i just wanted to knwo about how you all felt deal with this. I enter my cakes in competitions and afterwards i have local decorators ask, "how did you do that" what kind of recipe did you use for this?" where did you buy that mold?"
i just don't know if i should tell them or not. so i've been stalling.
on one hand, without the help of all you people on cake mSG boards ETC sharing info... i would be where i am... but on the other hand i am a business women..
how do you all feel???

thanks

I am also torn on this question too. I am more likely to tell how I did something than to share a recipe. Just remember that if you tell someone how you did something, no one will ever do it exactly like you. That's what makes us all unique. Now as far as recipes, I'm with you that I am a business woman. You can't go into a fancy restaurant and ask them for their wonderful cheescake recipe. So why should you have to share yours? That may sound mean but that's just how I look at it. I'm sure others disagree.

They might not have the talent and the time it requires to do the great work you do. They might just be curious. I hope I get to the point where I can do some really original work, but until then, I get inspiration and recipes from books and pictures and other artists.

Really if most people could do what you do, they'd already be doin' it. Also, A lot of people can't or won't invest in the tools or take the time to try a dozen recipes til they find the right one. Anyone can get the recipe for IMBC but not very many are willing to cook the syrup, whip the eggwhites and buy 20 lbs of Butter from Costco like I do.

I'm 1 of 7 kids so I'm really competitive. When I do a cake, I feel like I am happy with it, but I'm happier if it's better than someone else's cake. I try to keep it in check.

Also, at cake competitions, the judges have pretty much seen it all. Points are awarded for originality of the design.

By the time someone else catches up to you, you will already have moved on and moved up to the next cool thing in cakes.

the home cake decorators are very close to each other in my area...as a matter of fact, there is a home based cake decorator in my area who has been doing it for years and she has been a great deal of help and encouragment for me, as well as sends people my way when she is overbooked. I know business comes first, but man, there is plenty to go around!

But I agree, don't share recipes if you don't want to, but sharing a technique or two or a resource I don't think hurts anything..does it?

I wouldn't share my personal recipes. They are something that sets you aside and you had to work to find the ones that worked best for you. Now if they are asking if you used royal or buttercream to do something, then I don't think it would hurt to tell them the basic type of recipe with out giving them the recipe.

As far as things you do, we all have learned from somewhere. Most of us use the internet and books for ideas and how to's, as well as classes. So unless it is something that is completely orginal to you, you would just be passing on something you have learned from others.

Now that doesn't mean you have to sit down and take them step by step by step on how to do it. You can always give them the gist of the idea or tell them where you learned about it. After all most of the things we do are buy trial and error, so let them do some trial and error as well.

I have to tell you, I give out recipes all the time, and people always seem to be willing to give me theirs as well! I'm agreeing with Loriemoms on this topic as well! I'm 2 streets away from a really great decorator and we share all the time! Boards, ribbon, foil, and books are constantly going back and forth between us! We buy our boxes in bulk from the local paper supply company and split it (who needs their own case of 500 8-inch circles?). We also refer customers to each other - and some of them are dead set on liking certain things the other does and we know what they need! Icing recipes and all! it really is a blessing, and we know how nice it is to have others who know how to talk cake around!

The Bar Mitzvah cake in my photos needed "something" and after I took the picture my friend stopped by and I asked her what it needed. She ran home and got her matching blue ribbon and we put a nice bow on the right front corner...it really balanced out the orange and MADE the cake. having someone to share with is the best!

I can't wait until I have some secrets!!

Danifani, I'm sure you've got some! Love your Batman cake!

I dont mind sharing a technique, but a good percentage of my recipes are from my family and I dont share those simply because it is a part of how I came to start baking and it's semtimental. I dont think anyone would appreciate them as much as I would so I dont give them out. I simply tell people that they are part of my trade secret.