Instructor Application
You are cordially invited to submit an application to teach a mini class, extended class, or demo at That Takes the Cake 2025. Our Show will be held on March 29 – March 30, 2025 with classes during, and after the show.
Please review all of the information below carefully, and then complete and submit the application below by November 15, 2024 for consideration. Late/Incomplete applications cannot be accepted as schedules need to be set.
TIMES
The 2025 Sugar Art Show and Cake Competition, marking the 19th annual event hosted by the Capital Confectioners Cake Club, will take place at the Bastrop Convention Center, just east of Austin, TX. While That Takes the Cake has grown into one of the largest shows in the country, with 2020 being our biggest event, the challenges of recent years led us to downsize the show to ensure sustainability.
With the new 26,000 sq. ft. venue, we’ll have room for 300 competition entries, live demos, 20 vendor spaces, and ample attendee amenities. However, this smaller space means fewer classrooms, so instead of an open call, we’re inviting a select few instructors to submit applications to teach at this year’s show.
When determining your class length, please be considerate to instructors and students by making sure that your class can be completed within the scheduled times. Ending classes late can adversely affect the next instructor or a student’s next class.
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES – Mini Classes
The instructor’s portion of the mini class fees will be capped at a maximum $150 per student. The class price would then be $175 which includes our administrative fee. Classes that have historically sold best are ones priced at $125 or less. We are confident that we will be able to offer a variety of classes and techniques and that registrations will be maximized as students will be more likely to take multiple mini classes. We strive to make the classes affordable for our participants, please take that into consideration when setting your prices. Classes that sell best are ones where students are learning a variety of techniques, not just a particular cake, and ones that are reasonably priced.
For the convenience of the students, instructors must provide all supplies used by students in hands-on classes. We receive donations of fondant and cake dummies for classes from sponsors, so please indicate any needs on the form. A mixer or microwave can be provided so you don’t need to travel with one. Please indicate this need on your form. Last minute purchases of class supplies made by Capital Confectioners will be deducted from your instructor fees. This includes, but is not limited to, any specialized tools needed and will become the property of the instructor.
There will be 30 minutes for set-up and clean-up before and after each class. The instructor before/after will be sharing the space and doing their own set-up and clean-up as well. Please keep to the scheduled class times and leave the classroom area clean for the next instructor. Volunteers will assist with clean-up and set-up.
We will let instructors know the number of students enrolled in class by March 1, 2025. If the minimum number of students has not been met, the instructor can decide whether or not to cancel the class. We must receive written notice of cancellation by March 5th, 2024, or we will assume you are coming. These dates are set to give any students who are registered in a class the opportunity to transfer to another class.
Class spaces will continue to be sold up to the maximum number of students until 1 hour before the start of the class. Any reduction in max students must be requested by the end of day March 23, 2025 CST. Board and volunteers are extremely busy during show weekend and will not be responsible for any changes after that date. Plan to have supplies for the maximum number of students unless other arrangements are made. Special arrangements for supplies must be made prior to March 5th. 2025.
Instructors are responsible for their own transportation plus room and board.
View Code of Conduct >
Código de conducta >
REGISTRATIONS/PAYMENT
We handle all registrations, collect registration fees, and send instructors a check for the amount of their class fees 15 business days following the close of the Show. Capital Confectioners adds an administrative fee of $25 to the class fee for each student.
Instructors will be required to sign an IRS form W-9 prior to disbursement of any compensation. Your class monitor should provide you with a W-9 on completion of your class. Please sign it and return it to your class monitor before leaving your classroom. Form 1099’s will be sent to the instructors by January 31st of the following year.
TIMES
Each class can be 1 to 3 hours long. Instructors may choose the amount of time necessary for their class. If you need longer than 3 hours, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate. Please do not try to squeeze your 4-hour class into 3 hours, which is unfair to all students and instructors. This often causes the class to run late, impeding on the next class’s time.
ROOM SET-UP
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES – Cookie Track Sessions
Instructors must provide all supplies needed for their demonstrations. Fondant is donated for classes, please indicate any needs on the form. A mixer can be provided so you don’t need to travel with one. Please indicate this need on your form. Demos that sell best are ones where students are learning a variety of techniques. Last minute purchases of supplies made by Capital Confectioners will be deducted from your instructor fees. This includes, but is not limited to, any specialized tools needed and will become the property of the instructor.
There will be 15 minutes for set-up and clean-up before and after each demo. Please keep to the scheduled demo times and leave the classroom area clean for the next instructor. Volunteers will assist with clean-up and set-up.
We will let instructors know the number of students enrolled in class by March 1, 2025. We must receive written notice of cancellation by March 5th, 2025 or we will assume you are coming. If you fail to notify us we will assume your demo will go forward. These dates are set to give any students who are registered in a demo that is being canceled the opportunity to transfer to another session.
Demo spaces will continue to be sold up to the maximum number of students and up to the date of the class. Plan to have supplies for the maximum number of students unless other arrangements are made.
Instructors are expected to promote their classes and the Show through their own websites and social media.
Instructors are responsible for their own transportation, room and board. Demo instructors are eligible to also teach a mini-class.
View Code of Conduct >
Código de conducta >
REGISTRATIONS/PAYMENT
The instructor’s portion of the demo will be a flat rate of $200 per session. We are confident that we will be able to offer a variety of classes and techniques and that registrations will be maximized as students will be more likely to take multiple demo classes.
We handle all registrations, collect registration fees, and send instructors a check for the amount of their class fees 15 business days following the close of the Show.
Instructors will be required to sign an IRS form W-9 prior to disbursement of any compensation. Your class monitor should provide you with a W-9 on completion of your class. Please sign it and return it to your class monitor before leaving your classroom. Form 1099’s will be sent to the instructors by January 31st of the following year.
TIMES
Demo sessions will be 45 minutes in length. Each attendee will attend 6 sessions and will have an hour break for lunch.
ROOM SET-UP
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES – Extended Classes
To make participation as convenient as possible, we require that instructors provide all supplies used by students in hands-on classes. There will be time for set-up and clean-up before and after each class. We will have volunteers to assist with clean-up and set-up if needed. If time permits, the first classes of the day may be set up the night before.
We will let instructors know the number of students enrolled in class by March 1, 2025. If the minimum number of students has not been met, the instructor can decide whether or not to cancel the class. We must receive written notice of cancellation by March 5th, 2023 or we will assume you are coming. These dates are set to give any students who are registered the opportunity to transfer to another class.
Class spaces will continue to be sold up to the maximum number of students until 1 hour before the start of the class. Any reduction in max students must be requested by the end of day March 25, 2025 CST. Board and volunteers are extremely busy during show weekend and will not be responsible for any changes after that date. Plan to have supplies for the maximum number of students unless other arrangements are made. Special arrangements for supplies must be made prior to March 5. 2025.
We strive to make the classes affordable for our participants, so please take that into consideration when setting your prices. Classes that sell best are ones where students are learning a variety of techniques. Last minute purchases of supplies made by Capital Confectioners will be deducted from your instructor fees. This includes, but is not limited to, any specialized tools needed and will become the property of the instructor.
Instructors are responsible for their own transportation plus room and board.
View Code of Conduct >
Código de conducta >
REGISTRATIONS/PAYMENT
We handle all registrations, collect registration fees, and send instructors a check for the amount of their class fees 15 business days following the close of the Show. Capital Confectioners adds an administrative fee of a minimum of $50 or 10% of the instructor fees whichever is greater per day to the class fee for each student to account for overhead and expenses.
Instructors will be required to sign an IRS form W-9 prior to disbursement of any compensation. Your class monitor should provide you with a W-9 on completion of your class. Please sign it and return it to your class monitor before leaving your classroom. Form 1099’s will be sent to the instructors by January 31st of the following year.
TIMES
We can accommodate one Extended Class on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. In addition, we can accommodate one or two 1-2 day classes on the Monday and Tuesday following the show. During the show, Extended Classes must fit within the time constraints of the show. Sunday’s class, for example, must end by 3PM so that attendees may attend the Awards Ceremony. Classes held on Monday and Tuesday are more flexible but in general run from approximately 9AM to 5PM.
ROOM SET-UP
Mini Classes will be held at the Bastrop Convention Center. Cookie & Cake Tracks will be held at our host hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites in Bastrop, Tx . Classrooms can accommodate a maximum of 20 students. The rooms will have ample space to fit the students comfortably – 2 per 6’ table along with an instructor demonstration area for the classes.
Power–Up Cakes
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