Cake Decorator

By TACP Staff on July 12, 2021

We’ve all heard the term, “It put the frosting on the cake!” Cake designers, literally do exactly that – they are artistic culinary professionals responsible for the exterior presentation of baked goods. Career opportunities range from small bakeries, grocery store chains, and fine dining establishments; to work for a photographer or magazine publisher. If you enjoy creating delicious art, you may have found your niche!

What Is Cake Decorating?

The first cakes were actually small round sweet pieces of bread. They were usually made by baking a mixture of flour, eggs, fat, sugar, and leavening agents. Flavors, like vanilla or fruit, were also added at times. It wasn’t until sometime around the 17th century that these pieces of bread began to resemble the cakes that we know today, however. Around this time, bakers started adding icings and frostings to cakes.

Cake icing is often one of the most important aspects of cake decorating. Once the cake has been baked, the icing can be shaped and molded into decorative designs. Other objects, like shaped candies, can also be added to decorate cakes as well.

Today, decorated cakes are often used to celebrate all sorts of events and milestones. For example, birthdays, along with weddings, usually aren’t complete without a decorated cake. Other events, like retirements, graduations, and new additions can also be celebrated with a decorated cake. Some individuals even add lavishly decorated cakes to holiday celebrations.

What Does a Cake Decorator Do?

A cake decorator is a culinary professional that is responsible for turning a simple cake into a mountain of confectionary perfection. Some cake decorators will bake their cakes themselves. This can be done by mixing ingredients from scratch, or by using a commercial cake mix. In some instances, however, a cake decorator may just be responsible for decorating a cake.

The majority of food stylists are very passionate about what they do and passionate about food in general. In general, food stylists should love to cook and be great at it. They should also have an eye for little details. Individuals interested in a food styling career should be aware that there is no actual degree for food styling specifically. Instead, most aspiring food stylists start their careers with a culinary arts degree. They may also be able to take courses and attend seminars to learn the tricks and techniques of food styling.

The initial planning of decorating a cake is typically considered very important. Cake decorators will usually meet and talk with clients, in order to find out what type of cake is needed as well as how it will look. Once a cake decorator has formed an idea of what the final cake will look like, she will often draw sketches to show her clients.

A cake decorator will then usually get started on actually decorating the cake. First, a layer of frosting or fondant is spread onto the surface of the cake. Icing can then be piped onto the cake to create designs, flowers, words, and other visually appealing elements. Other decorative items, like real flowers, candy, and plastic toys can also be added as well. An airbrushing tool and food coloring can also be used to create unusual effects on cake icing as well.

Many cake decorators are open to creating all different types of attractive cakes, while others may specialize in certain types of cakes. For example, a cake decorator might specialize in tiered cakes for all occasions, or she may just create custom wedding cakes.

Cake Decorator Education & Training Requirements

Cake designing is a skill that some people are able to learn on their own. However, starting a cake decorating career typically requires special training. A degree in culinary arts, for instance, can be very helpful when starting a cake design career.

Students usually have the option of earning either a two or four-year degree. The majority of culinary institutes – and some traditional colleges – also offer special cake design certificate programs. These certificate programs will usually take between three and six months to complete.

The majority of food stylists are very passionate about what they do and passionate about food in general. In general, food stylists should love to cook and be great at it. They should also have an eye for little details. Individuals interested in a food styling career should be aware that there is no actual degree for food styling specifically. Instead, most aspiring food stylists start their careers with a culinary arts degree. They may also be able to take courses and attend seminars to learn the tricks and techniques of food styling.

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Cake Decorator Salary & Job Outlook

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect salary data specifically about cake decorators. They do, however, collect salary data for professionals in related fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals in special food services made an average annual salary of $45,950 in 2017. Bakers made an average annual salary of $27,920 in that same year.

Job Outlook

Bakeries and pastry shops are typically the most common types of work environments for cake decorators. Catering companies and restaurants might also hire cake decorators. These professionals aren’t just limited to working for existing businesses, however. Experience and talented cake decorators also have the option of opening their own businesses. For instance, well-rounded professionals may choose to open their own bakeries and specialize in cake decorating. Cake decorators can also run their own cake decorating businesses from their own homes as well.

Related Careers in Culinary Arts

Consider these related careers in Culinary Arts.