LIVONIA, MI— A chocolate or sugar sculpture is the ultimate décor in pastry. For a special event, a dessert buffet or as a centerpiece for your home, this art form is one of a kind and magical. This semester Schoolcraft College has put together a series of classes with Chef Joseph Decker to teach aspiring confectioners the art of sugar and chocolate décor.
Chef Joseph Decker’s credentials are stellar, and include being one of only 16 Certified Master Pastry Chefs in North America. He is also a Certified National Judge for American Culinary Federation art salon competitions and was a member of the 1995 World Pastry Cup Team. He has won medals in world competitions in France and Germany and national competitions in Chicago and Detroit. He also served as director of research and development for Awrey Bakeries. Currently, Chef Decker creates and teaches the coursework for Schoolcraft’s Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts Program as well as teaches non-credit pastry classes which are open to the public.
Join Chef Decker as he designs and literally “captures the moment” on two inspiring evenings.  This money savings series is a real value and includes the following two classes:
• Sugar Sculpture Centerpieces: Beautiful Eye Candy – Thursday, May 10th from 6-9pm
• Chocolate Sculpture Centerpieces: Too Awesome to Eat – Thursday, May 17th from 6-9pm
The Sugar Sculpture Centerpieces class will focus on how sugar can be transformed into unparalleled works of art using both simple and complex forms of sugar decorating techniques. Various methods and types of sugar will be demonstrated: pulled sugar, blown, cast, pastillage, pressed, rock sugar, and spun sugar. The Chocolate Sculpture Centerpieces will showcase the wonderful world of chocolate and its marvelous taste.  Students will experience various chocolate techniques such as tempering, molding, airbrushing using cocoa butter colors, and sculpting. The average home chef will be able to duplicate some of the items, but not all due to the type of necessary equipment.
The classes can be taken separately or together as a series.  The cost for both classes as a series is $169/Senior Cost $135.20.  Participants must register prior to the start of the series to take advantage of the savings CES 2482/Sec. 921005.  Other classes taught this semester by Chef Decker include; Pastry 101: Skill Development, Dessert Buffet: The Sweetest Occasion, and Pastry Boot Camp.
For more information contact the Continuing Education and Professional Development department at 734-462-4448 or visit www.schoolcraft.edu/cepd/thedish.Schoolcraft College is a public two-year college, offering classes at the Livonia campus, at the Radcliff Center in Garden City and online at www.schoolcraft.edu.