Most people are simply not aware of the long and interesting history of cake decorating around the world. Cake decorating has a long and fascinating history as an edible art. Here is a brief overview of the evolution of cake decorating over the years. It is interesting to note how cake decorating, like most other things, is simply a reflection of the society and life of the people who developed it.

The Very Beginnings of Cake Decorating

Cake decorating has some very interesting roots. Cake decorating is actually one of the newer edible arts, especially when it is compared to other culinary arts. Cake decorating appears to have gotten its start back in the mid-17th century. It is probably no coincidence at all that this is the same time that cake pans first made their appearance in domestic kitchens across Northern Europe. At the beginning in the mid-17th century, cake decorating began to gain much popularity as a means to create elaborate desserts. These elaborate cake desserts were often used as displays during feasts and banquets. In most case, only the wealthiest aristocracy could afford to put on such confectionary displays. However, in most cases these were mainly used as decorative display pieces, and they were not eaten.

The 19th Century Brings Cake Decorating to the Masses

The history of cake decorating truly picked up steam at the start of the mid-19th century. During this period in history, the French began to serve the dessert as a separate sweet course and it began to be served at the very end of a complete meal. It was during this time that desserts, mostly in the form of confectionary treats and cakes, began to make their appearance on dessert and banquet tables across many parts of Europe.

The Advent of Temperature-Controlled Ovens Make Cake Decorating Possible

During the period of the 1840s, a new development in kitchen technology made cakes more popular and prominent than ever before. The temperature controlled oven emerged as an important piece of kitchen technology. This development made baking much more easy and convenient. It was during this period that cake baking became much more popular with those who had access to a temperature controlled oven.

The First Instances of Cake Decorating

During this early period in the history of widespread cake decorating, most cake decorating still consisted mainly of the old difficult English method. This method generally consisted of decorating with over piping. Cakes were most likely covered in rolled fondant. The borders would usually be very intricately over piped on the cake. There was another important development during this same period, and it had to do with the introduction of baking powder and baking soda. These, of course, are very important ingredients that revolutionized cooking and baking. These ingredients made it much easier to get the kind of dough consistency necessary in order to do widespread baking.

The 20th Century Brings the Wilton Method to Kitchens Everywhere

Around the year 1929, a new method began to be developed that would transform the way baking and cake decoration was accomplished. An American business known as Wilton Enterprises began to put on their own cake decorating classes. These classes were often advertised to chefs, caterers and other enterprising gourmands with a serious interest in cake decorating and baking. The Wilton’s, in 1947, began to promote their own line of cake decorating products and baking utensils. These made a big splash and had a big influence on how thousands of people began to decorate their cakes and approach their own personal baking. Eventually, the Wilton Method became the most accepted method for approaching cake decoration. However, in the 1980s, the company merged with another company. Today, there is no one accepted way bake and decorate a cake.

What is it about beautiful desserts that people gravitate towards? A beautiful-looking and delicious dessert is one of the great joys of any table. Do you find yourself drawn to beautiful desserts? Do you wish that you could learn how to create exquisite and gorgeous desserts to share with friends and family? If this sounds like a goal of yours, then you may be suited for a career in the edible pastry arts.

Why Choosing a Culinary Program in the Pastry Arts May Be the Right Choice for You

There are many culinary programs out there. One of the most popular programs in the culinary arts is training in the pastry or sugar arts. If you have a strong interest or passion in cake decorating, you may want to consider entering into a career in the pastry arts. When you are a cake decorator, you will learn how to blend different ingredients, including color and different flavors to create a unique culinary creation. You will also learn how to create various figures and shapes in order to create truly original cakes and desserts.

What You Will Learn as a Professional Cake Decorator

There are many other different important and unique skills that you will learn as a professional cake decorator. Skills that you can learn as a cake decorator include using sugar for molding, learning the fundamentals of baking cake, and you will even learn more about the physics of putting together a cake, including the physics of building cake towers and tiers. In many ways, getting formal training in order to become a professional cake decorator is a lot like getting formal training in the arts. You learn a lot about color theory, and you even learn how to sketch out your project ideas.

Other Important Skills That You Can Learn From a Professional Pastry Arts Program

There are various other important skills that you can also learn from a program in the pastry arts. You will learn, for example, how to use sugar for molding. You will also learn how to draw out your designs. Another important topic that you may not have considered is that you will learn a lot about finance. Many culinary pastry programs have a financial and enterprise aspect to them, where you can learn about the business aspect of setting up your own cake decorating shop or business. This can be invaluable if you are new to the idea of setting up your own cake decorating business.

What Sort of Coursework Can You Be Expected to Take in a Pastry Arts Program?

Perhaps you are wondering what your coursework would look like if you were to enter a pastry arts program. If you have a specific program in mind, either a local culinary academy or a nationally recognized institution, then you can contact them directly for information on their program requirements, admissions information, program specializations, etc. In general, however, you can expect your coursework to include specific classes dealing with torts and cakes, cake design, display cakes, confections, centerpieces, chocolate, concepts of cake design, theory of different culinary methods, fundamentals of baking and use of various cake decorating tools. As for the business aspect of cake decorating and design, you may be expected to take one or more class in business management, purchasing, finance and accounting, cost control and inventory control. Other coursework may focus on the safety and sanitation of professional cake design and decorating.

Your Career Options after Culinary School

What are your career options after finishing culinary school? There are various options, including setting up your own cake design business, or getting a position as a professional baker and cake decorator.

If you are interesting in learning the fundamentals of cake decorating at its best, the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art is perhaps where you ought to find yourself. The Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art is widely known as a Mecca of cake design and cake decorating. It has a long and prestigious history of turning out the most talented pastry chefs and cake decorating artists in North America. The Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art was established in Darien, Illinois in 1929 and ever since then, it has remained at the forefront of cake design in the United States. Here is a brief overview of the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art, and what you can do to become a part of this private school’s grand tradition in the American culinary arts.

General Admission Information for the Wilton School of Cake Decorating

The Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art has a flexible admissions policies. The admission policies for the Wilton school ask all prospective candidates to fulfill a basic set of instructions. All students must have average manual dexterity, be of average strength and have a basic understanding of the spoken English language. Students with a beginner’s knowledge of cake decoration are welcome. The school welcomes students with special needs but they must contact the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art before for a qualification interview and to make special accommodations.

Other Admissions Guideline for the Wilton School

Here are some of the other basic admissions guidelines for the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art. The school’s fees include tuition and registration fees. These fees vary according to course load and other circumstances, so check with the school for exact fees. The Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art operates on the philosophy that small class sizes work better because they allow students to get more individual attention and gain hands-on experience. Thus, class space is always limited at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art, so it is recommended that you sign up for classes early. There are registration fees that must be paid at the time of registration, and these are non-refundable.

Tuition Policies of the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art

The Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art has standard tuition policies. The final tuition payment is due three weeks before the first day of class. That is unless, of course, you have already paid your tuition in full. Be aware that if full payment is not received, your spot in class will not be held. Most classes have a waiting list, so make sure you pay your tuition as early as possible. The Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art accepts payment made by cashier’s check, cash, and money order or by credit card.

Course Policies at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art

The Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art also has a firm course policies. In general, expect to complete all projects during class time. Most courses offer no provisions for make-up classes. If you miss a class, be prepared to make arrangements to attend another session, but this is subject to instructor approval. Most classes will grade students on a pass or fail basis. Students who complete courses of 9 hours or more will receive a Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art certificate of course completion.

Course Cancellations

Although the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionary Art has a right to cancel any class, every effort will be made to inform students of cancellations. Students who notify the school of cancellations prior to the first day of class will be refunded their full tuition.

Cake decorating has currently become one of the most popular fields in the culinary arts. More and more people are expressing an interest in baking and cake decorating. Why has cake decorating become so very popular of late? Cake decorating has become popular because it combines a variety of different skills and interests. If you think about it, cake decorating encompasses a great variety of skills and talents, including design, color patterns, baking and sculpture. If you are interested in getting involved in cake design, here are some hints and tips that can help you get started.

Baking the Perfect Cake – Hints of the Newbie Decorator

Before you can get started with the fun of cake decorating, you will need, of course, to have a cake to decorate. If you have never before baked a cake, now is the perfect time to start. You may want to get started by baking a cake from a store bought box mix. These cake mixes are easy to work with—simply add oil, water and eggs—and if you follow the directions, the results are nearly almost always satisfactory. However, another possibility is that if you can make your own homemade cake from scratch. It is easier than ever to bake a cake from scratch. That is because it is easier than ever to get a hold on fresh ingredients. However, if it is your first time baking a cake from scratch, opt for the easiest recipe you can get your hands on.

Choosing the Right Kind of icing

You will also want to choose the right kind of icing when you are decorating your own cake. There are three basic kinds of icing that are available. These are known as icing consistencies. The three basic types of icing consistencies include soft icing, medium, and stiff. Chances are that, at least at the beginning, you will only be working with soft and medium icing. Soft can be thin and thus used to write on cakes. Soft icing can also be used to ice the entire cake. Medium icing is used for making decorative borders, scrolls and scrollwork. Medium consistency icing is strong enough to keep its shape, yet pliable enough to be spooned off the cake and eaten. The third basic icing consistency is stiff icing. Stiff icing is used for more elaborate means such as decorative flowers. The icing has to be stiff enough so that the flower (or other decoration) will hold its shape. Clearly, this type of icing is often too stiff to be eaten and is purely decorative.

Gathering the Right Kind of Cake Decorating Tools

If you are a cake decorating newbie, there is a good chance that you just don’t have the right kind of tools in your kitchen arsenal. It is now easier than ever to get access to the kinds of tools you need in order to decorate your cake the way it should be decorated. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to take care of this problem. The easiest way to go about gathering the essential tools for cake decorating is to gather the tools you need according to the project at hand. However, because of the popularity of cake decorating, there are also many nifty cake decorating tool kits available now that offer you all the basic essentials in one package. Essential cake decorating tips may include pastry bag, paper cones for decorating, different sized tips, piping bag and different-sized frosting spatulas.

Collect Books and Magazines to Inspire You

One of the most important things you will need is inspiration. Surround yourself with inspiring pictures and ideas so that your own cake decorating is sparked with ideas.