Hi, I'm so glad to see this website! I find it very useful, for beginner cake decorator like me. I'm starting college next Monday, majoring in Culinary (AAS degree) and I'm looking forward to it. We will learn everything, but not like any Wilton cake deco classes. I found out my local Michael's craft store is offering Wilton classes, but I'm not sure if I should wait until I finish my degree (will finish this August) or take it now? My goal is to own a bakery business, but I would like to work for any bakery company or hotel/resturant to learn skills and gain experiences. I also like to create unique wedding cake as well as fun/unusal cakes. What should I start with?

I bet your going to be so busy w/ college you won't have a breath to spare for classes at Michaels.

and the college program will teach you everything you'd get a michaels and a whole lot more.

relax, enjoy your last quiet, restful, no stress weekend you're likely to have for a couple of years!

good luck w/ school.

As you mentioned you are a beginner..I went to California Culinary Academy In San Francisco in Pastry just for my personal satisfation..No business intentions. I don't really understand what your asking ? But, I would suggest start small..then work your way up..Baby Steps !! then see how you would handle it.

Keep practicing and experimenting..I would think that Culinary School would be better than Michael's

The Wilton classes are nice, but they are still pretty basic. It sets an environment for you to go somewhere and have supervised practice. You make batches of icing and go in and practice practice practice. Of course then you get to finish it off with a wonderful cake. If you are taking the professional course, they will hopefully be teaching you the right technique and you will of course be getting plenty of practice. I bet at the end of your AAS you won't feel like you have missed a thing not taking the Wilton classes, and if you have there is always room for more

Good luck on school, it will be a lot of work but well worth it.

Miah

You will be exhausted with your class so I recommend waiting. The culinary classes I took were geared toward a high production kitchen and cake decorating was a small portion of the overall pastry program. If you want to spend more time on the decorating, why not go over the summer or after you're finished. That's what one of my chefs advised us.

This site offers so many ideas you'll want to try them all so you may never get to go to the Wilton class.

Good luck and remember not to take the chef's criticisms personally. I learned more from the tougher teachers than the ones that were "nice". I still hear them when doing certain steps while baking at home.

Mary Ann

surfergina,

Congratulations on entering culinery school.

I would take the Wilton classes later on. Right now you will have your hands full starting school...don't want to tire yourself out to fast.

Good luck and keep us posted

Everyone, thank you so much for your advices! I'm sticking to where I am and will take Wilton cake class after that. Glad to "meet" the wonderful people here!

I'd wait on the Wilton classes. Focus on school now, then take the Wilton classes after you finish. The classes are pretty basic and usually just a way to get started, not really a way to become a professional decorator. I'd try and focus all my attention on school first. : )