For the cake decorators and pastry chefs out there?!
Answers: I am in middle school but, I already know that my future career will be in making patries and decorating cakes. I have all the tips, pastry bags etc. that I need and I need some tips on how to make a proffessional looking cake WITHOUT Wilton cake decorating classes because I am too young to take them (I think)
Here's one thing no one mentioned. I have a number of Wilton books that show step-by-step how to make flowers, piping, mixing colors for things like pansy flowers, etc. I just went to Amazon.com and saw that you can order them - some for under $2 and some for under $4. Ask your Mom is she would get them for you from Amazon.com. You can give her your allowance and you will then have some step-by-step ideas. You can look at the Amazon.com website with your Mom and decide which of the Wilton books is the one or ones you want. Always buy the used ones - I've found they are a lot of times in mint condition.
That's how I learned to decorate cakes. And, here's a book you may be able to check out of the library (or even get at Amazon.com - I've seen it in many many used book stores). It's called Decorating Cakes and Party Foods Baking Too! by Louise Spencer. It not only shows you how to decorate cakes but it also has the recipes for the cakes and frostings and has color pictures of some cakes they've made and are in the book. My copy of that book was made in 1969 and right now on Amazon.com, that book sells for 59 cents.
Test your skills by making pastries, cookies, and cakes for local organizations or friends who need help with parties and weddings. then you will know if you're products are 'sellable"
and you might make some decent money to save towards your own shop? Betty Crocker put out a specialty "Cake Decorating" cook book. Look for them on the web a www.bettycrocker.com
Check out websites that offer demonstrations. But a good source is your library. Get some books that show techniques and practice. Practice is the MAIN thing. And don't worry - I took one of those cake decorating classes years ago and it was AWFUL!! The instructor's cakes were hideous and I refused to do them like she said!! Once when I did and my caike turned out like hers I had fun taking it to all of my friends and showing them how crazy it looked. If you have interest and stick with it you will do great!
The trick to making your decorating look professional is making your icing and practice your borders over and over. They make a plastic practice sheet that you decorate on, it has the shape across the page and tels you which tip to use and you do it all the way to the other end and wipe it off and do it again. It also has letters so you can practice writing. Now roses you just have to get the feel for decorating on the nail. Just remember the key is "practice, practice, practice"
Wilton is geared to making people who only make a cake now and again look good with their molds and their color in the numbers designs. If you wanna be a pro practice. Bake and decorate. Try things that look challenging, interesting or fun. Experience is so much a better teacher especially and I hate to say this your flops. Go to a small bakery and offer to work a few hours every weekend for free & show up ! In Europe this used to be the way pastry chefs learned is that they were apprenticed and not just for a few hours on a weekend. Practice borders on the back of a plate. Enter some competitions. Read and find recipes on-line... Can you make Pate choux or croissant dough, chocolate ganache, what about creme anglais or pastry cream? There is a ton you can learn with the help of the internet .Tons of good information there.
Learn how to make fondant. You can do amazing things with it!
Well I can't tell you everything all at one time so just e-mail me. Although I suggest you start out with learning how to decorate cakes. I can guide you through that. If you have any questions you can always e-mail me.
Call Michael's or Hobby Lobby and see what they offer as far as Wilton classes. Those really are the best to learn the basics. If you aren't old enough to take it alone (?!) then see if your Mom or someone older can take it with you.
That, and practice, practice, practice!
try
cake central http://www.cakecentral.com/index-cake-de...
you tube don't have the link for it
http://www.monkeysee.com/play/980-cake-d...
cake central is the best has forums great people and recipes
Why are you asking for tips when you just said you have all the tips, maybe you should think about sharing your tips with other people instead of hogging the tips for yourself. Here is a tip, when you become a pastry chef, plan on sharing your pastries with others instead of hoarding everything for yourself.