A Time of Thanksgiving

It is always such a treat to work with a bride (and groom) while designing their wedding cake. Many times after the consultation is over, I feel like I have a new friend.  This emotional connection in working together to make their wedding day the best it can be makes my job so much fun.  In this season of Thanksgiving.. that is what I'm thankful for... the joy I have in working and getting to know my clients.  Because of that relationship, the bride is no longer a name from my "contact me" page, but a new friend, and I want to make their cake even better than they imagined it could be. It's all in the "extra" details that are thought about with the bride in mind that make a spectacular cake and a happy bride.
Occasionally, you get a bride that goes out of her way to thank her vendors.  As a vendor, these "thank you's" are worth all the hours you spend away from your family and personal life to make their day special.  Just a little note or even a quick email can make your day and encourage you to keep doing your job.  If I had to choose my top 3 favorite gifts/thank you's I've received, it would be these:
  #1:  Blog Comments
            My most appreciated thank you's come when a bride posts comments on my blog about their cakes.  This not only makes me feel happy that they loved their cake, but I love that they shared it with everyone who is looking at my website and blog.  When you have customer satisfaction and others get to read that, people are more willing to contact you.

  #2:  Thank You Notes
            Many brides have gone out of their way to actually mail me a note showing their appreciation.  In our "cyber world" we live in these days, snail mail is not the most popular form of communication, BUT it is very meaningful when you know someone has taken time to get a piece of paper, write down a quick note, get a stamp, and get it to the post office.  I appreciate the efforts.
Along this same idea, I had a bride make postcards from a picture they had taken on their wedding day and mailed them out with their thank you note on the other side.

  #3:  Small Gift
            I'm not saying I expect brides to give me gifts by any means!   But I did a wedding a few months back where they were giving away chocolates and toffee's in cute little boxes to each of their guests at the reception.  Before I left, the mother of the bride handed me a box of chocolates with my name on it and a nice little note thanking me for the service I had rendered. I was touched by their appreciation that they gave to to me.

When everything is said and done.. with or without a gift, an email, or a note, I am most thankful for my clients.  I love what I do because of them. It is such an honor to be able to be part of one of the happiest days in a couple's life together.    

Thank You for all you do for me!

(excerpts of this post are posted on the incredible UBB (Utah Bride Blog). Check it out!

2009 Utah Chocolate Show- Wedding Cake Competition

The Utah Chocolate Show was this past weekend and I decided to enter into the Wedding Cake Competition.  The theme this year was "Italian Romance" and this is what I came up with.  I was honored and very surprised when they announced my name for two different awards!  In the end.. it was worth all the stress and sleepless nights working on this cake.

Here it is..... It's called, "Mi Amore"

(The cake says... My Love, You are Beautiful, I will always be with you)

Awards:
2009 Best Chocolate Flowers
2009- Special Recognition by Judges--  "Most Signified Italy"

Maren Re-Visited

I just had to post this AMAZING video from the incredible Dave Perry.  If you are planning a wedding.. you already know how lucky you are if you get Dave to shoot your wedding.
Maren was one of many brides I've been able to work with that I completely adored.  She was the most well organized, paid complete attention to every detail... literally.  (the cake was designed to match her shoes... take note in the film).

Nate + Maren = 8mm Film + Digital Film from David Perry on Vimeo.


I just had to show this video... not just for the cake... but because this video depicts the #1 reasons I do what I do.... I LOVE being a part of the happiest day in people's lives.  What better way to celebrate that than with cake?
Thank you Dave for the great video. Thank you Maren for letting me be a part of your wedding.  If you want to see all of Dave's comments on the video.. click here to view his blog.

Special Event Series #7-- Witches, Witches, Witches

This is the last cake in our Special Event Series.  This cake is a super fun idea if you want to do something very unique and individualized for everyone at your party.  Whether it's 50 people or 10... an personalized or individual cake is a real treat and lets your guests know how special they are.
These individual witch cakes were made for an annual witches tea to celebrate halloween a couple weeks ago.  The host of this party has been throwing witches tea's now for 11 years and she has got the magic touch. All her friends look forward to this party all year long.  When I went to deliver the witch display.. her house was filled with halloween decor, fancy halloween dishes set for a 5 course meal for 50 of her closest "witch" friends (no paper at this house... ALL glass ware.. can you imagine the clean up?)  She dedicated one room just for the witch cake display and let everyone take a witch home with them after the party.
Creativity is the key for individual cakes.  Whether it's little people like in this picture, or small mini cakes in various shapes and designs... your guests will oohhh and awwww when they get their own cake.
These little witches not only looked great... they tasted great too!
    Color coded with their dresses, the guests could choose from raspberry lemonade cake with a lemon cream cheese filling, pumpkin chocolate chip cake with a spiced cream cheese buttercream or a chocolate mint truffle cake with mint ganache.

Special Event Series #6-- More Kid Birthdays

What little boy hasn't dreamed of becoming an astronaut?  This little guy wanted a "space" birthday party for his #8.  I had a blast having a mini "consultation" with him to go over the idea's he wanted for his cake. It's always really fun when I get to meet with kids to talk cake.  They feel so important and they get really excited to see that they are going to have an extra special cake.. just for them.  Kids are only kids for a short time.. I LOVE being able to help make their birthdays unforgettable.

Special Event Series #5-- First Birthday Cakes

Once your a first time mom, you realize that there is not many more important events than your childs first birthday... for some of us... it's ALMOST as important as our wedding day... (OK.. not really.. but we act like it).  I am guilty of this myself.  My first little baby had a killer Baby Einstein birthday party with more friends invited than I think was could fit in my house.  But... it's their first birthday... and it's gotta be big! 
There are so many adorable ways to do a first birthday cake. You can re-create their favorite toy or their favorite character, or you can make it whimsical, kid like and full of fun!
Full of fun is how I depict this cake made for an adorable little baby girl.  Her mom is super stylin with everything she does, wears and buys.. I knew the cake had to be over the top!  Mom put the cute tuille "skirts" around the bottom and top of the cake and made it even extra "girly".  The cupcake on top easily came off for an individual cake for the birthday girl to sink her hands into!

Special Event Series #4-- Graduation Cakes

Graduations are not only an exciting time, but also a wonderful accomplishment that needs to be recognized in a big way!
Graduation cakes can become the hit of the party if they are custom designed with graduate in mind.  This cake is a perfect example of that.  A previous client called me up and said she was throwing a graduation party for her daughters best friend and needed a "cosmotology" cake.  She gave me an idea and this is what I came up with.  Hair Dryer & hair brush made from rice cereal treats, covered in fondant.  The basket is my signature flavor... Orange Velvet.  And the Paul Mitchell Bottles... edible paper wrapped in fondant.
It is super fun to make cakes that are this individualized.  It's all worth it when you see the smiles on the clients faces when you drop it off.
Wheather it's a cake full of hair supllies or an edible diploma... any type of cake for graduations are a real
"treat".

Special Event Series #3-- Anniversary Cakes

Celebrate an Anniversary..

This cake was for an adorable couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.  The cake was to them as a suprise from their sweet children.   The words... "I loved You Then as I Loved You Now" was a perfect quote to capture the many years these two people have shared together.

If you are planning an anniversary party.. a classic cake like this is always an elegant choice.  You can also try and look through old wedding photos of the couple and bring the cake picture into us and we can re-create their real wedding cake.  It's a fun touch that's sure to bring joyful tears!

Special Event Series #2- Kids Birthdays

Today I'm featuring a little boys dream cake.  Look at this loot! A pirates treasure fit for a kid.  Full of coins, jewels.. and of course... CANDY!!!
 A little "leather" technique and some edible dust powder makes this treasure chest come to life.  Not only does it look great with all the treats on top... the Chocolate Oreo Cake inside is just as yummy.  Chocolate Oreo is always a crowd pleaser.  Especially when little kids are around.  Tastes just like an oreo shake... what could be better than that?

Special Event Series-- Keepsake Cakes

Special Events other than weddings are also a great time to have cake. When was the last time you went to a birthday party where they didn't serve cake?   (uhhhhh????  probably never)
For the next few days, I'm going to spotlight cakes that are not geared for the bride to be... but for us regular ol folk who need a fabulous cake for a special event.

Cake #1 in our series is an adorable puppy cake for a little girl who is obsessed with dalmations.  Her whole birthday was a dog theme.  12 little 5 year olds acting like puppies for an hour an half! I bet mom was ready for that party to get over :)  The puppies are made out of gumpaste... a sugar dough that dries hard so it becomes a great keepsake for the birthday girl.

Linzi and Jared.... The Luckiest Engaged Couple in Utah

Linzi was the winner of the $100,000 wedding giveaway from the Bridal Extravaganza at LaCaille this past August.  Linzi and Jared.  They were able to have their whole wedding paid for... as well as use some of the best of the best here in Utah to be apart of their wedding.  It was a fairy tale wedding (as you can see from the fabulous photo from the one and only Swensen Photography)and I was so lucky to be apart of it.  Linzi and Jared were so fun to work with.  I really enjoyed the few times I got to meet with them and share in their excitement.  I wish them the best of luck with their marriage.

Must apologize for the bad photos.  I'll get some edited ones soon!  Linzi wanted butterflies cascading down her cake.  We finished the cake off with words that they picked out together for the fondant ribbon on the bottom of each tier.  And of course.... Jared got his trout!