Has anyone taking the classes. How was it? I hear good and bad things I just want to people experience. Im getting ready to start my sides bussiness of selling cakes I taught myself im just thinking of taking a class see what im missing

i think it depends on the teacher. i took the classes and i loved them!! granted some of the things i already knew but there is always something new to learn.

I do think they can be worth it. For me it was a way to get my feet wet, learn some basics and then go from there. Our teacher was very good. Been teaching Wilton classes for years and has her own small business. She was willing to give advice and discuss non Wilton ways/products as well.

My teacher wasn't good at all. I was thinking the same thing as you I already taught myself a lot at that point and just thought I could learn something new. It was a waste of money. I already knew how to do everything she was teaching and her technique was amateur. It really depends on the teacher you should go to Michael's where someone has already had a class and could tell you first hand how the teacher.

If you made the cake in your avatar photo, you probably don't need the Wilton classes.

I am a huge advocate of attending the classes (that's how I began with zero skills), but they are definitely for beginners, not medium to advanced cake decorators.

You would be better served to seek out a Cake Club in your geographic area. The best place to research the location would be to contact the nearest specialty cake supply store or look through the ICES website:
http://ices.org/

Cake Clubs and/or ICES sponsored classes will offer the higher level of instruction that help you advance in the craft.

Here is a link to a thread I created after two years of cake decorating classes and conventions and hundreds of hours online. The information will go from the very basic (first time making a level cake), to links for medium to advanced techniques.
http://www.wilton.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=8&threadid=160184
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On the other hand, if you are considering starting a side business, you WILL need to prepare a business plan and do research on pricing, contracts, etc.
CakeBoss offers superb software and the internet will have a lot of sites regarding how to prepare a business plan. (CakeBoss offers a discount to CC forum members.)

http://www.cakeboss.com/PricingGuideline.aspx

http://articles.bplans.com/writing-a-business-plan

I got a lot from the classes, but I'm sure it was because of my teacher. I was a bit more advanced than the other people in the class and the first class didn't teach me much. My teacher talked a lot with me about more advanced stuff too and she even gave me a private class rather than cancelling when no one else signed up for level 3. I think I got my money's worth despite not being a complete novice when I started. That said, I'm sure it could go either way if they teacher isn't as good.

Four years ago, I took all of the Wilton cake decorating classes offered at Michael's; this was before the revamped classes. I also had ZERO experience docrating a cake, although I've been baking for years. While I've moved far beyond that skill level, and a lot of what I learned has absolutely no relevance to the cakes I make now, just as much, if not more of what I learned is applied to EVERY SINGLE cake I make.

I took all three classes 12 years ago. I think it is well worth the money. If you have a Michael's crafts you can take the classes for about 20.00. Sometimes they have specials where you can buy one get one free or take a friend. I halved the fee with another lady in one of my classes so the last class cost us 10.00. They give you a certificate after you finish each class I still have mine. If you want to learn and not pay a fortune and have two days a week and spare time then I suggest investing in the classes.

It really depends on your instructor. I enjoyed the 3/4 of the courses. In course 3 I had a falling out with the instructor that forced me to talk to the manager of the local Micheal's. It turned out I wasn't the only person having issues with her.

I agree it all depends on the instructor. I took 3 out of 4 classes and LOVED every single one. I'm thinking on doing class 4 now since I want to get advance with gum paste and fondant :0)

If you do decide to take any classes just remember...have fun!

I plan on taking the missing course with another teacher at the same store and she is amazing at what she teaches.