OK, here's the situation. A couple of months ago I sold a couple of character pans on Ebay to a local woman who came to my house to collect them. We had a conversation, and she told me she was looking to get into the cake decorating business, and did I teach people (no I don't, sorry but I learned the hard way (trail & error for years) - so can she!).
Anyhoo, it turned out that this woman is the upstairs neighbour of my ballroom dancing partner, from whom I had to listen about what a brilliant pastry chef she is (good for her). I made him a cake this week to say thanks for partnering me for the last 6 months:
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_419213.html
I got an email back from him saying that the cake was really delicious and he was thrilled with the design etc. (he showed it to everybody he could at the practice dance on Saturday night - and like I fool I didn't have my business cards with me!). He also told me that the neighbour came down and tried my cake and 'approved' 
! Then she apparently started to spout out what, in her professional opinion, she thought the ingredients in the cake were - she was sure marscapone for the filling (wrong!). I just get the feeling that she is asking questions through my dance partner so she can get my tricks and secrets 
! Anyway, I replied to him that she can stop trying to guess what's in my cakes, because I've worked long and hard to perfect the recipes and tricks I use, and I'm not about to give away my trade secrets to anyone!
Is that being a total b*tch?! I actually feel bad about my dance partner being used as a go-between information gatherer more than anything!
KIDDING!!! I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist responding w/ just a "yes." You are perfectly within your rights to not share how you make your cakes. Coca Cola does not share their recipe and hey, they too, started out small. 
Don't give any info and don't worry about your partner...he is the one who chose to get involved...not you. 
Cupcake mom - I was speechless! You got me this morning.
I agree - it does totally depend on how you say you are not sharing your secrets. As long as you do it in a friendly manner, you are fine!
The cake is wonderful. I love it!
Well, in reply to my dance partner's email I said:
"I'm going to keep ****** guessing what is in my cakes hahaha - she probably never will though, all my cakes and icings are made from recipes that I've worked long and hard to develop and perfect (and I'm not about to give away my trade secrets!). There was no marscapone in that cake though!"
Was that mean? I didn't mean it to be if it is, but I suppose it's all in the interpretation of the reader (like all written things!).
I agree that it is you perogative if you wish to trade your secrets or not afterall you are the one that did the experimenting and used your time and money (ingredients) to perfec it. However if it were me I would just ignore the comments and when the dance partner would say that she said so and so I would just say something like "Oh well thats her opinion" or if she is trying to guess at your ingredients "Well I'll never tell" lol or something similar that way your not committing yourself to an answer either way and maybe she'll get the hint that you are not interested in discussing your business with her. By the way your cake is gorgeous and sounds delicious.
I don't think what you said was mean, but if she does take it that way....too bad for her! She is the one who, as a supposed "professional", couldn't just leave it alone that you didn't want to share your recipes, now she's being catty about it. I say that makes her the b*tch.
As far as your partner goes, I agree with thecupcakemom, he's the one who chose to involve himself. AND he got a spectacular cake for a gift--don't worry too much about him! lol
thecupcakemom...I was in AWE when I just saw "yes" under that story! I nearly spit my coffee out when I scrolled down and saw you say that you were just kidding! LOL Fun fun!
Yes.
LOL!!!!!!! My jaw DROPPED when I saw this response. Toooooo dang funny! I agree with everyone else. You are totally within your rights and I would be irritated too. I can not stand pushy nosey round about people. Drives me NUTS!! Great cake. Where did you get that sparkle dust. Mine definately doesn't sparkle like that! Yours is like a freakin disco ball!
B**ch is good. I should know - I am an expert - I was consulted when they wrote the manual. What, you didn't read my introduction? You skiped right to chapter 1, didn't you?
And yes, she is jealous of, and feels threatened by, your talent. And yes, she is using your dance partner to intimidate you, which will eventually cause problems between the two of you. And yes, you would be better off not baking anything for your partner anymore, unless it is small enough to be completely consumed at the dance hall. No leftovers, no samples for her to try and analyze.
Theresa 
Yes.
LOL, so funny!!
I agree you do have every right to keep your business to yourself. Im sure that we all have a little something that we keep to ourselves. Dont worry about it. I would have acted the same as you.
Where did you get that sparkle dust . Mine definately doesn't sparkle like that! Yours is like a freakin disco ball!
Don't you just LOVE it! Not a cake leaves this house without some ! I buy mine here:
www.design-a-cake.co.uk
Search under disco sparkles by Edable Art. See - for my CC chums, I'm quite happy to share - 99.999999% are not my direct competition 
Damn, I was going to ask for the filling recipe after reading your initial post!!
Your cake is wonderful..great job.
cindy
As I said in response to the sparkles question - my CC buddies are a different thing altogether! The recipe is very simple - I just used orange extract in place of the vanilla (or whatever you usually use), and replaced half the liquid with orange juice, and the other half with Grand Marnier. BUT, please use ALL butter in the buttercream (which should be fine for a filling - even in hot weather!), and add 1/4 tsp salt for every stick of butter you use - you will thank me for the fabulous taste if you do!
And yes, you would be better off not baking anything for your partner anymore, unless it is small enough to be completely consumed at the dance hall. No leftovers, no samples for her to try and analyze.
Oooh, potential problem there - I've agreed to make my dance partner's grandson's first birthday cake in June! Whilst you may think that's a reason for her to get her feather's ruffled, she is doing his other son's wedding cake next year (although I was told that if he'd known I did cakes earlier - I would have been the preferred choice 
!).
Will she be invited? If not, then I do not see a problem there. And if she is, then so be it. Hopefully, you will be there, also, and you can set her straight.
Theresa
Thanks for sharing the recipe! I can't wait to try it!!!!!!! 
I will think of your inquisitive neighbor when I do
I agree, you do not have to share your recipes with anyone you don't want to. I think that we're all glad that you shared with us though!!
I think you should still make the cake for your dance partner's grandson. If the neighbor is there, and is asking for recipes, tell her kindly that you've worked very hard to perfect your recipes and you'd like to keep them just that - YOUR recipes.
I have to ask, how many of her recipes has she given you??
If she a supposed to be a professional in the food industry she should be used to people keeping their secret recipses well a secret. As long as you say it in a nice way you are fine. You could also try my grandmother trick when people got pushy about recipes: give them the wrong recipe. That way yours will always be better. People will get the hint that way.
I agree that you shouldn't share your secrets if you don't want to. I don't--I figure I worked hard to get them perfected and someone else needs to work just as hard. I learned so much through the process and wouldn't want to rob them of the same opportunity.
I am sorry, but I don't really get all the fuss??? I am not trying to be rude, so please don't be offended. From what I read, which is all I can go by, I don't see this woman as being "jealous" or shady. If she truly is a pastry chef I really doubt she needs help or recipes on the cooking aspect of doing cakes. She asked you for help on decorating right? Not cooking or recipes?
She did something that I do very often out of fun, not out of foul or to steal recipes, etc. I am a foodie and have a love for cooking and baking. I always try to guess ingredients in a dish that I eat. It's fun for me, lol. If she is a pastry chef I am sure she is also very passionate about food. She could have just been trying to show off her "tasting skills". You never know that is all she could have been doing.
Yes indeed again...you guys have got me crackin' the freak up tonight! Everyone's feeling a bit feisty and frisky all at the same time! I did a total, "wait....huh???? WHAT???? at cupcake mom! Keep your secrets to yourself and everyone keep them hits a rollin'!
Considering that she thinks you used Mascarpone Cheese....I wouldn't worry about her EVER guessing what is in your cakes! 
I'd like to see her re-create your cake (which sounds absolutely yummy) using mascarpone cheese...I don't think she would get anywhere close.
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