I work at Publix as a cake decorator. (Though I know a bit about

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is it a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake?

>>7286597
Yea :^)

WHY ARE YOUR CAKES BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE

>>7286604
We make our icings on site, for one thing. Also most people come in and want to know why Wal-Mart is much cheaper. And I can tell you why, Wal-Mart uses a single layer of cake with some bulk Sam's Club icing. (I actually got rashes when it'd get on my skin when I worked there.)

Anyway, Publix makes their icing and uses a double layer or 4 layer as opposed to Wal-Marts 2 on their round cakes. Much more cake and delicious icing!

>This was too long, I'm sorry.

>>7286614
But the cake man, the cake itself is like always better than any other cake i've had.

>>7286622
The cake itself is not shipped from a wholesaler, it's made in Publix factories with the same recipes as when they opened the bakery department in the 50's or 60's (Can't remember exactly.) They make 90% of the stuff we don't make on site.

I noticed the freezer life is a lot less at Publix than Wal-Mart. Like years less. Less preservatives, I assume.

>>7286631
Huh, still better than just about anyone elses in my opinion.

>>7286660
Well thank you.
What's your favorite cake we make?

How did you get into working as a cake decorator, are you in culinary school or had any previous training? I have been trying to apply to stores for a bakery-related position but nobody has responded back to me and it feels really discouraging.

>>7286666
What I always got for my birthday. Alternating chocolate/white with strawberries inbetween (4 layers) and cream icing

>>7286680
I started at Wal-Mart and never really thought about doing it until a spot opened up. (I was in Electronics first.) There was a sweet lady there who had her own bakery at one time and she honestly taught me everything I know. I tried to do my own home-baking thing but it didn't work out. So I applied to Publix and have learned even more here.

Most places want you to start somewhere else than transfer into the bakery position. (Same with Deli.) If you don't have experience, I would recommend lying. :^) I lied to get hired at Wal-Mart. Just used an out-of-state place and they didn't call, so.

Anyway, I had previous training but in a grocery store it isn't necessary. You just get more money. The levels at publix are Packager->Baker Apprentice->Baker.

Then decorating is Decorator Apprentice->Decorator. Calling them back is always good too.

>>7286690
Nice! Fresh strawberry filling is ridiculously popular and good. I'm trying not to get fat(ter) surrounded by all this cake.

>>7286792
I moved out of Florida. Parents brought up a cake during Christmas for my bday, still so fucking good days later.
Seriously don't think I've had better cakes.

>>7286622
the cake is a mix made by duncan hines similar to their moist deluxe mixes.

Is it super busy working there or do you get to take time to enjoy the actual job?

>>7286588
i really like publix, i always feel like its a good company and the employees are pretty happy when I go in. I also appreciate that the meat is typically free range.

i pick up ciabatta rolls there probably twice a week. maybe ill get a cake next time.

>>7287077
It's not busy during the winter. But since I'm at a store by the beach, it is insanely busy during the spring and summer. So I've had time recently to get creative and enjoy it.

>>7287093
You should try a specialty cake slice. They're usually in the decadent case by the donuts. I like getting it so I don't have to get an entire cake and feel sad while eating it in front of 4chan.

>>7286814
Apparently, in the next 5 years we're expanding pretty far. I'm not sure how far though. I hope they don't get too cocky like Wal-Mart and make too many too fast.

Can you post any pics of cakes, OP?

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>>7287235
I will post pictures as I reply. I had to get them in order. This one is a castle cake.

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Or I'll just post em anyway.
This is hazelnut cream cheese. Bretty good

>>7287387

Why is it that Publix doesn't just taste better, Walmart tastes like absolute garbage. What is that weird super fluffy gross icing they use? How is the cake so dry?

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>>7287405
I think the icing difference is probably because we use butter (as buttercream should be made with) and the pre-made icing they get is a blend of oils and shortening. Our buttercream has a 10 day shelf life, while theirs sits in a bucket for 6+ months. :/

The dry cake at Wal-Mart is a complaint I got a lot while working there. It's because when you open a 1/2 sheet to make a 1/4 sheet, you use one piece and the other sits for days in the cooler (unwrapped, at my Wal-Mart) until you use it for something. At Publix, you use the whole 1/2 right then and cake never sits around uniced.

At Wal-Mart I routinely got told to use freezer-burned cake as well.

>>7287423
Do you like your job? Do you ever have plans to open your own cake store or anything of the sort?

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>>7287434
I like my job and I get paid pretty well for a grocery store gig. At the same time, though, it's very stressful to work in a bakery. Can't really see myself doing anything else. I'd like to have my own bakery, but I don't know if I'll have enough money to.

>>7286588

Which City?

Publix is the GOAT for groceries... it is very rare i don't walk out without saving at least 30% on groceries due to BOGO or other discounts.

>>7286588
What's the craziest thing that someone has asked to have written on a cake and do you ever deny stuff asked?

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>>7287463
Destin, FL.
True. I always do their BOGOs and they have online coupons tied to your phone number on their website. Every week they have a few coupons for stuff that's already on sale or BOGO.

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>>7287482
Well, I haven't got super crazy message requests. (One woman wanted "Happy Birthday Cunt") I wrote it, but put a piece of paper taped over it. That's the policy for that kind of stuff. The only weird cake I've gotten is >>7287442
They actually wanted it fully nude but my manager said I couldn't do it.

>>7287527
I live right near Destin. I should come visit you and we can say some danque memes to each other.

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>>7287538
Whereabouts?

>>7287551
Mobile, AL. It's a relatively routine drive.

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>>7287564
May be transferred soon but you can come in if you have time. Name's Matt.

>>7287615
What are those pastries lining the side?

>>7287615
if you don't get transferred before the end of next month, I'll come down

>>7287650
Looks like lady fingers. They're pretty ok

Worst part about moving from Florida to Canada is not having Publix. The deli is amazing and their bakery was even better, overpriced donuts but I always picked up some Italian or Mountain bread for subs.

Also really miss Duke's Mayo.

>>7286588
I fucking love Publix. I grew up in Florida and currently live in Nashville. Thank God that we have Publixes this far north.

Any good Publix hacks/tips to know about? Is there any schedule to predict when certain items will go on sale? Specifically the meats?

Are the employees required to act happy? I genuinely feel like the employees aren't hating their lives working at Publix.

>>7286588

Would you ever draw goatse on a cake?

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Do you eat a delicious publix sub for lunch every day?

what's your secret when it comes to piping? is it just practice?

>>7286588
When was the last time that you dropped a deuce in a urinal?

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>>7287650
>>7288030
Correct, they are lady fingers. I don't really like them, taste like nothing. Only good in tiramisu.

Also sorry, fell asleep last night! I'll try to answer these Q's.

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>>7288627
Yeah our donuts are kinda high. Better if you get a 4 or 6 count though. Apparently they used to fry them every morning. Now they're par-baked and we finish them off every morning.

I loooove that we mix our bread daily. Seems like hard work, I haven't gotten a chance to learn that yet.

>>7288648
I'm not sure about the sales in other departments, I'm sorry. Sometimes, if you go to the aprons meal center and their using a cut that's not currently on sale, it will be on sale the next week. But not always.

Bakery sales are kinda different regionally, we have key lime pies on sale every two weeks at least simply because all the tourists want them. And we call the winter tourists snowbirds. Never heard that term before until I started at Publix.

Required to be happy? No, but I can understand why they are like that. All managers care about is cleanliness and quality. I don't feel rushed to make 50 mediocre pies instead of 30 beautiful ones. Plus, I get paid 11 an hour (7.25 is minimum wage) and at Wal-Mart I started at 8.60. The managers make waaay more. They pay their workers fairly and the benefits are through the roof.

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>>7288675
If someone asked, yeah. No one except the customer would probably know what it is anyway. :^)

>forgot picture on last post I think. whoops

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>>7288945
Not every day, no. I'm trying to stay away from all the sweets and bread. Cool thing that happens is, if a customer speaks to a manager about you (in a good way, obv.) you get a free sub card. ANY sub. It's awesome.

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>>7288962
Well, personally, I am pretty good at drawing and I think that helped me pick it up quickly. Other than that, practice makes perfect. The woman who trained me at Wal-Mart said she got a Wilton book in the like 70's and it said to practice with shortening to pipe flowers and borders. Apparently, it helped her a lot. Plus, you don't waste icing and can keep reusing it to practice.

Another tip with piping; I always see beginners with a huge bag full of icing and they're holding it with two hands trying to control it. You need a half-filled bag and only hold a small amount in your hand. It's easier to control this way.

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>>7288971
Yesterday. Alaina was not happy to clean the restroom that day.

I don't like publix cake, I'm gonna be honest

Your chocolate cupcakes are the bomb diggity, but the chocolate cakes are always so bland. Also, I'm not a fan of frosting

I've been asking myself this for a while now, but do I even like cake? Every cake I have seems bland... maybe the problem is me. I'm sorry publix baker, I'm sure you do fine

>>7286588
why does your apple fritters suck so much very little apple and small. Also why one type of jelly doughnut raspberry?. Is the peanut butter cake any good does it have a good peanut butter taste or is it bland.

>>7289349
your cakes are very nice

I hate frosting. I hate it. Its horrible and I always get non-even spots. How do you do it?

>>7289802
whoa whoa whoa
the apple fritters are great, though they do need more apple

>>7289811
what about the peanut butter cake?. I'm a huge fan of anything peanut butter. Also why one type of jelly doughnut raspberry?

>>7289836
I've never had the peanut butter cake and I don't like jelly donuts

>>7289849
Yea but why only one flavor of jelly doughnuts? I get the glazed btw.

>>7289858
I always get the glazed too

maybe there is just no demand for jelly doughnuts so it doesn't matter

>>7289864
What is your view on your almond bear claw. I tryed them a couple of weeks ago there great. I got the 2 on sale where you save like mabey 50 to 1.00 not fresh from the case. Would you get the fresh or the ones on sale. and whats the difference.

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>>7289763
>>7289810
I'm actually not that big of a fan of frosting myself. And cake is not my favorite (the guava pastries are.) It could be you, how do you feel about other cakes?

>>7289802
>>7289811
I'm not sure why they don't have as much apple in them. They're very popular though. You should complain to corporate.

>>7289805
Thank you!! :)

>>7289836
>>7289849
The peanut butter cakes are to die for if you like peanut butter. They're made with a peanut butter buttercream. It's honestly the only buttercream I like. I don't really like it just plain.

>>7289884
THE GUAVA PASTRIES ARE THE BEST

>>7289879
oh I'm not that guy, I'm also just a person that shops at publix

I'd get the fresh apple turnovers or gauva pastries over the bearclaws unless they were on sale

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>>7289858
>>7289864
Different stores get different donuts. I had a person from South Carolina who was complaining that we didn't make some sort of peanut butter donut. I was trying to explain the regional differences but she just walked off in a huff. That is honestly my only complaint working at Publix. The customers are very uppity, but that's everywhere I suppose.

>>7289884
I just had one of the almond bear claws for the first time a few weeks ago! They are so good; light, flaky, with just a hint of almond. The cheese ones are pretty good too, too much powdered sugar though.

>>7289887
Yes!! We sell out of them like almost everyday. (Mostly me.)

why is everyone who works at publix so happy all the time do you guys get money for smiling or something

>>7289884
>its a boy
>give it a girly name

>>7289902
I've been to one once, it was disturbing how friendly everyone was. I know all about the puzzle that the lady that made my sandwich was working on

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>>7289902
>>7289919
I would say it's the benefits and pay you receive there. It's a lot more than other places. Nowhere I know of gives you health, dental and vision insurance even if you're part time. And I've never had somewhere encourage me to move up in management so quickly.

How long did they hold the cake decorator position over your head as a carrot? Friend of mine spent the better half of three years just to get the assistant position.

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>>7289986
They were desperate for one. I was hired in as a decorator. (I had 4 years of experience though.) It's a hard position to get into if they don't really need it to be filled, unfortunately. Also, some managers can be dicks, not all can be as cool as mine. :(

>>7289985
ugh coconut is the worst

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>>7290019
It's not popular desu.

>>7286588
Ive noticed a lack of quality in the cakes at my local publix over the last few months. Has anything been chamged regarding preperations or something?

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>guy calls himself a cake decorator

>works almost exclusivley with fondant

Fondant is trash.

>>7289985
I get you there. Working in a decent grocery store they'll immediately recognize a person who has a head on their shoulders and try to get them into management.

Shame grocery store work is bullshit. Work at a local bakery instead. You have to be attractive though and start out slinging doughnuts and the like. They'll pay you better though and it's much less of a hassle. Helps if you're female as well. I've never actually seen a man in the position.

>>7291457
Costumers like the clean look. They order it specifically.

Hey OP, thanks for making an interesting thread!