Job Duties

• Unlike a baker or pastry chef, a cake decorator is not typically responsible for creating cake recipes or baking cakes. His job focus is creating illusions and decorations on the surfaces of the cakes and other sweet baked goods based on the desires and instructions of the customer. He must listen well and confirm each detail of the customer's order when he records the decorating requirements. If the customer requests embellishments that are impossible to create, the cake decorator suggests viable and appealing alternatives. Conferring with the cake baker is necessary to ensure the dimensions and shape of the cake are amenable to the proposed decorations. Training novice decorators is typically part of his job, as is making sure the work area is clean and up to health and safety standards.
  
  

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• In-depth knowledge of icing, frosting and pastry cream components is necessary because different mixtures are required to face the cake, create flowers and figures and write messages on the surface. Math skills are required to adjust recipes for different size cakes and calculate geometric angles to stabilize tiered cakes and those adorned with toys or figures. Time management abilities enable the cake decorator to successfully plan and execute multiple decorating projects.
  
  

Qualifications

• Cake decorators are normally hired based mainly on their artistic talents and vision. Like conventional painters and photographers, cake decorators usually have portfolios of their work in addition to resumes to present to potential employers. Cake decorators often enter contests to add to their credibility and showcase their talents. In addition to creative abilities, a cake decorator needs good customer service skills and the ability to quickly react to adverse conditions with inventive and practical solutions.
  
  

Education and Training

• Cake-decorating jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent. Some bakeries have intern positions that provide on-the-job training by a professional cake decorator. Technical schools, culinary institutes and cooking schools frequently offer cake-decorating curricula that combine classroom instruction with hands-on training. Professional baking and culinary associations have voluntary certification programs that enhance the credentials of cake decorators. Top culinary artists sometimes hire aspiring cake decorators to assist them and learn the trade through paid or unpaid apprenticeship programs.