inStorebuyer - May 2012 - (Page 34)

baking&decorating TRENDS IN BAKING & FINISHING Artsy Cake Writing Artistically applying measured and balanced typography is an extremely tedious skill with any medium, let alone on cakes. As time consuming and difficult as the designs may be, there is an important advantage to providing cakes with writing that is balanced and well designed. With customer expectations set by popular shows like Cake Boss, it’s difficult — if not impossible — to meet unrealistic standards and remain time- and cost-effective. Even so, skilled cake writing not only provides some of that extravagance, but it also grabs the attention of shoppers. But keep in mind, cake writing is just as difficult as any other art. There are a number of tips and styles that can help accelerate the decorating process and improve design strategy. Hire talent Hiring individuals with artistic backgrounds is becoming more common in the cake decorating industry. Many individuals reason that baking and pastry work can be taught more easily than innate creativity or years of artistic development. For instance, RJonathan Armistead, the bakery manager at Hy-Vee in Columbia, MO, attributes a great deal of his cake writing talent to his youth as a graffiti artist in Germany. Accustomed to working quickly and efficiently, Armistead says he is one of the fastest decorators at writing on cakes. Extensive artistic experience and talent not only implies the ability to produce visually aesthetic cakes, but may also save valuable time. In addition, appropriately matching specific styles, designs and colors with individual cakes will greatly improve the final look of the project. While it may be easier to disregard the type of cake being used, it’s essential to match the writing style and design appropriately, Armistead says. each cake. Extravagant decorating is in demand, but shoppers only tolerate moderate upcharges for the work. While it may be easier to disregard the type of cake being used, it’s essential to match the writing style and design appropriately. If the time invested in each cake’s design is more than what customers are willing to pay, then the strategy will waste time, labor and resources. Its success will predominantly depend on your location and the types of customers who frequent your store. After taking each of these variables into consideration, you should be able to roughly determine the artistic level of cake writing that your bakery can afford. TIMMY TRABON Assess profit While many of these details can be worth taking into consideration, it’s important to assess whether they are profitable. Track the time your employees dedicate to decorating | 34 | inStorebuyer | May 2012 |

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of inStorebuyer - May 2012

inStorebuyer - May 2012
Editor's Note - The Foodie Generation
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Frontline news - Dawn to Unveil Cake Boss-Inspired Cakes
Frontline news - Enter America’s Best Raisin Bread Contest
Frontline news - Food Lion Launches Brand Strategy
Frontline news - Finalists to Compete at IDDBA Challenge
Frontline news - BJ’s Rolls Out Farm to Club
Frontline news - Rice Creates Nutrition Column
Frontline news - WinCo Enters Arizona Market
Foodservice Retail - Cooking Schools
Foodservice Retail - Partnering With Celebrities
Foodservice Retail - The Breakfast Club
Baking & Decorating - Gourmet Cookie Diversity
Baking & Decorating - Artsy Cake Writing
Baking & Decorating - Harris Teeter Puts the Icing on the Cake
Bakery Development - Cookies Remain Strong
Deli Development - Deli Salads Provide Summer Growth
Hot Times for Foodies
From the Instore to the Aisle
Garden of Opportunity
Staffing Chefs Makes Sense
Food Safety - Safety Steps
Health & Nutrition - Spring Season Produce
Cheese Corner - Comfortable and Adventurous
Cheese Corner - Cheese on the Rise
Product Trends
Product Showcase
Marketplace Network
Ad Index

inStorebuyer - May 2012