutorials and inspiration. There are many channels dedicated to cake decorating, and you can find videos on everything from basic techniques to advanced designs.
  • Pinterest: Pinterest is a visual search engine that allows you to browse through images and ideas for cake designs. You can create boards to save your favorite designs and get inspiration for your own creations.
  • Instagram: Instagram is another great source of inspiration for cake designers. You can follow professional cake designers and see their latest creations, as well as get ideas from other cake enthusiasts.