I'm just starting out and I get so worried that my cake won't taste good (even though I know it does) or if the person will like the look of the cake (even though my family tells me the cake looks good). Does everyone go thru this and will it go away or lessen as I get more experience?

It might lessen a little, but I still do it some after about 10 years of decorating. On the bright side, our obsessing is why we make a good product!

I always take a small piece of cake that I have cut to level off and and small bit of whatever icing I am using to do a taste test. If it doesn't taste good to me it won't go to the customer. HTH!

the feeling never goes away...but at some point you become confident and the thoughts and feelings go away a little quicker than the time before. If you don't hear anything...it's good news

I think when you stop worrying about the taste and look of the cake it's time to stop doing it - the stress keeps us motivated to do the best job possible

I can't think of a single cake that I haven't worried about. I am really hard on myself and SOOOO picky about my cakes..even the littlest mark will make me feel like a cake is not good enough. I'm working on it and it helps when I hear back from people that the cake was wonderful. But I don't think it will ever ever go away.

Cat

Well, "worry" in the sense that we want to make sure everything is done properly. Not "worry" in the sense of "omg what if they really really hate this!? "

I have someone coming to pick a cake up in about 1/2 hr and I am at that panicky oh what if they dont like it part so you are not alone

I worry about every petal of every rose I create, as I'm creating it. But that's why customers look at them with amazement and ask how long they will last if they save them...instead of just saying, "oh, cake." and slicing through them like it's, "just frosting."

As everyone has said, reasonable worry keeps you good at your game. Actors, athletes, teachers...the good ones...all feel this way.

you mean one can actually stop worrying about a cake?

Stop?? No. I've gained confidence, but have not stopped being a perfectionist, or from ahving one level of stress or another on each cake. As a matter of fact, I have a cake next weekend for a 40th that I've been anticipating. This person is expecting "bling" and I know that the stress level will will be highest come Thursday. I will not be able to breath calmly until it's delivered.

Sandy

Yes, I've gained confidence with experience, too, and each new cake is a little more fun, but if you ask me when I'll stop worrying about all this stuff, the answer is "in about three more cakes". Seventy-five cakes down the road, the answer will still be "in about three more cakes". Or else I'll be retired or dead.

It's so funny that you posted this tonight, because I was getting ready to post something asking almost the same thing! I'm also very new, and even though I'm excited that my skills are improving with each cake that I do, and I am continually learning new things through this site (thanks, everyone!) and through trial and error, there is always something on every cake that I wish I would have done differently.

My question is, for those of you with lots of experience, have you ever done a perfect cake? Or is every cake still a learning experience and a chance to build your skills for the next time?

Thanks for your input! It helps so much to have support in my new adventure.

I worry about every cake I send out the door. I'm just starting in the wedding business and I'm extremely paranoid about them all. That said, I'm learning to give myself a little bit of grace. I barely charge enough to cover my costs so whatever my customers get is a deal. But I do this because I am still learning so if something isn't as perfect as what I see on here, I remind myself that I did my best and they didn't pay a million dollars. If I charged more I'd never be able to rest. Someday I'll get there

Thank you all! I was thinking it was just me even though when I show people pictures of my cakes, some of them say "Wow, I didn't know you were that good." Um, thanks? I love challenging myself, though, and my husband will tell you I do a lot of talking to myself and I sometimes get irritated if I can't get something right!!!!! One of these days I'll get some of my recent photos up. No time right now!!!!! Too busy making cakes!!!!!

I am the same way as I am just starting and every time someone gets a cake I am on pins and needles until I hear from them about how the cake was. I ask my customers to call with feedback on how everything went. I dont just say my cake but I ask how their event as a whole went and then I say so did everyone like the cake? and so far I have not got a no yet only the cake was delicious. so I don't think I will ever get to the point that I don't "worry" about a cake that goes out the door.