I'm considering going to the Master Wilton 2 week course near Chicago in the summer. Has anyone else been? If so, any advice?

I would love to go to a pastry school that specializes in wedding cake design, but afraid to take the jump -- quit my teaching position, no income for 6 months, and about $40K in student loan fees with the current economy. I am just not satisfied or happy teaching high school business anymore. I think I've become obsessed with wanting to pursue this pastry route...

Scare jump! I can't help you here just tell you that whatever you decide God bless you and prosper you, and my honest opinion, if you do what you like, even if it costs you, you won't regret it at the end of the road, if you don't do what you like, there will always be the: What if?

I'm curious as to the answer too, Polkadot, because I have also been considering the Master course and am in need of a career change. I thought HR was wanted I wanted 15 years ago . . . today, notsomuch. But it is scary leaving an established career to start all over again.

I did the course in 07. It is very intensive but you learn a lot in the two weeks. I am not sure if it is a magic bullet for a career change though. I still would recommend the course, it is great. The course is set up so that you can do extra evening classes and weekend classes too while you are there. Be prepared for sore hands and fingers, your piping muscles will get a serious workout.

I have been contemplating it too but somehow the ocurse discription sounds rather basic...I am sure with all the talented people who have found it invigorating it must be more than just wilton1,2,3...but somehow I can not decide if it is worth the herculean effort to go to chicago and spend 10 days there, the expense, the effort-is it really really worth it? I know alot of people have said it is totally worth it but there are others who think otherwise...help me decide too!!!!

Monkess, it is basically all the Wilton courses rolled into one, but I would think you probably learn a little more on top of that. We did lots of different flowers, lots and lots of different borders and some string work. The best part of it is that you are there for a long time so there is a lot of repetition so the information really sticks, and the tutors are the best of the best. The additional courses they offered while I was there was basic fondant and also a gumpaste class. There were some weekend classes too which I did not do. I did not do the fondant class, but it looked pretty basic. I did the gumpaste class which was OK, but I had done a class in the past with Colette Peters which was better.

Polkadot79,

The Notter Pastry School in Orlando, Florida also runs a 6 months pastry chef course which looks great. I have attended the school for a couple of Colette Peters classes and I liked it very much.

Polkadot79 God bless you and prosper you in whatever direction you choose to go.

BakingGirl-hmm...sounds familiar, I dunno it is a BIG BIG effort for me to go to the master course..locally we have very nice renowned cake artists who also offer classes; since I have already done all Wiltons then maybe I should do these instead, its a different methodolgy...

Anyone know of anyone interested in the June 1 - 12 course?

I'm still seriously contemplating it, but would love to find someone to room with for the almost 2 week stay.

this thread has been very interesting to read. I've always wanted to take the Master course. I've also always wanted to do baking/pastry for a living, but was always told "no" (ex-a**h**e, er, I mean husband). My current and last DH thinks it's fantabulous and I should completely make a career change. (Go me for being smart the 2nd time around, eh?) So yeah, I wanna the answer, too...

I would love to do that too.Too far for me and a bit pricey right now.

Have any of you thought about taking Earlene Moores class in June. Probably some of the same obsticals...the flight, hotel and about 4 days away. Shes a good decorator. I am having the same delimia and have asked everyone I can where to go locally to get the advanced techniques and haven't found anyplace. I've had all the Wilton ones several times with several different instructors....maily because I've had big gaps in decorating and Wilton classes are a relatively cheap way to brush up. Debbie

I attended the Wilton Master Course in April and loved it. It's very fast paced and very intense, but it's so much fun and you learn so much! The decorating techniques are explained very well, and you pick up on a LOT of little things that are so important. Your hands end up very sore. There are dummy cakes all over the facility and they have a great resource area with lots of inspiration.