When I first started out with WendyBakes, I distinctly remember have a conversation with my husband where I vehemently declared that I DID NOT want to focus on doing celebration cakes, saying they were too much pressure, had to be done too last minute, were in danger of focusing on style over substance, and generally just no no no! I wanted to focus on taste and not presentation.
Fast forward just 6 short months, and here I am eating my words (as well as my celebration cakes) and admitting that I actually love doing birthday cakes! I think in large part my enjoyment has stemmed from my new found confidence gained from my decoration course - having a few tricks up my sleeve to ensure consistent results and troubleshooting any glitches is definitely a comfort and takes some of the pressure off to allow me to enjoy the process.
Having a few simple tried and tested base cake recipes that turn out good results every time is also a joy - there can be no better feeling than opening the oven door after 35-40mins (160 degrees) and being met by all those golden domes and the self congratulatory smell of the vanilla cloud.
Some customers give very specific instructions of what they want their cake to look like, often sending a picture they have found on the net, and there is a certain satisfaction with trying to work out exactly how another baker has achieved a particular look. With other customers, it is more of a suggestion - such as the "glam-sparkle-prosecco-50" cake I am making this week. That's when I get to try out something I have seen and coveted myself, and it just a joy when you get that 'wow' moment from a client when they unbox a cake they never knew they wanted but are really happy with. It totally justifies my Instagram feed being full-up with icing reels!
Let's just say, it's a good job my husband isn't a "I told you so" kind of a guy - otherwise my 180 might be really annoying!!!