Page Contents:
-Basic Cake Decorating
-Advanced Cake Decorating
-Rolled Fondant & Gum Paste
-Youth Cake Decorating
-Chocolate Technique
Gingerbread
-Other Courses
-Instructor
-Reservations
-Cancellations
-Student Discounts

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Instructional Courses

Courses are held on Saturdays in our store in Philadelphia's Italian Market.

Registration is open to adults and to young people of high school age and older (unless indicated otherwise in course description). Average class size is 10 students.

If you are interested in classes that are full or not yet scheduled, please let us know (phone number and hours below), and we will contact you when future courses are scheduled.

Brochure and Application

Rev 2009-10-24

Basic Cake Decorating

Prerequisite: No previous experience required.

This course introduces the fundamentals of cake decorating, including, but not limited to:
♦ Preparation of cakes for decorating,
♦ Several types of decorator icings,
♦ Preparation of various types of decorating bags,
♦ Instruction in the skills needed to prepare a variety of flowers, including the full rose, and
♦ Special techniques used for floral spray cakes, writing and figure piping.

Hands-on learning starts with the first session. For the second and for the third sessions, students will bring prepared icing and a baked-at-home cake to decorate in class.

Supplies may be purchased during the first session; a list will be provided by the instructor.

Course fee: $50 plus supplies
Supplies: Approx. $60-$100, average $70 (less if you already own some equipment)
Sessions in course: 3 consecutive Saturdays
: Mar 6, 13, and 20 -9:30 am to 12:30 pm - Full
: May 1, 8, and 22 - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm - Full

 
Advanced Cake Decorating

Prerequisite: Must first take the Basic Cake Decorating course or have equivalent knowledge and experience.

This course guides the student in refining skills acquired in the Basic course, culminating in the building and decoration of a multiple-tier cake.

Skills taught include:
♦ More advanced techniques in cake preparation, such as tiered cakes,
♦ Specialty techniques that include Run Sugar and string work,
♦ Introduction to working with unbreakable gel,
♦ Extensive use of the flower nail and lily nail, and
♦ Advanced flowers, such as the lily of the valley.

In order to succeed, students entering this course must possess all the skills that are taught in the Basic Cake Decorating course description.

Supplies from the Basic Cake Decorating course should be brought to the first class, together with a batch of prepared icing from a recipe provided in advance. Additional supplies may be purchased during the first class.

For the third session, students will bring in cakes to use for building and decorating a multiple-tier cake.

Course fee: $50 plus supplies
Supplies: Approx. $50-$100 (less if you already own some equipment)
Sessions in course: 3 consecutive Saturdays
: Mar 6, 13, and 20 - 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm - Full
: May 1, 8, and 22 - 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

 
Rolled Fondant & Gum Paste

Prerequisite: Must first take the Basic and Intermediate courses.

This course prepares the student for:
♦ The use and preparation of rolled fondant to cover cakes and make borders,
♦ Utilizing cutters to form flowers such as the daffodil, daisy and rose,
♦ Free formed flowers such as the petunia, and
♦ Utilizing plunger cutters to make drop flowers.

For the third session students will bring in a cake, and will be guided to cover it with rolled fondant and decorate it with the techniques learned during the course.

In order to succeed, students entering this course must possess all the skills that are taught in the Basic and Intermediate Decorating course descriptions.

Supplies should be purchased during the first class, from a list provided during registration. Bring all basic supplies to first class session.

Course fee: $100 plus supplies
Supplies: Approx. $150 (less if you already own some equipment)
Sessions in course: 3 consecutive Saturdays
: Apr 10 - 9:30 am to 11:30 am, Apr 17 and 24 - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

 
Youth Cake Decorating Class

Prerequisite: No previous decorating experience required.

This course prepares the student for:
♦ The basics of cake decorating to include preparation of icings, proper angles and pressures and coloring ideas.
♦ A variety of techniques to make quick and easy borders, drop flowers and leaves.

Ages 10-16.
Next Course: Date to be announced

 
Chocolate Technique

Prerequisite: No previous experience required.

This course prepares the student for working with chocolate, learning the different kinds, how to select it, melt and temper it, molding, dipping, and working with chocolate leather to make roses, baskets, and more.

Course fee: $50
Sessions in course: 1 Saturday
Next Course: Date to be announced

 
Gingerbread

This is a demonstration class. You will learn how to make templates for house parts, the recipe to bake them, how to assemle the house, and a variety of decoration styles you can use.

Course fee: $20
Next Course: Date to be announced for Fall/Winter 2010

 
Other Courses

If you are interested in any of the following courses, please provide one of our sales representatives with your contact information, so we can notify you when they are scheduled.

♦ Gum Paste Level 2
♦ Rose Workshop
 

 
INSTRUCTOR
Deborah DiCintio Lang is a professional baker, caterer, Master Decorator, and winner of many awards. She brings to you her extensive training and experience, with answers to your questions, not only in cake decorating, but also in cooking and baking. (Phila Weekly 2004 archived article)

 
RESERVATIONS
♦ Courses are open to adults and to young people of high school age and older (unless otherwise noted in course description).
♦ Call first to check for available space.
        Call 215-922-5557 -  Tue-Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
        Or stop by during our regular store hours.
♦ Payment of the course fee is required upon registration.
♦ Prior to the beginning of the course, we will call you to confirm your reservation and the session dates and times.

 
CANCELLATIONS
♦ Complete refund of fee if we cancel the course, or if you cancel at least 10 days before it begins.
♦ Two-thirds of the fee will be refunded if you cancel within 10 days before it begins.
♦ No refund if you cancel during the course.
♦ With prior approval from the instructor, you may be able to make up missed sessions during a future course, at no extra cost.
♦ If we cancel a session as a result of inclement weather or other circumstance beyond our control, we'll re-schedule to insure that all sessions are held.

 
STUDENT DISCOUNTS
10% Discount, for the duration of the course, on baking and cake decorating equipment and supplies (non-electric only), from our regular (non-sale) prices. (Cannot be combined with any other offer.)