Instructors

CHEF Fabiola Vidal

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fabiola is a talented cake artist with an admirable passion for all things cake! Her first encounter with baking was when she volunteered to make her best friend’s wedding cake and after spending 14 hours on it, she fell completely in love with the art of cake decorating.

Inspired by this experience she enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando, from which she graduated with Honors in the pastry and baking program. Her hunger for more knowledge led her to continue her studies at The Notter School of Pastry Arts. Here she was taught by world-class chefs and artists including Cake Artists Marina Sousa and Colette Peters, and Sugar Artist & Master Chocolatier Ewald Notter.

Upon graduation, she was quickly hired by Ritz Carlton of Orlando where she dove right into the world of pastry arts. She moved on to her dream job; making wedding cakes for Disney World at the Grand Floridian where she currently remains. Here she is the Chef Assistant overseeing the production of all cakes in the celebration department.

She is excited to join the eclectic and talented group of instructors at The Confectionery Academy and share her skills and love of cake art.

Meet Cake Artist & Macaron Specialist -  Debora Schultz

Debora (“Deb”) Schultz is a self-taught baker from Brazil with a passion for creating desserts that are as beautiful as they are indulgent. She is the owner of Nossa Bakehouse, a micro-bakery known for it's special-event cakes, and pop-ups throughout the Orlando area.

Deb’s love for baking is deeply personal - rooted in her Brazilian upbringing, her love for sharing food, and her desire to connect with people through unforgettable flavors. 

When she’s not in the kitchen, Deb enjoys spending time with her husband and their two daughters, connecting with other creatives, and exploring new ways to bring people together through food. She believes baking is equal parts craft, science, and joy - and she can’t wait to share her expertise and passion with you in this hands-on class

Iris is a Wilton Certified Cake Instructor, accomplished cake artist, proud Brand Ambassador for Satin Ice, and a Sugar Angel with Icing Smiles, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing joy to critically ill children and their families through the gift of custom cakes.

With years of experience in cake design and sugar artistry, Iris specializes in custom cakes, cookies, cake pops, and cake sicles for all occasions, from elegant weddings to festive holidays and everything in between.
As a featured instructor at D&G Occasion Bake Supplies, Iris brings her expertise, creativity, and heart into every class. Her hands-on cake pop classes are designed to inspire bakers of all skill levels, whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your craft.

Pat Ashley Howard is a nationally acclaimed confectionery artist best known for her award-winning gingerbread houses. In 2006 she created her first-ever gingerbread house and won the annual National Gingerbread House Competition which features hundreds of diehard gingerbread artists yearly. 

The following year she won the grand prize again and a third time in 2011. Since then Pat Ashley has made numerous appearances on the Food Network, The Travel Channel and TLC to name a few. Her creations have been featured many times on Good Morning America, on display for Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and in Cake Masters magazine.

Gingerbread houses, cookie and cupcake decorating are her other passions, and she loves sharing and teaching the craft!  But when she’s not baking, most likely you’ll find her engaging in her other love …f folding colorful scrapbook paper into boxes and bags, creating party favors for friends and family!