Just Starting Out.
Decorating By CourtneysCustomCakes Updated 1 Jul 2007 , 6:40am by CourtneysCustomCakes
I am just starting out here. I really love this site.
I was wondering though If anyone had any suggestions on where to start. For example the best places to buy bulk, To get not so normal ingredents ie: almond immersion, High Ratio, Luster dust Etc....
I just buy what I can when it is on sale at the store. I know I have to get my Cosco membership going again ( but do they really have what I need?)
What are the top things that I should always have on hand?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
C 
Flavoring products:
www.nationalflavors.com
Hi-ratio shortening:
Gordon Food Service
http://www.thebakerskitchen.com/BAKEWARE_SHOPPE/Baking_Ingredients/Food_Items/Buttercream_&_Shortenings/ready-made_buttercream_&_shortenings.htm
Cakeboards and packaging:
Sam's Club
http://www.brpboxshop.com/index.html
For 6x sugar:
Gordon Food Service
Rich's Bettercreme:
Sam's Club (Ready to Use in buckets.)
Gordon Food Service - 1 qt. frozen liquid (You whip.)
http://tinyurl.com/238rx2
(Frozen from sugarcraft.com - Also sell chocolate.)
Buttercream Frosting:
Sam's Club in buckets.
Lustre Dust:
Cake Central
HTH
I find most of my baking supplies at Sam's Club, but the stores are different from state to state. Sometimes they will let you check it out before you get a membership, that way you can see which store ( either Sam's or Costco) has most of what you need. I also order some items from my local cake decorating store. If you have a favorite close to you, build a relationship with the employees/owners and they will get you what you need if they are able to. I order cake flour and dutch process cocoa powder from amazon.com.
Thank you for the input. I'll keep all of this in mind.
Yes, you can order from National Flavors over the phone. Call and they'll send you a brochure.
(They're really inexpensive, prices vary but some of the quarts are around $6 each and they offer free shipping w/$45.00 purchase.
Here are some threads with products purchased (and prices) and comments on quality:
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-182341-.html
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-263273-.html
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-238741-.html
HTH
Welcome Courtney! I'm Courtney too and it's funny because I almost was going to use the name "Courtney's Custom Cakes" for my cake business too, LOL!
You should definitely look into finding a bakery supply store in your area or a restaurant supply store. The one near me has pretty reasonable prices on Satin Ice, high ratio...etc and a small showroom with some cake supplies. I also order a lot of stuff online.
Courtney
Thank You mamacc It's really funny because I almost used that name. Really wierd. anyways Thank You for your info. I'll look into it. I'm in a really small area so I think I'll have to get most of it on line. I am so darn internet illiterate that I hope I can figure it out.
Thanks again
That is funny! So you are aren't using that as your business name? I really wanted Courtneyscakes.com but someone is Minnesota already has taken it! Darn it! And they don't even really have anything on their website....
You will become plenty internet literate if you stick around here! I've found out about a lot of good websites from people on cake central. So far I really like countrykitchensa.com and beryls.com. Prices and stock vary so much from store to store! I like to buy madagascar vanilla in 32 oz size from escofoods.com and their prices are great! They also have almond extract.
Courtney
I am using Courtneys Custom Cakes as my Business Name. I thought it was different. My DH Is a Custom Car Guy so I thought Custom Cakes Fit. Plus I don't like to do the normal I try to do things as different (not wild or crazy) as I possibly can. I don't like to use Character pans. or edible art (Like the chain bakerys do) I pride myself on the fact that if people can't find what they are looking for then I can usually make it. ie: Characters, themes, etc..... I've been Decorating cakes for about 8 years. But I taught myself almost everything I know. So it's been slow going. Now I'm getting my name out there by word of mouth and people seem to like what I do because they keep coming back.
Sorry for such a long answer. Tell me more about you if you'd like.
I am using Courtneys Custom Cakes as my Business Name. I thought it was different. My DH Is a Custom Car Guy so I thought Custom Cakes Fit. Plus I don't like to do the normal I try to do things as different (not wild or crazy) as I possibly can. I don't like to use Character pans. or edible art (Like the chain bakerys do) I pride myself on the fact that if people can't find what they are looking for then I can usually make it. ie: Characters, themes, etc..... I've been Decorating cakes for about 8 years. But I taught myself almost everything I know. So it's been slow going. Now I'm getting my name out there by word of mouth and people seem to like what I do because they keep coming back.
Sorry for such a long answer. Tell me more about you if you'd like.
Yeah, I really did like the name Courtney's Custom Cakes but my DH didn't so we ended up with Courtney's Cake Company which I'm still so-so about. I like how you coordinated your cake name with your dh's business name. That's a great idea! Do you do cakes at home or have a shop?
I also like to do unique cakes and am finding myself doing a lot of 3D cakes. It's been a little slow going for me too because I started about 6 years ago in VT, and then we moved and I had to start all over again. I'm just now starting to get quite a few new customers and getting my name out there again. Don't have a shop or legal kitchen yet, but I'm looking into it for when my baby girl gets a little older.
Courtney
I have 4 little ones. My youngest isn't in school yet that is why I think this is a good career choice, I can work around their schedule. I actually am home based. I was at a shop as well for a little while, but I think being home will be better in the long run, I can work at my own pace. Here the rules aren't too strict for cake decorating at home. They don't look at it like a regular restraunt.
I am just doing my first 3D cake. It is a train. I've never carved before so it is kind of nerve racking. The cake was for tomorrow but my client called yesterday to pospone. I think I just got a reprieve. (Sigh of relief) Now I have the cake I started for a practice run. I consider my self too much of a perfectionist when it comes to cakes. I drive my self crazy.
Oh well if it turns out good in the end than i guess it's all good huh?
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