Learning high end cake decoration from the pros

QUINN ABUGOV

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the magic of Artistic Cake Design, tucked just off Merivale Road on Clyde Avenue, a family-run business has been teaching cake decorating, crafting custom creations, and delighting locals with its signature buttercream for over five decades.

As I quickly came to learn, Artistic Cake Design is more than a bakery – it’s a cornerstone of Ottawa’s cake artistry community.

As part of The Mainstreeter’s 40th anniversary, my partner Karissa and I set out to create a commemorative cake worthy of the occasion. I arranged a design session with James Bloomfield, Artistic’s  third-generation owner, whose calm enthusiasm made even two amateurs like us feel at home in the world of piped frosting and gold glitter.

A few days before our session, Bloomfield emailed to ask about the cake flavour, the filling, and the frosting we preferred, since he planned to bake and prep for us in advance. He also asked whether we preferred a modern look or something more classic. By the time we arrived, he already had a design concept in mind. I told him we were open to having some fun with it – and he ran with that idea.

When we arrived on the day of the decorating session, James and his co-owner Andrew Lacelle welcomed us with warm smiles and a fully prepped workspace. The inside of the store is spotlessly clean and neatly organized, with a central table reserved for classes. A display case near the front counter showcases some of their recent cake creations – wedding cakes, cartoon-themed birthday layers, elegant florals – all demonstrating their range and skill.

Along one wall is a striking photo collage, superimposed across the entire surface, depicting the bakery’s journey from its early days on Preston Street to its current Clyde Avenue home. There are photos of past owners, family members, and dozens of smiling students from cake classes over the years.

 “People come in and recognize themselves from classes they took 10, 20 years ago,” owner James Bloomfield said with a grin. “That’s the best part – seeing how many people have been a part of this place.”

Our two vanilla cakes with cookies and cream filling were already baked and assembled, leaving us with the fun part: the decoration. With green and black buttercream icing – the anniversary colours – that we had pre-selected, we were invited to bring the vision to life.

Before we could start, though, James gave us a crash course in decorating techniques. He demonstrated basic stars and swirls, first on a flat canvas and then on a Styrofoam mock cake.

With newfound confidence (and a few shaky lines behind us), we moved on to the real cake. Swirl by swirl, we added our personal touch. Once the base design was complete, we finished it off with gold candy balls, edible flakes, and a hint of glitter to give it some pizzazz. The end result wasn’t bakery-window perfect – but it was meaningful, joyful, and full of personality.

As we left with our finished cake carefully boxed and covered in sparkles, I realized we had walked into a bakery but left with something more – a new appreciation for the art of cake design, a few piping skills, and a sweet memory we’ll always associate with The Mainstreeter’s anniversary milestone.

Artistic Cake Design offers more than custom cake sessions. They also host cupcake-making workshops and a tiered set of cake design courses, ranging from beginner-level buttercream basics to more advanced techniques like airbrushing and fondant artistry.

“We’ve always wanted to make cake decorating something that anyone can try,” James explained. “You don’t need to be an artist – you just need to have fun.”