that magic moment

Day after day, cake after cake. Cutting, filling and frosting a cake is not what it' s all about. It's once the cake has been pre-frosted that the creation can come to life. You look at your blank canvas and a little thrill, a little stage fright sets in. You have an idea, a plan, now you must execute it. The artist within steps up to the plate ready to hit a home run. Then as if from no where you are colouring, shaping, covering things in fondant and frosting. It's happening, you're in the moment, in your element. There you are in the midst of a moment of magic where nothing else matters, nothing else even seems to exist except you and your creation. It's the moment you hoped would come where you are in complete contentment. Last Saturday while creating a birthday cake for a very dear friend I got lost in that magic moment. I hadn't't felt that content in weeks. Damn, it felt good!

may contain nuts

And I don't mean the cakes! What is it that attracts crazy people to open bakeries? Do they start out sane and are made insane by the business of baked goods? Or is it that one must be a little off to want to own a bakery? And I'll tell you this, it's not just the American businesses that contain bosses that rant and rave. I have had the pleasure and displeasure to have worked in and tried out at a nice little cross section of bakeries. If it were possible to taste the emotions and mental stability of a bakeries owner it would be like eating a saturated mess of fears, frustration, neurosis, and narcissism. Every cupcake sold is another step towards validation. Afterall cupcakes are what make or break a bakeries worthiness theses days, sad but true thanks to the self proclaimed cupcake conessuiers. Don't worry If you carry the same aversion to cupcakes the way I do you'll want to stay tuned for more on them later. I have worked for owners who have screamed, cried, and thrown things like a child having a tantrum. The baking world of course contains Its own set of stressors. You are of course dealing with food, nutritional value is beside the point, but people are particular about it even when it seems ridículous to us. You just can't mess with people and their food. There is also more and more competition and the threat of going under is ever apparent. I'm not saying that all bakeries are the same when it comes to the questionable sanity of Its owner but they do seem to contain a common thread.
It has also seemingly become the dumping ground for failed and retired actors. I just wonder when opening a bakery became the backup plan for not making it in Hollywood?!

the ten commandments of cake

Hello friends, family, cake-makers, bakers, baked good eaters, and anyone who gives a hoot to read this!
I am a cake decorator by trade. You've heard all about the dirty little secrets of restaurant kitchens, crazy chefs, but what do u know about bakeries? Just because they are full a sugary sweet treats dosent mean they are always sweet to work in. It is a love/hate kind of work to be in. Make no mistake about it I am happy to have found a great way to make money doing something creative and artistic. But not everyday is a cakewalk. Some days you wish nothing more to shove a a dozen regular sized cupcakes down a skinny cows throat, or throw cake pan at the back of your bosses head. Others you are overjoyed to see a kid thrilled with the cake you have created for their birthday. I also want to let you know that names of bakeries, coworkers, bosses and the like have been omitted or changed to protect privacy and to avoid getting in any hotwater. It's a place to express and comiserate in the best way u know how...by bitching, sarcasm, and tongue in cheek humor.

Now, it is time for the commandments...be aware these may alter, be added to, and will consider suggestions for improvement.

1. Thou shalt not ask "is it fresh" As if you know what you are talking about...you probably couldn't tell the difference between a day old and a week old for many products. Plus this is a sure fire way to piss off your favorite bakery.
2. Honor thy decorator and baker. They are making your food. They also decide whether or not you deserve a last minute order you "need" for a birthday you seem to have forgotten was coming up.
3. Thou shalt not covet thy competitors goods. Basically stay true to the place you most like or we may not be around forever.
4. Thou shalt not insult your decorator. If you treat your decorator like crap why would we care to make you a nice cake?
5. Thou shalt not obsess over cupcakes. They are just small pieces of over_frosted cake. Sure they can be done well and turned into little works of art( just wait till u see some.of the ones I've come up with.) But anyone can and is making them these days.
6. Thou shalt not jump on the red velvet bandwagon. It's died to he that red and what you probably really like about them are the colour and the cream cheese frosting.
7. Thou shalt give clear, detailed descriptions of what decor you want on your cake, we are talented but not mind-readers.
Okay, so I haven't decided on the official last three commandments...I'm taking suggestions.