Lambeth piping is one of the most skilled techniques in cake decorating and probably the most admired too. It’s named after Joseph Lambeth who popularized this ornate style of cake decorating in his book The Lambeth Method in 1934.

Lambeth piping is based on the centuries old English tradition of “over-piping”, creating rows and rows of intricate piped details, scrolls and garlands.  It’s the most lavish style of cake decorating and therefore usually reserved for very special occasions such as weddings and christenings.  With the arrival of smooth fondant cake designs in the late 80’s, Lambeth piping fell out of favor and became somewhat of a lost art. But it’s now firmly back in cake decorating fashion with vintage styles to the fore in cake decorating trends.