Profile of a Cake Decorator

The delicious aroma of freshly baked cakes was almost overwhelming.

Julia, 33, started cake making and decorating three years ago when she was a stay at home mother and has never looked back.

“Life as a cake designer really can be diverse, depending on the path you choose. I started doing it on my own and enjoy it at the moment, and it works with my schedule.”

One day Julia hopes to start a wedding cake/decorating business, and has been getting plenty of practice with word spreading fast locally that she is the ‘go to’ girl for beautiful and delicious cakes for any occasion. 

“I enter competitions regularly to get noticed too, but one day I hope to own my own wedding cake business.”

Of course I get to try one of her specialty cakes, the ‘Crème Brûlée Cheesecake’. It was the most magnificent cake that I have ever tasted.

Becoming Professional

“I never took any professional classes by the way. I learned my basics from my mother and got most of my recipes started from the Internet and my huge collection of cookbooks, and then slowly I discovered what worked and made my own mixtures.

“Making cakes in the comfort of my own home means I have the freedom to be creative and do something that makes me happy, while also pleasing others and putting a smile on their face, or just making their day a happy one,” she said.

I was also able to see some of the cakes Julia had prepared for upcoming events, including a soccer ball made for a 13 year old’s birthday party, and another for 60th birthday.

“You get to interact with so many different people and it is so fulfilling knowing you have helped make their occasion wonderful.” Julia said about the joy of creating cakes for special occasions. “The rewards are that I get to work at home, be with my children, get paid to do something I love so much and let my creative side out.”

When I asked Julia what her most exciting milestone to date with her cake making was, she answered without hesitating.

“I made a wedding cake for this lovely young couple. The bride drew a picture for me but told me to improvise if I liked. I will never forget when she came to pick it up and she fell to the ground crying from the sight of the cake! I started crying too!”

Challenges

It was clear that Julia had had some great achievements and positive experiences with cake making, but with everything there is always a downside.

“There’s always going to be that one customer, that no matter what you do, they will want something else. They will critique you and pick on everything you have done. Luckily, I haven’t had many of those, but I just keep a smile on my face and do my best to make them happy.”

“Another con is the cost. If you are starting from nothing, you will have a huge expense. When word gets out about your cakes and how good they are, the more demand there is for you, the higher prices you can charge.”

“I think if you have true admiration for something and you are determined to be successful you can definitely teach yourself! I am so blessed to have the support that I do today but I will not stop until I am recognised nationally or get on to that ‘Cake Wars’ show!” she laughed.

Text by Elysia Roberts.

Photo by Elysia Roberts.