One of the most intimidating things about starting a business is the potential for failure. From small failures like dropping a wedding cake on the ground to the worst possible failure, bankruptcy, nobody is immune. The point of thinking about … Continue reading
Video: Cake Order FailIn the bakery business, we get all kinds of weird phone calls. Every once in awhile, we get one from the type of customer who just doesn’t understand the laws of physics or the limitations of cake. Here’s an example of … Continue reading
In this segment of a 4-part video tutorial on the topsy turvy cake, I demonstrate how to measure and insert wooden dowels for a topsy turvy cake frosted with buttercream. VIDEO: Topsy Turvy Cake Tutorial 4 – DOWELING Related Links Part 1: Intro … Continue reading
In this third segment of a 4-part video tutorial on the topsy turvy cake, I demonstrate how to frost a topsy turvy cake tier with buttercream using the upside down frosting method. Video: Topsy Turvy Cake Tutorial 3 – FROSTING Related Links Part 1: … Continue reading
In this second segment of a 4-part video tutorial on the topsy turvy cake, I demonstrate how to carve a topsy turvy cake using the upside down tapering and wedging method. Video: Topsy Turvy Cake Tutorial 2 – CARVING Related … Continue reading
VIDEO: You Copied My Cake! You might also enjoy 125 Building Blocks for Your Bakery Business Cake Sales Kit … Continue reading
VIDEO: Valentine’s Heart Cakes – Bakery Recipes & How-To Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day! Here is an example of how I made three different kinds of cakes using one kind of heart mold at a commercial bakery. LINK: Freezing Cakes Video NOTE: This … Continue reading
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED Hey bakers. I’m doing another reader appreciation giveaway and I know you’re going to like this one because every single person who enters wins a prize! GUARANTEED PRIZE INFO If you participate, you are guaranteed … Continue reading
Sometimes we say that a cake “sweats” which implies that the moisture is coming from inside the cake but that’s not true. Here’s what you need to know about cake condensation with explanations on what causes it and how to minimize … Continue reading
So you don’t run out of hours or sleep during your next big cake adventure, here’s a map of how to spend your time in the kitchen leading up to the big event including which tasks to save for which days. This tutorial … Continue reading
WARNING It is my doody to warn you that this article contains: Poop Humor Turd Cakes Poop Poisoning Stories Vital Information About Food Safety This sickness that we call the “stomach flu” really should be called the “accidentally ate poop virus” because that’s … Continue reading
Those of you who know me and my soft spot for cake bloopers entered your worst cakes in this giveaway because you knew it would crack me up and it worked. Erika H. wins for sharing this photo of her … Continue reading
Happy 2016! How were your holidays? Were they sweet? Did you bake your tushes off? Did you get some cool new kitchen gear? After a hiatus of several months, during which I completed a new book manuscript, I’m back on … Continue reading
In commercial bakeries, big batches of buttercream frosting get loaded into large plastic buckets, which are then labeled, dated and stored in a freezer. The same method for storing leftover buttercream may be applied in home kitchens. However since home … Continue reading
Here’s how to decorate a beach themed cake with FIVE kinds of edible seashells hand sculpted in modeling chocolate. These designs are appropriate for a wedding cake, birthday cake, baby shower cake, or any special occasion cake. Click below to view the video and read the article … Continue reading
You can usually tell how clean a pastry kitchen is by how well the piping equipment is maintained. In well-managed kitchens, the pastry bags get emptied and cleaned at the end of every shift. There are places for the bags to … Continue reading
It’s entirely possible to paint edible colors and designs onto modeling chocolate. However, modeling chocolate doesn’t perform the same as fondant or gumpaste. Because of the high fat content, it’s less absorbent. Its surface is rather slick, sometimes even oily. … Continue reading
The logistics of bench test hiring and interviewing in the food industry. Definition of a culinary bench test: A hands-on interview in which the applicant performs a set of cooking or baking skills in order to demonstrate their level of competency in … Continue reading
This style of folded modeling chocolate flower is an adaptation of a Japanese ribbon technique known in English as Tsumami Kanzashi. These flowers make beautiful 3D edible cake decorations. Click below to watch the video and read the article Modeling Chocolate Kanzashi Flowers Click on the link below to watch the … Continue reading
In an effort to clarify the widening gap between the word chef and it’s true definition, here is an explanation of the difference between a real professional chef, an independent cottage law chef, and a phony chef. click below to … Continue reading