I'm considering starting a cake decorating business, but am struggling a bit with this issue. Are there many men out there doing it, besides Duff? If so, how do you handle it-make only macho cakes ? It's tough sometimes being the only guy in the Wilton class. Would love any input, suggestions, advice. Thanks

I think its great...welcome to cake central....and make sure you post pictures of some macho cakes (but I dont think you only have to do those)!

Hi Danc, I'm not a man, but I stay in Florida and there are many manly men that own thier own bakery, and the ones that don't have thier own they are very much married and enjoy what they do... So if you enjoy what you do don't worry about what one might say.. Good look with your endeavor.

Do what you love and don't worry about what anyone else thinks!

Besides, it's twice as awesome when a guy makes a beautiful "girly" cake!

Follow your dream!!
Of course manly men can be bakers/decorators. Some of the best are.
Hope we will get to see some of your wonderful cakes.
GOOD LUCK!!!

Lots of famous chefs, including pastry chefs, are men. Look at Ron Ben Israel....not that he's Arnold Schwarzenegger, but he's a guy. And he rocks!

So go for it. You'll be the one laughing all the way to the bank. Good luck to you.

I see lots of men taking the Wiltton classes at my store. I took them and love it. If you enjoy it do what you want to do.

When I did my pastry course. Most of the course was guys. And when it came to the cake decorating part. Most of the guys made flowers and the most beautiful cakes. So if you are loving who cares what others think. Just because you are a guy has nothing to do with the type of cake you should do.

Don't let what you're "supposed" to do run your life.
My father hates to admit it and hardly ever does anything with it but he likes to mold candy and do some decorating because it doesn't fit in with the whole retired tanker image in his mind. It's really sad to see.
My boys love to watch me decorate and try to do stuff on their own, they also like to play on dirt bikes and shoot guns. We aren't telling them that cooking is a girl thing because we don't want them to think that.
And make the "girly" cakes without worry, some of the best designers are men.

Sure there are manly men cake decorators! I had a US Marine in my Wilton class - and he was definitely manly! And I had another man in my class who was making his wedding cake.

Go for it! If you love what you do, it'll show and you'll be successful.

I was reading this out loud with my husband in the room, and he wanted to give his "manly" view on it:

You can't look at it from a purely image standpoint, but more from a business standpoint. It all depends on what the demand is with your customers (and of course what you enjoy doing)..."if they want prissy cakes, make prissy cakes, if they want macho cakes, make macho cakes" (LOL).


My view is, if everyone worried what everyone else thought, no one would be getting anywhere fast! You do with your life what YOU want to do, and if and when someone makes a comment relating to some preconcieved stereotype...jam a chunkful of your cake in their mouth. That will change their mind! (and you know what you say, women LOVE a man that can cook..just think of what they would think of a man that could bake! )

WELCOME to CC.

Jennifer

You go for it DanC!

Let me tell you, coming from a womens point of view, it's actually a very manly thing to do. Show your talents no matter what! Don't ever be afraid to persue what YOU want to do, regardless of what others think or say.

I'd love to see some "man" theme cakes. My well is running dry on new ideas. Good Luck, K'ly ^,,^

I say go for it!! I know there are even couples that decorate together.
Cake decorating is an art. Most artists are men. Think of it that way. The cake is your canvas.

there are totally manly men who make cakes!!! My friend Dellie in Atlanta is one and several others come to mind. HEY Party Art Crew!!! a man baker has lots goingfor him! cute white uniform and can bring you sweets- its a girls dream come true!!! Don't worry about what others think, if you want to decorate cakes go for it!

Wow!
Thanks so much for such a great response. That support does help me alot. I also didn't mention that I'm a stay-at-home dad (wife teaches) with 3 little ones, all age 4 and under-quite the role reversal, eh?

My dh is as much of our decorating business as I am. Probably more. He has a great eye for color and fantastic ideas for decorations. He's so proud of our cakes. They all know he's the creative mind behind our cakes and he loves it. Do what you love and don't worry what other people think.

Dan,
In my area, there are many men who own bakeries and decorate cakes. On one of the Food Network shows (Recipe for Success?) there was a man who was an engineer or architect and quit his job. He is a stay-at-home dad and does cakes. His cakes are beautiful. Maybe someone can help me here on this fellow. Anyway, go for it if it's what you like to do.

I just wanted to say that while my own hubby says cake decorating is "my" hobby I know that he really enjoys getting in the process of it too .. always telling me what would look "sharp" and what not .. and I am talking about a man who can name every player on every football team and every position they play ... a MANLY man haha

Most women have discovered that men are good with their hands! This includes cakes! Cake decorating is an artistic endeavor, and I believe that there have been thousands (millions?) of male artisits throughout history. If you don't like the term "cake decorator," then use "cake artist." A fellow teacher I work with used to be a mechanic/gas station owner and decorated cakes as a hobby. He won first place at the local fair! He's very manly. In this day and age, no one cares about gender--they want talent/results. Please, don't give this a second thought. Follow your passion!!!

my husband is a retired early from GTE (he was engineer). Got bored at home worked a few years as an electrician, now works driving heavy equipment, is volunteer fireman, lifts weights, has a Raider shield tatooed on his back and is about as manly as can be (farts and everything!) He is better at flowers than I am. I wanted to take a Wilton class and they didn't have enough students to start one. Teacher told me if I could find 2 other people to take the class she would hold one. I begged my husband and gave my sister the class and kit for christmas. Needless to say they were both better than I was!!! He really enjoyed the classes and would run all over town (small town) showing every one his cakes. He was so proud. The fireman started calling him Betty Crocker. He makes birthday cakes for his kids and I make for mine (blended family). Anyway this is 2006 anyone can be anything they want. Go for it and have fun. It is a manly thing to do.

Welcome Dan, I know a man that makes beautiful wedding cakes and a variety of cakes and other goodies. I was really surprised when I saw his work and his cakes taste great.

I would say if a man can cook up a good meal why not decorate cakes. Go for it!

DanC, it is more "manly" DOING something that you enjoy than standing on the sidelines looking and wishing you can join it. Go for it! You will even have a better edge on what the men would really enjoy. I always find that hard for me because I'm use to doing very girly things (I have 2 toddler girls). Good luck and have fun. Who cares what other people think!!

Dan, welcome to CC! Everyone else has already said basically the same thing, just do it! If you love it and enjoy decorating, then go for it. Also, this website is great. If you ever have a question about something, somebody has probably gone through the same thing and can help you through. Everyone is so helpful and friendly!

Welcome to CC, DanC!! I absolutely think you should go for it!!! Sure, cake decorating may traditionally be a "woman's" art, but that makes the men who do it that much more special!!! I'm in nursing school right now, and I'm sure you know that the nursing field is historically dominated by women. Well, I love all of the male nurses I've met as well as the male nursing students in the program with me. They are some of the nicest men I've ever met, and many of them are very manly men. My husband is actually better at icing cakes than I am. He does an amazing job with that, and I love that he likes to help me. So, good luck with it and don't let anyone talk you out of what you want to do!!!

Welcome, DanC!

You know, there are THREE manly men I can think of RIGHT NOW on CC!
And all three of their names START WITH A "D!"

Dale (I think he's another law officer!)
DOUG (Our resident all around "idea guy," and "cake engineer!)
and now...DAN C!

If you enjoy the cake decorating, do it! It's just like painting a car or whatever--it's just MORE DELICIOUS!

Again, WELCOME!

--Knox--

Hey Dan, If you enjoy it, do it !!. I'm a guy, married, father of 2 grown children, A full time over the road truck driver, and retired race car driver. ( I guess that qaulifies for manly,lol) I took all the wiltons courses back in the late 80's then went back and took them again with my wife earlier this year. I was the only guy in the class the first time, and the only one to finish this last time. I had the same instructor both times, According to her, I was one of the best decoraters she's had, which made me feel good because i always give my best effort at whatever i do. I actually find it a good way to relax after a lousy week on the road. Every now and then, i might hear a wise comment fron someone at work, but i've always been pretty quick with responses to make them look like they wished they hadn't said anything at all. If you want to do it and enjoy it then go for it

Thank you all again for such thoughtful responses and for taking the time. I've posted messages before on different boards on a variety of topics, and I don't think I've ever gotten such a big, and fast response that was so very helpful. This was just the boost I was needing.
This is quite a group.