Hi, Can any one tell me if there is any place that would teach cake baking in english. Im hoping to learn cake baking and decoration while im here in zurich for the year. I intend to combine it with my floristry skills someday so any guidance will really be appreciated.

Well, you can purchase the utensils and books from my internet shop. But I don't know of any courses, English or German, as cake decorating is still quite a novelty over here. I started with a a couple of books from Amazon (Carol Deacon and Debbie Brown) and took it from there to my shop today
Perhaps Jack knows of something?....

I have no idea about what courses, if any, are offered locally (I did baking and cake decorating courses in NY), but if you check out Martha Stewart's site, she has loads of recipes and techniques (photos and video how-to's), which may give you some ideas.

http://www.marthastewart.com/cake-de...ing-techniques

You will also need a cake decorating kit like this to do piping, swirls, flowers, etc.:

http://www.macys.com/catalog/product...w0aUFl.ep93xRQ

Not affiliated with Martha, etc.

You can also start a little smaller and build your equipment up as you need it... (I am affiliated with www.back-art.ch - all our supplies are in Switzerland and available for immediate shipping or pick-up. )

I know this is somewhat off topic but perhaps you bakers can help me out. I want to do some baking and in the UK the flour is self-raising and plain and I do not see the same here in the range of mehl. Which flour do I use for baking and do I need a raising agent?

Self Raising Flour

search and you will find plenty more threads

self raising flour isn't available here but if you need flour just ask....we have a mill

I saw that there where courses in english on the expat forum but don't have time to look for it just now, have a look you might find it....
www.xpatxchange.ch (mods please take this away if not allowed, thanks)

I usually use halbweissmehl for my baking. But if a recipe calls for self-rising flour, I *make* my own. Sift together (for one cup):

1 cup of all-purpose flour (I use halbweissmehl, and it works fine)
1 1/4 tsps. baking powder (back pulver)
1/8 tsp. salt

For recipes calling for cake flour, sift together (for 1 cup):
1 cup, minus 2 Tbsps, all-purpose flour
2 Tbsps. cornstarch (corn flour)

HTHS

THanks guys for all the links and suggestions, im still searching for the course/ classes.. no luck just yet. If i come across anything, i'll make sure i'll post it here.

Just want to thank you for the advice re flour...Just devouring my 2nd very successful scone!!! cheers!!!!

Was wondering if anyone managed to find the cake baking classes I am looking for a similar baking course in English.. preferably on weekends.. hope that is not a lot to ask for

Hi there
does any one know of sugar art courses for cake decorations held in Switzerland or Germany. Any help or tips would be appreciated.
cheers
Chosen

Wilton holds a class once or twice a year depending on demand in Portugal which is in English. Not exactly Zurich but it's closet than the US and it's a full program.

As for sugar art you can practice with playdough and watch lots of you tube videos. It's all about practice, that's how I taught myself.

Corina Ratering in Glattfelden offers cake decorating courses. She speaks a little English, so don't hesitate to contact her in English.

Her website: www.zuckerdecor.ch

Corina is a customer of mine.

Hi JanerMacP
thanks for your info. Pls do share how was your expericence in doing it? was it hard to start? thanks again

Chosen

HI all, I am doing the 3 part module at Kitsch cakes (website: kitschcakes.ch). It is fantastic and all the information is on the website. Sandra is the proprietor and she is a fellow canuck
she also offers, on top of cake decorating, cupcakes and cookies courses using either royal icing or fondant.
check it out, well worth it and highly recommended,
Julie

Hi Crumbs
took on your suggestions and attended one of Corina sugar art courses. was very excited and yes she does not speak much english but I spoke german and it was fine. Her lessons are not well prepared and she is not attentive to her students esp new student like me, who is new to fondant and co. She works on her flowers at her place and we have to hover around her to try to get what she is doing. She rarely comes over unless you really make a point by asking her to come check on your work.
She is disorganised and the only plus point I can give her is that, she is very eleborate on the details and her prices are compatible compared to other courses around. Once she has forgotten some things and she has to drive home to get them, as the place where the courses were held, is a rented room. That day I was not able to take home completed flowers and had to come home to finish them myself and on top of all that, without any notes to take home. I was not a very happy person that day as i was not able to fully show off the work after 8 hours of toiling.
and it was not a fun class.

I'm sorry to hear that. I have only heard good things from other customers about her courses, so perhaps she was having a bad day. No excuse, of course. I'll definitely talk to her about it - thank you for posting your experience.