FDFRB3004A
Decorate cakes and cookies

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to prepare and apply decorating materials, such as fondants and ganache, and use a range of typical decorating techniques.

Application

This unit has application in a retail baking environment within the food processing industry.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to decorate cakes and cookies

1.1. Ingredients are confirmed and available to meet finishing requirements

1.2. Equipment is checked to confirm readiness for use

1.3. Decorations and decorating materials are available to meet product decorating requirements

2. Decorate products to meet quality and customer requirements

2.1. Decorating materials are applied to meet presentation requirements

2.2. Finished product meets presentation requirements

2.3. Unacceptable product is identified, rectified or reported

2.4. Products are assembled to meet customer and quality requirements

2.5. Work is conducted in accordance with workplace environmental guidelines

2.6. Workplace records are maintained according to workplace recording requirements

Required Skills

Required skills

Ability to:

confirm customer requirements

select and/or follow appropriate decorating instructions

confirm that the required type and quantity of cake ornaments, decorations and decorating materials and/or ingredients are available

confirm that required equipment is clean and ready for use

mix or prepare decorating materials as required

select and mount cakes on appropriate cake bases

demonstrate a range of decorating techniques to suit the product - at a minimum, decorating techniques will include:

flooding, icing or masking cakes

writing simple messages

using more than one decorating material to achieve the required finish

applying decorating materials to cover cakes in a timely manner to achieve an even, clean finish as required by product and customer requirements

identify and take corrective action to ensure that finished product meets quality standards

clean equipment and utensils to meet hygiene standards

maintain workplace records as required

maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

temper chocolate according to enterprise procedures

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

methods used to prepare a range of decorating materials, including preparation of ganache and fondants

characteristics, role and storage requirements of materials used

required characteristics of prepared decorating materials

methods used to prepare powdered and liquid colours/flavours

methods used to confirm accuracy of measuring equipment used

board types, sizes and appropriate medium to secure cake to cake base

acceptable standards for equipment/utensils used, including cleaning requirements and signs of wear or unacceptable damage (where measuring equipment is used, it may also include procedures, such as taring of scales)

decorating techniques, such as flooding, icing or masking, piping of simple messages and decorative finishes, and placement of ornaments and decorations

the effect of variables, such as the temperature of decorating materials and application time on the finished product

product quality, presentation and storage requirements, such as refrigeration, freezing and shelf-life

inspections/control points used to confirm that product meets quality requirements and related monitoring requirements

causes of variation and corrective action required

occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards and controls

waste handling and cleaning requirements and procedures

chocolate preparation and tempering where relevant

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

plan and prepare ingredients, equipment and processes required for decoration

combine and process ingredients according to requirements for decoration

decorate to achieve required quality outcomes

take corrective action in response to typical faults and inconsistencies

apply safe work practices and identify OHS hazards and controls

apply food safety procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

work procedures, including advice on relevant product decoration requirements, safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements

recipe/decorating instructions

product specifications and related inspection/control points

product to be decorated and related decorating materials and equipment

personal protective clothing, equipment and material safety data sheets (MSDS) as required

cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required.

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out according to company policies and procedures, regulatory and licensing requirements, legislative requirements, and industrial awards and agreements

Legislative requirements

Legislative requirements are typically reflected in procedures and specifications. Legislation relevant to this industry includes:

the Food Standards Code, including labelling, weights and measures legislation

legislation covering food safety, environmental management, OHS, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity

Workplace information

Workplace information can include:

verbal or written instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

specifications

production schedules

recipe instructions

Decorating materials

Decorating materials may include but are not limited to:

cake ornaments and decorations

fresh, mock or butter cream

fudge and other icing sugar

fondant

chocolate

glazes

fruit

custard

mousses and similar fillings and coverings

Decorating materials may be prepared from scratch or purchased for use

Typical equipment

Typical equipment includes:

piping bags and nozzles

mixing bowls

application utensils, such as spatulas and palette knives

Typical decorating techniques

Typical decorating techniques include:

flooding, icing or masking cakes

finishing cake sides

piping to produce decorative finishes and write simple messages

placement or arrangement of ornaments and decorations

It may also include applying the final layer of materials to finish a product

Decorating

Decorating is done within design specification parameters


Sectors

Unit sector

Retail baking


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.