We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elizabeth Graf a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

When I first decided to become a cake decorator, I knew I had passion, but I didn’t understand the stress I would face. You see a lot of interns fresh out of culinary school come and go in this industry. They enter the world of cakes and pastries because it sounds fun. It is a very enjoyable career, however, it can be a very intense job. There is little room for error when working on a cake design. Each detail needs to be perfect, from smooth icing to hand sculpted characters. Designing cakes takes a lot of patience and attention to detail. This is what makes a beautiful edible piece of art.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started my career in decorating cakes when I moved to Austin in 2014. I started as an intern at my first job in the industry, and worked a second job full time. 6 months later, I was promoted from intern to full time baker and decorator. I worked at several different bakeries following this until I finally decided to strike out on my own. I now own Elizabeth Graf Cakes and run it out of my home in Round Rock, TX. I do any and all custom creations for my clients, but I specialize in wedding cakes. Cakes should be as delicious as they are beautiful. I make quality from scratch cakes and treats. Having a small business allows me to spend the time to get to know my clients and their cake inspiration. I work hard to create something special for each person I have the honor of working with.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Everyone has had a bad boss at least once, or at least a boss you didn’t necessarily mesh well with. I once had an experience where a boss made a huge mistake with a cake, and then called me in from home claiming it was my fault. He had made an error in the ingredients he used for the icing. I came in to help, and didn’t attempt to argue with him. I got through the shift, and after one of the most stressful days I’d ever had in the kitchen, I decided it was time for my to move on from that job. I wasn’t going to continue working in a job where I was blamed for my bosses mistakes. This may sound like I ‘gave up’ but, I didn’t. I had a next step and another job lined up. The important thing is to always have a plan and a good attitude.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There are so many apps to help small business owners and places to talk to other cake decorators online now. I am apart of two different cake decorator Facebook groups. If I had been aware of these resources 9 years ago, I may have had more places to seek advice on a new design and how to execute it, etc.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/elizabethgrafcakes
• Facebook: Facebook.com/elizabethgrafcakes