Why I Love Teaching the Lambeth Cake Class – by Chef Megan
Lambeth cake decorating is one of my absolute favourite classes to teach, and I always put my heart into every session. There’s something so special about sharing the beauty of this intricate piping technique with students, many of whom have never tried it before.
In every class, I start with the fundamentals—how to stack, fill, crumb coat, and mask a cake. I walk the room during each step, providing hands-on feedback and making suggestions to help students improve their techniques. Once the cakes are prepped, we move on to the most exciting part: decorating!
To ease everyone into the art of Lambeth piping, I give each student a template to practice with various piping tips. I also introduce them to a coupler—something many students have never used before—and explain when and why it’s beneficial. We go through different piping styles, and I demonstrate how each tip creates unique designs.
One of my favourite moments is showing students how to combine different Lambeth piping techniques. I teach them how ruffle drop lines pair beautifully with shell borders, how rosettes can cover intersections and gaps, and how stacked borders enhance the tops and bottoms of cakes. After demonstrating, I give students plenty of time to practice, experiment, and ask questions.
As students gain confidence, we transition to piping directly onto their cakes. I encourage them to follow my design while also adding their own creativity. I share tips, like using a round cookie cutter to plan out spacing, and physically demonstrate some of the most iconic Lambeth cake designs right on their cakes.
Throughout the class, I constantly move around the room, offering one-on-one instruction and guidance. I love seeing the moment when a student masters a new technique—it’s incredibly rewarding. Many students also show interest in piping messages onto their cakes, so I take time to provide tips and instruction on writing beautifully with icing.
By the end of the class, I always hear from students about how much they’ve enjoyed the experience and how much they’ve learned. That’s what makes teaching this class so special to me—helping people discover new skills, build confidence, and create something truly beautiful. I can’t wait for the next class to see what my students create!
