Fondant
Fondant is a smooth, pliable icing used in professional cake decorating and pastry making. It's like a sweet dough that can be rolled out and draped over cakes to create a perfectly smooth finish, or molded into decorative shapes. Bakers use two main types: rolled fondant (for covering cakes) and poured fondant (for filling candies and pastries). This skill is particularly important in wedding cake creation, special occasion cake decorating, and high-end pastry work. When you see cakes with a perfectly smooth, matte finish that looks almost like porcelain, it's usually covered in fondant.
Examples in Resumes
Created intricate wedding cake designs using Fondant and gum paste decorations
Specialized in sculpted 3D cakes with Fondant covering and details
Trained junior decorators in Fondant rolling and application techniques
Developed new recipes for flavored Fondant that improved taste while maintaining workability
Typical job title: "Cake Decorators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Cake Decorators
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Events & Training
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a large wedding cake order that requires complex fondant work in hot, humid conditions?
Expected Answer: A senior decorator should discuss climate control methods, fondant consistency adjustments, structural support systems, and timing strategies. They should also mention backup plans and preventive measures.
Q: How do you train new staff in fondant work?
Expected Answer: Should explain teaching progression from basic fondant handling to advanced techniques, common mistakes to watch for, and how to develop consistency in team production.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What techniques do you use to prevent bubbles and elephant skin in fondant?
Expected Answer: Should describe proper kneading techniques, correct consistency, and handling methods. Should mention tools used and common troubleshooting approaches.
Q: How do you price a fondant-covered cake?
Expected Answer: Should discuss factors like size, complexity, time investment, material costs, and market positioning. Should show understanding of both production costs and market value.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the basic process of covering a cake with fondant?
Expected Answer: Should describe preparation steps like ganaching/buttercreaming the cake, rolling fondant to correct thickness, and basic draping techniques.
Q: How do you store fondant and fondant-covered cakes?
Expected Answer: Should know proper storage conditions for both unused fondant and finished cakes, including temperature and humidity considerations.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic fondant covering of round and square cakes
- Simple fondant decorations and shapes
- Basic color mixing and handling
- Understanding of storage and freshness requirements
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex fondant decoration techniques
- Tiered cake construction with fondant
- Figure modeling and 3D elements
- Custom color matching and marbling effects
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced sculptural and architectural pieces
- Team management and training
- Complex project planning and execution
- Innovation in techniques and designs
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of food safety requirements
- Unable to demonstrate basic fondant handling techniques
- Lack of understanding about cake structure and support
- No portfolio of previous work
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Refining Job Descriptions to Expand Applicant Pools: Casting a Wider Talent Net
Forget Coding—Can You Communicate? Why Soft Skills are the New Hard Skills
Building an Unshakable ATS Data Governance Framework: A Guide to Protecting Your Recruitment Goldmine
