America's Most Beautiful Cakes :: Brides September 2011

Back in January, hundreds of bakers across the country were invited to participate in the Brides Magazine annual search for America's Most Beautiful Cakes.  It started with a couple sketches and finally the September issue with the top 24 cakes has hit stands.  We are so honored to be selected among the winners.  If you have a chance, definately take a look at all the other cakes on Brides.com or buy a copy of the issue, because they are truly beautiful and innovative.  Additionally, if you have the Brides Mag iPad app there is an excellent behind the scenes video by wedding style director, Maria McBride, that documents the entire process of the contest.

"A white dress with a black floral overlay gave Liz Shim food for thought. The result? A stylized showpiece featuring flowers painted with lustrous black dust."

 

(Above photos by Anna Williams for Brides Magazine)
Here are some behind the scenes photos upon delivery at the photo studio. 

We originally sent in 3 sample tiles of our design in orange, green, and black.  Then we were asked to create the actual cake in both green and black.  Finally, the editors narrowed it down to the black one!

For more behind-the-scenes info, check out Aisle Say, which is the blog from the editors of Brides. 

Eiffel Tower Cake

Bonjour!  This Eiffel Tower cake was sculpted for a young lady that was celebrating her 16th birthday.  Although the cake was served here in NY beforehand, I was told that on the actual day of her birthday she would have the delight of eating a meal at the restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower in France.  How fancy and awesome is that?

Here's a view from the top...

 

 

The Knot: Summer 2011 Cake Feature

When I was asked to create a fun cake for the Summer 2011 issue of The Knot, I jumped at the chance to use a pattern that I've been eyeing.  I was browsing online for clutches one day and I came across this yellow pattern that I loved and knew had to be on a cake.  For this seemingly simple pattern I ended up spending a lot of time trying to figure out the best way to go about getting a sharp look.   Stenciling, hand painting, using cutters, making a stamp, etc.... In the end I was reminded of the morsel of truth I was taught while working at Confetti Cakes.  Elisa would always say, "the more difficult and time consuming way was usually the right way"...which in this case meant I had to free-hand cut all the light and dark pink pieces with my x-acto.  This is how it came out:

Keith Haring

Ever come across Keith Haring's art work?  Maybe on a poster, maybe on a t-shirt, maybe on a mouse pad, but how about on a cake?  Unique outlines of people dancing and celebrating were a perfect fit for this couple who wanted to express themselves through the design of their wedding cake.  

This Keith Haring inspired cake was covered in black fondant, the dancing figures were piped on with royal, then hand painted gold with edible dust.  The J & J logo, created by the couple themselves, was a perfect design for the center.  Topping it all off were two dancing dogs, which is another iconic image of Keith Haring.

NYC skyline

If you love NYC + shopping, this is the cake for you!  Well, it was actually for a bride who flew in from Ireland to have her wedding in NYC.   Regardless, it definitely will please any urban fashionista. 

 

This is another cake we created with an evening version of the NYC skyline, but for a 40th birthday.  

I think of all the skylines I've ever seen, NYC is the most beautiful!`