Capturing the Essence......

Making your "fit" your event is a huge part of my job.

Many of my clients are quite taken back at how many questions I ask them in regards to their choice of colours themes and decorations. If you choose a  cake that bears no resemblance to the occasion it is made for- then in my opinion- that is not money very well spent.

If you want a cake for the sake of a cake there are plenty of generic bakeries out there who can send you off with a round cake smothered in a delicious icing with a few chocolate curls here - a cake which won't leave an impact on your guests-  really if this is all you need a cake for,  then getting a "custom made" design is a totally different thing all together.

I often here people's jaw drop when they call up asking for cake pricing ( mostly for  kids birthdays) as I believe that really they have not much idea about what goes into making and creating a WOW Cake for your event. I mean- if the only "special" cake you have ever purchased is the Treasure Mud cake from The Cheesecake shop- where you have forked out an extra $15 or so dollars on top of the cost of the generic cakes- then yes- you are in for a big surprise when ordering a custom cake.

I am not saying that Customised designs need to be out of reach for most- but you will get what you pay for. If you want a design tailored to your needs- and say serving 80 odd guests as dessert- then the pricing expectation of this style of Boutique service should equate to more than the $5.95 for a piece of cake you would pay at a cafe.

Most of my clients are surprised at how reasonable the cake costings are- not only are they getting a beautiful dessert- but they are getting  a Sensational Centerpiece for their Function. Something for people to Ooh and Ahh over- and lots of "WOW- its too pretty to cut!".

It takes allot of time and practise to develop skills and learn techniques to be a good decorator, you put your heart and soul into the cakes- because you are so proud of the finished product- and you want your clients and their guest to feel that too.

So when I sit down with my clients - I want to learn a little about them- and their function so I can really capture the essence of their event- and turn it into a fantastic cake!

The first design of the week was for a Beautiful couple. SO lovely- I mean really want to make you bend over backwards and do anything for them wonderful.

Amy and Dan came to me after seeing my Invitation Print design. They had seen some painted cakes and loved the idea of using their invite as the feature for their cake.  

The cake was for their wedding at Mt Tambourine- and whilst not a traditional "white wedding" affair- it was one which was all about them and their love for each other.

The invite for the wedding was two branches meeting in the middle with Red Birds on it. This little motif was carried throughout the wedding- so it was only apt that it also featured on the cake.

No I am no artist- I do try-  but really I have to totally psych myself up anytime I paint onto cakes! 

So this design was a combination of hand painting ( with a 00 brush) and applique- with the birds.  

The top tier had the invitation "feature" and then across the design was smaller interpretations of the branch theme- with only a single bird on each one.

 

Simple and elegant- and completely fitting!

The next cake was also one which had a simplistic nature- but was everything about Style. 

A Four tier plain iced cake- with a striped Gross grain ribbon stylishly wrapped around the base of each tier.

There was no bow in the design- this was just me playing with the tad of left over ribbon- and unfortunately I have no shots without it (DOH)

A blemish free plain iced cake can look just as beautiful as a detailed design. This cake was for the Garden Marquee at Victoria Park- where the ceiling is Striped Black and white- and fit superbly with the cake itself.

The cake also sits on a Black iced board- which really helps the cake to stand proud.

I also had another cake on this weekend for Victoria Park- in the Big Marquee. If you haven't been to Vic Park since they renovated the Marquee- you should.

It is beautiful- with permanent doors and just all round really well set out design.

 

This Bride's theme was Pink and Black. A pale pink iced Extended height cake with a Damask Stencil- finished with sugar roses and Arum lilies and banded with Black satin.

Elegant- Grand - certainly providing "wow" in a room as bog as the Marquee.

I had another cake with Bec From Crystal Couture this weekend.

A three tier cake with Fresh roses and Tulips in amongst the layers- all finished off with a set of Crystal encrusted Monogram initials.

 

My flower wholesaler totally outdid themselves with these stunning roses and orange tulips! I was so excited when I collected them that I clapped! How embarrassing LOL! But I do love it when everything is simply perfect!

 

My sister Kate came with me to deliver this cake out to Glengariff- very lovely indeed.

I was all around the city this weekend- and managed to snag a nice easy park outside of Tattersalls to deliver this 4 tier Butter iced cake.

Now My flowers had been so right- there was certainly something that had to be not so right.. right??? 

recluster the gorgeous blooms and finish the cake exactly how it was intended.  

 

Some cake decorators may wash their hands of someone else's supplied decorations- but in the end your guests ask "Who made your cake?" not "Who supplied the flowers/topper and boy together it all looks fab!". Part and parcel of a days work really. 

 

My next stop was the Treasury Hotel.

What was a simple two tier ganache iced cake from me turned into a Magnificent Spring showpiece- with the addition of some glorious blooms from Shirley Baggaley of Baggaley's Florist. 

 

A pale yellow themed wedding- this ganache icing really worked in well. Ganache is far more yellow than Butter cream- so many brides opt for either a Whipped white ganache or butter cream instead. The yellow roses were picture perfect!

My last inner city stop was at the Royal on the Park- for another Beautiful couple.

Vas and  Billy were just gorgeous! They totally appreciated the work that goes into making a cake- and chose a classic design to suit their big reception.

                                                   

Red roses over a cake decorated with icing swirls- everything romantic!

Last but not least was a "blank canvas" cake. The clients added their own fresh flowers later on- so I only have the image of the "base" model LOL! 

Having a cleanly finished cake to add some fresh blooms too- is a great way to have a timeless design that will be elegant amongst your settings- but still beautifully done.

So here's hoping that I did the job intended and created cake designs for all of my clients which totally suited their event.

Thanks for Reading

SJ

Hello Holidays.....................

OK- in order to actually catch up and get into 2010 I thought I had better couple the last weeks of 2009 together.

Some truly wicked cakes finished off last year.

I often have people ask if I can make the toppers in different outfits rather than a "generic" wedding outfit. OF Course!!! All of the toppers are made to suit the clients and thier likeness- including any unusual traits or designs that they might desire.

The weekend of the 12/13th December was no different.

I had a chocolate creation with a bride and her "Conan the Barbarian" Groom! Too cute!

"What's that clinging to the side??" you ask- well it is their grey kitten of course! Pets and children can certainly be included in the figure sets.

I also did a variation of a Mad Hatter design that was sent to me over email.

The original bakers design had extended tiers, heart detail and a blingged up Monogram initial- but this couple chose to incorporated their love of all things horses and have three horse heads emerging from the top- as well as golden horse shoe decorations!

  

This cake really captures the "Mad hatter" Feel- bright and bold, personalised and all out fun!

The "Invitation Print" Cake design on my site is a very popular cake choice lately.

The cake was originally created for a couple to match their invites from Amity Invites 

Since the original cake was posted in my blog and site I have had numerous requests to recreate it. The design is simple and elegant- with a contemporary feel. The Invite designer actually contacted me after I sent clients her way that wanted to purchase the invites to match the cake- usually it is the other way around ( invite pattern onto the cake!) She seemed delighted to have had her design on the cake- and was kind enough to send me through a heap of her Invite samples to have available for my clients to look through when they come in for their cake consultation.

A gorgeous cake for Gianni's Portside late on a Summer Friday afternoon saw me running into the fabulous Jennine from Florabella! Jennine was doing the wedding flowers for the same wedding and was waiting for access to the venue when I came to deliver the cake. Unfortunately I was not able to personally place the cake on the cake table ( as the venue was not set)- but the wonderful Jennine sent me images of the cake beautifully set up!

The four tier cake had a royal icing finish- with piped teardrop and silver cachous detail. A band of Ivory sugar "ribbon" and  Sugar Ivory roses covered the top- Just beautiful. Another stunner to add to my favourite monochromatic cakes!

Brush Embroidery cake designs are also quite vogue with the popularity of the Vintage theme.

This design included teardrop Swarovski Crystals attached to champagne ribbons- arranged at differing heights over the tier. The Brush embroidery technique can be used to replicate lace patterning or a flower detail onto the icing surface. The raised effect adds texture and a touch of elegance to the design.

Purely because of availability- I generally don't get to make many birthday cakes during the year- as for most people it is a last minute thought about ordering a cake.

I do have some savvy clients though who understand the importance of booking early- which means I have the availability to create  a magnificent cake for their event!

One of my last cakes for the year was for  Singer/Music teacher- who wanted something "Funky" for her Birthday.

Together we cam up with a design that incorporated her party colours- her fun personality- and her love of all things music!

Edible Glitter Music Notes wound up and around the tiers all the way to the big "40" at the top! In amongst the black piped icing pearls was the occasional red one- just for something different!

Putting the cake on a Black iced board really lifted the design and made the tiers stand out.

Inside the cake was another surprise- one layer was a gluten free red velvet cake! The Bright red cake was a fabulous way to distinguish the gluten free tier for the guests.

I also had my sister Alex's boyfriends birthday cake to make. It is Joe's birthday just one day after mine- and in exchange for an uber cool cake from me Alex made my Birthday cake!

What else would a 20 something year old want but a Transformers cake???? I made this wicked design from the Transformers logo- simple yet effective.

With a blood red glossy board- and hand painted silver "face" detail- this cake certainly turned heads at the restaurant where the birthday was held. It was a hard ask to actually get Joe to cut and share the cake- but all good things must come to and end- so carve away!!

My Last Wedding cake for 2009 was simply STUNNING!!! I loved it to pieces.

The Bride had organised the entire cake via email- as they lived overseas- and I put together what she ordered.

In the Stamford Plaza River room I layered 4 tiers of chocolate chard covered cakes- and placed some gorgeous roses ( supplied by the couple) in between the tiers. The soft coloured Ivory and white roses with the stunning Buckles(also supplied by the clients) just looked so elegant- a real "Wedding" cake.

 

What read as a "simple" cake on paper really came together as a stunning way to finish 2009- A certain favourite for the year!I must email the Bride to ask where she bought the buckles from- they were gorgeous!

With all the "client cakes" done and dusted for 2009- I was on Holidays from cake making for a month- taking time out to sort paperwork, get ready for the New Year inquiry Rush, and generally take a break from all things sugar for a while. My family received the last cakes of the year- a Christmas cake for both my family and My husbands family.

Just to add a bit of fun to the Xmas table!

With 2010 now in full swing- it is February already  : o !!

Catching up on Blogging is a slow and steady process- but I am getting there!

Thanks for reading

SJ