I have several books in my collection- most of them pastry/baking books. I will say that this isn't a book for everyday use exactly. I consider this to be more of a professional learning resource. I have taken culinary courses, and I hold a certificate in Baking & Pastry, and I recently finished with my degree in Baking & Pastry. The courses that were offered at my school weren't focused on cake decorating, although I certainly wish that they were. I actually am going to pay a visit to my school and my past Pastry Chef instructor- and I'm bringing this book. It is definitely textbook quality, and it reads exactly like that. I think my Chef instructor will actually consider teaching a course, based on this textbook. Whether or not the school will fund it, is another matter! But that's a whole different topic....



Not all of the skills in this text are foreign to me of course. But I am so excited to get started with these lessons, as I intend to go through the text as if I were actually taking a class, with Toba Garrett. =) I have already used a few of the recipes for buttercream, with excellent results. I have also tried the recipe for modeling chocolate, and completed my first lesson- the chocolate rose. I'm not exactly starting from the beginning of the book with my lessons. ;P I was very pleased with the instructions, recipe and results. The photos that accompany the lessons are incredibly useful. The lessons themselves, are very detailed, step by step instructions. I am very eager to try out many of the recipes, and so glad that I finally have all of my favorites in one book! Not many "cookbooks" have curd recipes, much less pineapple. And as I mentioned the buttercream recipes- awesome. Another thing that I LOVE- The yield is given for every recipe. Well, I could go on and on about what I love about this book- there really isn't anything that I DON'T love!



If you are looking for something to reference everyday, or something that reads easy and has lots of photos, this probably isn't worth the investment. However if you are like me, an aspiring pastry chef, cake artist, and are in this field or are wanting further instruction- this is one awesome reference. As for the price- I justified it by telling myself that ONE culinary course + supplies FAR exceed the $60 price tag.