In fact, some of the most extraordinary cake artists in the world often have backgrounds in other creative disciplines. It is not unusual to discover that a decorator creating breathtaking edible art has formal training in fine art, graphic design, sculpture or textiles.
This distinction also helps explain the difference between baking and cake decorating. While baking relies heavily on understanding ingredients, chemistry and process, decorating is often an exploration of colour, texture, composition and finishing techniques. The two skills work beautifully together, but they are not necessarily the same skill set.
The internet has accelerated this crossover even further.
When I moved to the United States in 2006, Australian cake decorating was still heavily influenced by traditional methods. Fondant-covered cakes with rounded edges, sugar flowers and classic decorative techniques dominated the industry. Today, a single decorator can upload a video that reaches millions of people around the world in a matter of hours. A new technique developed in a small bakery can become a global trend almost overnight.