Baking and decorating impressive cakes is the job of a cake maker.
If you enjoy baking and decorating cakes, you could become a professional cake maker. A cake maker prepares and bakes cakes from scratch and is often responsible for decorating the cakes with frosting, fondant or other sweet toppings. Once you've developed the skills as a cake baker, you can work full or part time, either from your home or in a professional kitchen. While you do not need to attend pastry school, some formal training can help you advance.
Instructions
1. Enroll in a pastry arts program at a local culinary school. You can earn a certificate in pastry arts if you do not want to enroll in a two- or four-year program or earn an associate or bachelor's degree. If you enroll in a formal program at a pastry arts school, take at least a few courses in cake baking and decorating.
2. Take a food handling and sanitation course to earn a food handler's certificate. If you plan on baking cakes at home, the health department may need to inspect and certify your home kitchen.
3. Obtain an internship or apprenticeship at a local bakery. You may have to work for free or for little pay as you build your cake decorating and baking skills.
4. Practice making cakes at home for friends and others. Be the person who bakes everyone's birthday cake or cakes for graduation, going-away or retirement parties.
5. Take photographs of the cakes you make. Create a website and physical portfolio to display your creations to potential customers. Sign up for social networking sites so potential customers can find you online and current customers can comment on your creations.
6. Keep up with trends in cake design by taking continuing education courses and reading pastry arts periodicals.
7. Bake a cake for a large event, such as a friend's wedding or an event at your church or community center, to advertise your skills and abilities to a larger crowd.
