Batter Chatter: Interview with Melissa Diamond, My Cake School - Giveaway Closed
Friday, July 23, 2010 
People take courses online for all sorts of things--and now, cake is one of the subjects! My Cake School is an online cake decorating school with all sorts of tutorials, message boards, and other goodies (and a new CakeSpy sponsor). Now, without knowing too much detail, I'd go so far as to say that this schooling is far funner (and more delicious) than, say, required Math credits! But how does it all work? I got in touch with owner Melissa Diamond to find out. Here's the interview:
CakeSpy Note: Melissa has also kindly offered a free 1-year membership to My Cake School to one lucky reader! Find the details at the end of the post.
CakeSpy: First things first. Who exactly are you, Melissa Diamond? And what is your relationship with cake?
Melissa Diamond: I am a wife and a mom -- and I LOVE cake decorating. I started a home-based cake decorating business years ago so that I could work from home--- now, I love to teach! Cake decorating is so much fun-- anyone can learn!
CS: OK. Now that we've figured that out...what exactly is My Cake School?
MD: MyCakeSchool.com is my new cake decorating website. I have a cake Blog that is open to everyone, and then other parts of the site that are for members. Membership is $30 for a year-- With this, you can access my cake decorating video tutorials (over 100 so far). There are Message Boards available for members to share their experiences, ask questions, and request videos!
CS: What are some of the advantages of an online cake school versus taking a course in a physical classroom or kitchen?
MD: I think that both have their advantages---but what I like the most about MyCakeSchool is that you are able to see a close-up view of the skill being demonstrated as many times as you like. Videos are permanently posted and available 24 hours a day--so, there are never any scheduling conflicts! Finally, it is so much more affordable! $30 may buy a 4 class course in decorating.....or a cake decorating dvd-- but with my site, you have access for a year to sooo many more videos--there is always something new to see!
CS: What is your first cake memory?
MD: Hmmmm.. I think that it was my 5th birthday-- My mom made me a cute cake with clowns on top----the giant swirls of buttercream with the plastic clown heads!! Do you know the ones? They still sell them!
CS: As a professional cake decorator, what are your thoughts on cupcakes?
MD: I love cupcakes! My favorite kind are just very simply decorated with a big swirl and a cute little topper or sprinkles! Or maybe the ones injected with cream.... or dipped in ganache.....
CS: Please, tell me something that people might not know about you.
MD: I love decorating to LOUD music! I can't do this in my videos though!
CS: What cookbook could you simply not live without?
MD: BakeWise: The Hows and Whys of Successful Baking by Shirley Corriher. Such a great book--she gives you the science behind baking.
CS: Morbid curiosity time: if you could envision your last meal, what would you have for dessert?
MD: This is so hard! I'm going with banana pudding!
But wait, there's more! You can experience the magic for yourself at MyCakeSchool.com. And one lucky winner will win a year-long subscription for free! How do you put yourself in the running? Simply leave a comment on this post saying what cookbook you simply could not live without! One winner will be chosen at random--the giveaway will close on Friday, July 31 at 12 pm PST. The winner will be announced shortly after!
UPDATE: THE WINNER! We have a winner, friends, and it is Judy R., who says "My favorite cookbook is Confetti Cakes for Kids. Also the cake decorating blogs online". Congratulations, Judy!
batter chatter
Reader Comments (130)
I think it's Martha Stewart Cookies...it's become somewhat of a go-to for cookie recipes of all kinds for me.
It may be basic, but I couldn't live with out my Joy of Cooking.
Can I count the internet as a cookbook? I find all the other bloggers to be much more fun and adventurous then cookbooks, which tend to get repetitive. I do have a few that I refer to for special recipes, Marcel Desauliners' Death by Chocolate is my favorite right now. You can mix and match the different cake components and build something entirely new.
The cookbook I can't live without it definitely "The Southern Living Cookbook". I just love it! It has so many different recipes and everyone I've tried is amazing!
Oh PLEASE!!! That sounds amazing! I love the Cake Bible. So many professional decorators use recipes from it, I figure it's as good as it gets!
The internet is my favorite and only "cookbook" I could never live without ;)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond. I just love her recipes!
I use so many, but for the basics I'd stick with the good old Betty Crocker Cookbook. It's got just enough of everything to get you by.
This might be dumb, but I got "Clueless in the Kitchen" when I was a teenager, and even though I'm no longer clueless, I get a lot of my basic recipes from this book!
The Cake Bible. This book has taught me so much, and every recipe is sooo good.
Hy! I`m from Argentina and I must say that the cookbook I can`t live without is one named La Cocina de Doña Petrona (Mrs. Petrona cook book in spanish). This is a kind of bible for all the cookers and it`s author is Mrs. Petrona, an exquisite lady who worked in TV for a lot of years here in my country. Sorry for my not so perfect english! I can read and understand everything but sometimes it is a little bit difficult to write! Tks! Cecilia
I know it's not a 'cake-book' but my go-to cookbook right now is The Pioneer Woman cookbook. I also get a lot of inspiration on food blogs of all kinds.
This sounds amazing!!! Can't wait to get on the site and check it out!!
The Whoopie Pies book by Sarah Billingsley & Amy Treadwell. Absolutely delicious - I love drooling over the photos :D
I also use the internet and blogs I follow for inspiration/recipes.. however on top of that, I received a Rachael Ray cookbook for those busy days! meals in 10, 15, 30 minutes!
I would say my 1967 Mrs. Georgia contest cookbook. I was a new bride, and my neighbor was a contestant. She gave me the cookbook, and after all these years of marriage, I still use it faithfully. Funny, the things you cherish and hold dear.
I get most of my inspiration from blogs & online forums... but I could never be without my Edmonds Cookbook (the equivalent of a New Zealand cooking bible) :)
I would love to win a subscription to My Cake School... it looks fantastic!
I would say Ree Drummond's cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, and also Betty Crocker.
Although I love all my cookbooks, my favorite is my Betty Crocker Cookbook. It was the very first cookbook I ever owned, and has all the basics and classic family recipes that are always a hit!
I know this is sad, but up until now the cookbook I couldn't live without was the Cake Mix Doctor. That's because I just didn't have time to bake from scratch. Now I find my inspiration from food blogs.
I love my Southern Living Cookbooks!
Hi Cake Spy! I love your blog! My favorite cookbook is actually a steno notebook in which I have penned many treasured recipes given to me by friends and family.
The Cake Bible is my favorite cookbook! It's helped me out a ton!
It's not an official cookbook, but it's a little journal I have where I copy down my favorite recipes. I use that and add to it all the time!
I run a bakery out of my home specializing in cupcakes and starting to get into more complicated cakes. A girlfriend of mine gave me the Confetti Cakes Cookbook and I love it! Just the style and techniques in that book are insane! I would love to someday be able to tackle cakes like that!