Regarding Wilton Classes...

[mishquilt]

Just a question to throw out there:
For those of you who have experienced the Wilton Cake Decorating classes, I was wondering if you thought it was worth it?
I mean no disrespect to those who follow traditional cake-decorating methods. However, I have a family member who brings a decorated cake to every family function and it is always decorated in the star-tip pattern (I think this is a procedure that allows one to use the same tip to fill in a whole design--it looks like a series of stars all over the cake). While attractive, I couldn't see the need to pick up this skill. I was wondering if the class covers more than just basic decorating techniques. I am interested in learning how to make shapes from fondant and of particular interest are the small cakes like petit fours with the poured fondant covering. Is this something offered in the Wilton series? Our local craft store offers a class but the bulletin board shows the basic cakes.
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts/experiences.

thanks,
mishquilt

[Chefzhat]

I haven't taken one yet, but I want to. There is a series of three classes to take. I think they cover much more than star-tip design. There is a specific fondant class too. Locally, Hobby Lobby offers the Wilton classes.

[AdGirl]

i've taken the first 2 wilton classes, not the 3rd.

in the first class, it's VERY basic. mostly how to properly frost a layer cake, how to use the basic tips and then how to do basic decorations (borders, transferring patterns, etc.)

many of the patterns you learn in the first class use the star tip. if you progress to class 2, then you learn other tips and decorating styles. you also learn how to use royal icing to make flowers and create much more intricate designs/patterns.

the 3rd class covers fondant and the final project is creating a 3-tiered wedding cake. i've never been interested in learning how to roll fondant and the like so i didn't go for class 3 but it is definitely offered.

[zwieback]

I just took the first class, but haven't taken any others. We learned how to frost a cake and here are the tips/designs we learned:

With the star tips -- Star, Shell and Zigzag
With the round tips -- Vines, Dots and Writing
With the petal tips -- Rose, Sweet Pea and Bow
With the drop flower tips -- Star Flower and Swirled Flower
With the leaf tips -- well, leaves

We also learned how to make the frosting and how to hold the pastry bag properly. And, we learned how to make clowns. The clowns are cute and my daughter really loved the cake I brought home with it on there.

For me, the class was worth it mainly because I know how to better use the pastry bags and how to make a few more designs than I did when I just played around with the different tips. And, I can now make cakes for my daughter's birthdays or other special occassions that she just thinks are great and exciting, even though my designs are nowhere near as good as the designs you can buy in the store. But, to her they're great, so it was definitely worth it for me just for that fact alone.

[DanaSD]

Like pp have said, wilton teaches the basic piping skills and fondant is covered in course 3 (and they make you take them in order). One of the techniques they cover is the star tip piping but they also teach other techniques. Depending on your instructor you may also get a good amount of instruction on useful (IMHO) technques for icing a cake (smooth icing, not with a start tip). For petit fours, try a cooking school - this is not covered in Wilton classes.

I perfer non-Wilton cake decorating classes. One of their main purposes is to teach how to use their products to sell more of their products. Often they have you buy more than you need - there are ways to use other products in multiple ways instead of buying all the stuff. Check around at cake decorating shops, cooking schools, and cookware shops (sur la table, etc) - you may find other cake decorating classes and more gourmet decorating classes.

Where in NY do you live? Colette Peters teaches classes in the city - she teaches mostly fondant and gumpaste.

http://www.colettescakes.com/classes_cc.html
at least she used to - it looks like all of her classes right now are scheduled out of state. I took her classes at Notter (Florida) and Cake Camp (vegas and CA).