WATCH: Cake decorating aficionados enjoy master class with Italian guru

Claudia looks forward to seeing which locals use her method to create masterpieces.

March 31, 2023

Jani de Beer 1 minute read

Claudia Prati with Lorinada Pretorius and her masterpiece in the making.

Lovers of cake art and dabblers of the art were not disappointed during their master classes with world-renowned cake decorator and international tutor Claudia Prati from Italy.

Hosted at the International Hotel School in Rynfield by Benoni’s Cake Decorators Network, Claudia shared secrets to her cake decorating methods, which involve the use of painting, palette knife and royal icing that she calls “Materika”.

This is her reinterpretation of the classic acrylic/stucco painting repeated in a “sweet” key using an edible medium such as royal icing/buttercream and food colouring.

The author of an award-winning cake design book, a gold medallist and an international tutor, hosted five exclusive workshops from March 23 to 27 teaching decorating aficionados her unique style and techniques, which she developed in 2017.

Sponsored by Cake Arts, Rolkem SA, Chipkins Puratos and Sugar and Crafts, the keen learners were treated to lucky draws and spot prizes, which included decorating products and implements.

“We are incredibly grateful to have had such an amazing artist hosting workshops right here in our backyard,” said Tania Riley, a Cake Decorators Network member and owner of Cake Arts in Farrarmere.

Claudia said she sincerely enjoyed her visit to Benoni and the fact that the participants, although hugely proficient in their own right, took to the classes with great enthusiasm.

“I hope that they will take what I have taught them and use it to further continue creating beautiful cakes,” Claudia said.

How to join the Cake Decorators Network
The network is a volunteer organisation and operates on a not-for-profit basis. The mission of the network is to help build people skills in cake decoration and allied fields of interest.

• Annual membership fee is R350.

• Members only are allowed to attend monthly meetings (fourth Wednesday of each month) in Farrarmere.

• Door fee for demonstrations is R30.

• Hands-on training workshops are R180.

• WhatsApp Tania on 082 931 6200 to join.