I Dream of Cake
I am so excited about TBC's featured guest, the incredible and amazingly talented, Shinmin Li, Creator of I Dream of Cake. Shinmin is truly an artist and her designs are just that....a work of art! I had the pleasure of speaking with her and not only is she fabulous at what she does, she is also super nice! Please visit her site to see some of the most beautiful cakes that you could ever dream of.......Enjoy!
TBC: What inspires you as a designer?
SL: Like many other artists, I'm inspired by everything I see. I see the world through cake eyes. When I see a gown, I think cake. When I see paper stationary, I think cake. When I see the snowy caps of a mountain, I think cake. So I'm inspired by all the subtle nuisances in life.
TBC: What do you consider the most memorable event of your career to date?
SL: We created a 4' tall winter wonderland birthday cake for Gordon Getty, complete with snowy hills, a frozen lake, winter doves, snow mounds and hundreds of thousands of winter berries. Their cake, along with 800 mini mounds served 800 guests.
TBC: Please talk about the current trends in the cake design industry.
SL: I do think that we are the leaders in setting cake trends. In fact, Modern Bride presented us with a Trend Setter award. I encourage Brides to pull in various designs that are important to their personal wedding style. And invariably one of those inspirations is their invitation, which makes me happy because I was trained as a graphic designer. I simply love applying graphic art to my cakes.
TBC: What are you doing to change or influence the trends in the design of wedding cakes?
SL: Each team member of I Dream of Cake is an accomplished artist. We use my signature methods to create not just yummy cake, but a piece of art. We apply classic art techniques to our cakes the way an artist would approach a painting or sculpture. We in other words, we are bringing a much higher level of artwork to cake making.
TBC: What is your favorite cake and filing and what is your most requested flavor?
SL: Asking which flavor I like best is like asking which one of my children do I love most. I love them all, almost equally. The most popular flavor for weddings is Vanilla Cake with Caramel Swirl. Our Toasted Almond Cake with Aromatic Almond Cream comes in close second. But Chocolate Fudge Cake with Organic Raspberries is hands down the most popular birthday cake.
TBC: Who or what do you attribute your success?
SL: Well, it's hard to speak of one's own success. I'm not sure if I dare call it success, however, I do attribute my passion to my art and patisserie education. Also my parents named me Shinmin, which literally means the heart leading the mind. So I guess I was born to be passionate and creative.
Okay Guys......let's Dream of Cake!
"Bridal Heel"...isn't this the coolest!
"Prada" Handbag! Yes guys, it is a cake....amazing!
"True Religion Jeans"
"Kelly"...I am loving the handbags!
Simply Beautiful......."Green Spring"
Oh my gosh....how lovely is this...."Peony"
"Art Deco Hexagon"
"Beethoven"....check out the details, Shinmin you are amazing!
"Buddha"
"Chinese Fan"
"Eiffel"
"Kala"
Shinmin, thanks so much for stopping by the cafe today....your designs are amazing and this has truly been a wonderful treat....I only wish that I could be there to taste them!!!
Oooo... these cakes are stunning. I love the paris cake but those purses... I wouldn't want to eat them... they are so pretty.
Thanks for the post, Janie.
miss you
xox
Posted by: Glamour This! by Kelly | February 26, 2008 at 06:16 AM
Wow! These cakes don't even look real! I want to sample each and every one...but I am not sure where to make my first slice! Amazing!!!
Posted by: Janelle | February 26, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Wow. Thats all I can say! Those cakes are stunnning!!!
Posted by: Heidi @ Zenadia Design | February 26, 2008 at 09:33 AM
WOW! These are out of this world!!! Looks like she can make any cake beyond your wildest dreams!!!
Posted by: Wish! | February 26, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I liked the "True Religion Jeans"! But truly, all these cakes are all so beautiful and look so real, I wouldn't want to cut it, less eat it. Great job Shinmin you are an amazing artist! Thanks Janie for posting these cakes, they take my breath away!
Posted by: Rocio | February 26, 2008 at 11:01 AM
wow these cakes are incredibly impressive -- i've seen a lot of bakers do the whole shoe/handbag thing but not with that level of detail and impeccable craftsmanship! amazing =)!
Posted by: phyllis | February 26, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Absolutely amazing cakes - I am always on the lookout for innovative twists and boy-oh-boy, these cakes are just exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you this post and all your great posts!
Posted by: Kendall | February 27, 2008 at 05:25 AM