Nicole Weeks, a 2025 graduate of AACC’s Baking and Pastry Arts program, transformed her passion for cake decorating into professional artistry through the college’s hands-on training and expert instruction. She continued refining her technique with world-renowned gum paste artist Maggie Austin, a connection sparked in an AACC classroom.
It was an absolute privilege to study under the talented Maggie Austin and to build upon the cake decorating skills that I acquired during Chef Hawkins's cake decorating class at AACC. Chef Hawkins is a brilliant cake decorator in her own right, and her love for and technical skill of the medium really inspired and challenged me in new ways during my semester-long course with her. She introduced me to Maggie's work and encouraged me to take a class with her. The foundational skills and knowledge in cake decorating that I acquired under Chef Hawkins gave me the confidence and ability to take an advanced class with a world-renowned cake artist, an experience which culminated in the creation of this gorgeous wedding cake!
One of my favorite things about the HCAT program at AACC is that it has opened up so many new opportunities for me as a student and as a pastry professional. We only spent one class on gum paste flowers during Chef Hawkins' course, but that foundational instruction inspired me to go out and learn more. That AACC class introduced me to a brand-new medium, gave me a set of very practical, hands-on skills for working with that medium, and inspired and prompted continued education to improve upon those skills. I am forever grateful for the ways that all of the HCAT instructors have inspired, challenged and encouraged me in my pastry education.
.jpg)