I have never heard of it but would be interested in finding out more. Do any of you NJ girls know anything about any cake shows or good classes other than Wilton in the NJ area? If there is no cake club in NJ we should try to get one up and running to share ideas.
dont know about the club but every year there is something in atlantic city. the guy i work with is the IT guy for all teh computer equipment for the judges and is going to send me the information becuase his sister runs it. i will let you girls know. just pm me to remind me. he said its usually in October so closer to then just drop me a line
The even tin Atlantic City is only for professional bakers/bakeries, so I was not able to register.
If you are in the area, there are three that I can tell you of:
Ocean County College does some great classes.
Also check with your township recreation dept - I know that here in Jackson they do some one night classes.
Last, most vocational schools now have a culinary program and they also offer one night courses.
Good Luck! 
Tricia, I am in Ocean County too - does Ocean Vo-Tech have any good classes? I forgot to look when the last adult school brochure came out. If I remember right, their Brick campus has the kitchens. Wouldn't it be great to do somthing right in our own county?
deb
Tricia, just went on the OVTC website and the only thing close to baking career program is:
Culinary Arts Careers (Tech-Prep)
(2 years / 900 hours)
This Tech Prep program provides students with experience in the preparation, service and management tasks involved in the food service industry. Areas of concentration include safety, sanitation, food preparation, advanced food preparation, commercial baking, advanced baking, dining room service and management. Students will also gain practical experience by operating a dining and banquet facility. Tech Prep agreements with the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College, Johnson & Wales University and Brookdale Community College have been established to give our culinary graduates an opportunity to earn advanced college credits while enrolled in this program.
Would have to be seriously wanting to open a bakery/catering business to justify going into such an intensive program.......would have to quit work! LOL!!! Hoping they come up with a course in their adult nite program next fall as it is too late for the spring semester.
deb
Hi ladies,
I just wanted to add a few things.
Yes, we should do something about starting our own cake club! I'm very interested. I'm in South Jersey ( Cherry Hill). Who else is interested?
The AC show, which I did attend, was not at all strict about the professional status required for attendance. I know many people who attended merely under the classification "chef", so next time, don't be afraid to register!
Re the OCVT program: I attended a 3 year, 6000 hour program in PA, where I am originally from. Most vo tec programs are modeled after the American Culinary Federation apprenticeship program, with a combination of classroom work and OTJ experience. It is a huge time committment. I was required to work full time in the industry and attend classes 2 days a week. At that stage, you are only eligible for entry leve jobs and I left my $12 and hour job ( in '9
for a $6 an hour kitchen b*tch position. Talk about struggling to make ends meet!
I would never say that school is a bad thing, because I found the experience invaluable. However, if you are a working adult, it is very difficult to manage and the burden of your education in these programs falls into your employers lap. You will really only be as good as the shop you work in. I graduated with people who did little more than peel fruit, bag rolls and ice cupcakes for the entire 3 years because of where they were placed to work.
I'm not saying don't spend your money, but the "sanitation" is the ServSafe program, which you can take by itself all over the state. The managment is also available independently, as is nutrition. As an ACF chef, I am required to hold and renew all three of these certificates every three years, which I do in one day online for about $100 each.
I am in the process of going legit and there is no loophole in the law that will let us bake at home. Separate kitchen with separate entrance, or no dice, no exception. Food doesn't fall under cottage industry laws. Boo, Hiss! I am exploring the church kitchen route now until I can afford to build on to my home.
Grrrr..why do they make it so hard?! I even wear hairnets in my own kitchen at home when I bake for friends and family. I would eat off of my own kitchen floor. I have no pets and I'm a clean freak. I have worked in bakeries where I wouldnt eat a thing that came out of that kitchen. If I had the resources to start up on my own today, I would. Sigh....I'll keep saving my pennies.
Sugarplum: i live right near cherry hill. When you find out about the church rental thing PLEASEEEE let me know. i have a church that could really use the money i would pay to rent the kitchen but need to know if it would be sufficient.
anyone else in the cherry hill area? we can start our own club!
I am not in Cherry Hill, but in Randolph (which i near Morristown) and would certainly be interested in a cake club or ANYTHING really. I have looked around for classes other than Wilton and can't find anything at the vocational schools around here unless I am in high school - and I certainly can't pass for a HS stuent anymore! Thanks for sharing about the OCVT program Sugarplum. I was looking into the school in NYC and wondered about it all.
If anybody is in my area, please let m know!
No problem! Glad to share.
Swingme83, if you're interested, since you're close, you are more than willing to hang out with me when I do my freelance stuff. I teach classes in the area for recreational programs at libraries, children's groups and kid's birthday parties every now and then. (nothing complicated, very basic decorating and fondant techniques).
I will definitely keep you updated about the kitchen situation. I'm having a hard time finding a church that will go for it, since it really is an unusual request. "We have a hall with a kitchen for rent, but you only want to rent the kitchen? Huh????" 
If you know of one that is interested, I'd love to explore that too. Who knows, if both of us are asking, maybe it will peak the interest and we can both rent.
Good luck all!
Sharon
saberger- I am in Springfield which is not that far from Randolph....
I found my contact info for the NJ Confectionary Arts Guild Contact:
President- Robin Guinta 732-388-3867
[email protected]
$30 year for dues- you can mail to
Confectionary Arts Guild
PO Box 339
Garwood, NJ 07027-0339
Next meeting DOS is October 14 with Julie Bashore. Everyone is welcome (from NJ, NY, PA, etc.)
Here is a link to Julie's website
http://www.houseofclarendon.com/
Hope to see some new members! PM me if you have any questons, etc or if you sign up so I will recoginze you and you will have a friendly face in the crowd.
SugarplumStudio and Swingme83, I am also real close to Cherry Hill (10 mins away).
If you are starting a NJ cake club, I would love to join as well.
Best wishes to all.
saberger - I am in Parsippany, not far from you at all..I was afraid all Jersey CCers were in South Jersey!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%