THE BRIDE'S CAFE

Meet Anne Heap of Pink Cake Box

I'm excited about our featured guest today...the beautiful and oh-so-talented Anne Heap of Pink Cake Box.  Anne's specializes in custom wedding cakes...cookies.... and cupcakes....her work has been featured in countless wedding publications AND she has been featured on Food Network Cake Challenge....Way To Go Anne!  Anne also has a fabulous blog...make sure you check it out!!

Anne took a little time out of her busy schedule to stop by the cafe and share a little "411" with us on Pink Cake Box and I'm so glad she did...so without further ado...I give you Anne....Enjoy!

The beautiful Anne Heap!

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

AH:  Seeing the customers faces light up when they see their cake for the first time!

TBC:  What has been the highlight of your career to date?

AH:  Participating in the Food Network Challenge....(both the good and bad parts of it!)

TBC:  What are the most popular flavors among your clients?

AH:  Chocolate with Raspberry Chambord and Red Velvet/Pink Velvet with lemon cream cheese.

TBC:  What are some of the questions that you ask a bride during the initial interview that help decide on the design of her wedding cake?

AH:

1. What colors will be used?
2. What types and colors of flowers are you using?
3. Is there a theme for the wedding?
4. Is it an informal or formal event, (indoor or outdoor)?
5. What does your dress look like?
6. Do you have something specific in mind?
7. Will there be other desserts, and where will the cake be displayed?

TBC:  What time-line should a bride give herself when looking for the cake designer?

AH:  The time-line depends on the size of the wedding and the design of the cake.  If the couple has a large wedding or are looking for an intricately designed cake, then they should ensure they start their search early.  Generally speaking, I would recommend a few months - ideally at least 6 months before the big day.

TBC:  What details of the wedding play an important part of  the design of the cake?

AH:  The flowers, colors, location of wedding (indoor versus outdoor), the couple's personalities and preferences, and of course the budget.

TBC:  There are so many beautiful cakes to choose from, what advice would you give to a bride when trying to decide on one.

AH:  Usually I'll tell brides to choose elements from cakes and then I'll work to incorporate those design elements into the cake.  We also get inspiration from the couple's invitations, i.e . monogram, colors, decorations.

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her cake designer?  I have had some of my clients tell me that the cake was beautiful but the cake wasn't good or that it tasted great but it wasn't a pretty cake.

AH:  They should look for a designer with a large portfolio, testimonials from customers and of course tasting samples of cake.  The designer should listen to the client's needs and be willing to work with them.

Now let's check out some of Anne's beautiful designs......

The "Blooming Wedding Cake" was featured in Elegant Bride magazine...So beautiful....simply charming Anne...I love it!

Now how cute is this..........

Yes...it's a cake...this is so amazing guys!!!

 

Anne...thank you for stopping by the cafe today...your work is truly stunning.....my only wish is to be able to taste them all!!  We look forward to your next visit at TBC...have a wonderful wedding season!

Confetti Cakes

I am so excited about TBC's guest today....the beautiful and oh-so-talented Elisa Strauss of Confetti Cakes.  Elisa is an amazing cake artist...her cakes are truly one-of-a-kind!  Elisa's sculptured designs have been featured in top publications and Confetti Cakes won the Food Network's Extreme Cake Challenge....way to go Elisa!!  And more exciting news from Elisa...she just launched a new blog...so please make sure you check it out to see all the "yummy inspirations" that are sure to come!  Now guys, check out my interview with Elisa and her incredible cakes....Enjoy!! 

Elisa.....our featured guest!

TBC:  What inspires you?

ES:  Everything!  From textile design (that was my old career) to architecture, the lace on a bride's dress or even the couple's wedding invitation.  To me, the most important aspect of the wedding cake is that it fits with the individual couple.  That is why we make all of the cakes custom designed.

TBC:  What has been the highlight of your career to date?

ES:  I would be lying if I didn't say winning the Food Network's EXTREME cake challenge last April!  That was huge!  But I was just named one of America's Top Ten Pastry Chefs by Pastry Art and Design Magazine (it comes out this August).  So that is a huge honor to be considered with so many great chefs.  Launching my first book last May was great too!

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

ES:  Monday mornings when we hear from the clients how happy the cake made their event.  Sometimes I will even get an email on Sunday morning!

TBC:  How are you changing the wedding cake industry?

ES:  I hope that after doing this for almost a decade, I have helped people understand that wedding cakes do not just look good but they taste great!  There is a horrible misconception that an incredibly decorated cake can not taste good!  That is why we make everything from scratch.

TBC:  What is the most popular flavor among your clients?

ES: It varies based on season and the type of feel the clients are going for.  We have done delicious coconut and banana wedding cakes, more recently we have done a ton of red velvet and chocolate always remains one of our most popular flavors!  I love that couples are willing to take a risk and steer away from just a white on white wedding cake, (of course that can still be very beautiful and delicious too).

TBC:  What advice can you share with our brides when selecting their cake vendor?

ES: The most important advice is to taste the cake and look through their portfolio.  Baking, building and delivering a wedding cake is no small task.  So you need to make sure they have a great tasting cake and a great reception.  Talk to other clients who have used them, word of mouth is the best resource.

TBC:  Tell us a little about your personal life, we want to get to know you a little.

ES: I was just a bride myself...my husband Marc and I had an amazing wedding this past October....and yes....Confetti Cakes was responsible for all the desserts!  We made three wedding cakes, cookies, cupcakes and brownies for all our guests!

Elisa's first publication...I love the cover with the handbag cake....truly a work of art!

Yes Guys....this is a cake...Elisa you are AWESOME!

Elisa's sushi cake....AMAZING!

Thanks Elisa for stopping by the cafe today....your work is simply beautiful...I only wish I was there to do a "tasting"!

Meet Ron Ben-Israel

I am so excited to feature the amazingly beautiful cakes by "The Master Cake-Maker", Ron Ben-Israel. Ron designs the most amazing "sugar flowers" for his cakes and they are truly perfection!  His amazingly one-of-a-kind cakes have been published in countless wedding publications and has been featured on many TV and movie specials....his worked has been described as the "Manolo Blahnik" of wedding cakes.  I had the pleasure to interview Ron and guys....he is oh-so-nice.......so let's get started as he shares a little 411 with us......Enjoy!!!

"Master Cake-Maker"......Ron Ben-Israel!

TBC:  Who or what do you attribute your success?

RBI:  The style-conscious brides who trust me with creating their wedding cake.  Also, the challenges and encouragement of magazine editors.

TBC:  Please talk about current trends in the cake design industry.

RBI:  It seems that there is a huge emphasis on artistic interpretation and the individual expression of cake designers.  This worries me, as I'm a baker first. I will not attempt flights-of-fancy in icing, unless I had the technical dexterity first.

TBC:  What are you doing to change or influence the trends in the designs of wedding cakes?

RBI:  I've been teaching the career students at The French Culinary Institute in New York, and also conducting Master Classes around the country.  It's exciting to see some of my ideas and visions being carried by new interpreters of the pastry arts.

TBC:  What do you consider the most memorable event of your career to date?

RBI:  Providing The Plaza Hotel's 100 year old birthday cake.  It was 12" high, and fed over 1,500 celebrants.  We worked with the architects and restorers to produce an accurate confectionery replica of this famous landmark building in New York City.  I'm looking forward to many stylish weddings in the Glamour's Ballroom when it opens this Spring.

TBC:  What inspires you as a designer?

RBI:  Nature...I love making sugar flowers, Fashion...the bridal gown is always something I ask about, Architecture...the location and surrounding and the season!

TBC:  What is your favorite cake and filing?

RBI:  My current favorite is our white cake infused with Ginger Syrup and layered with Apple Butter Cream and Candied Hazelnuts.

Now let's check out some of Ron's beautiful creations!!!!

I think this one maybe my favorite....so beautiful and oh-so-elegant..and the sugar flowers are perfect....hard to believe that they are made of sugar!

I love all the detail work and the sugar flowers are amazing!

WOW...simply beautiful!

 

Thanks Ron for stopping by the cake today...your cakes are oh-so-beautiful...I only wish I was there to taste them!!

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!!!

Sugarbelle Cakes

I am so excited about today's feature.  I received an e-mail from Kristen & Jen, the oh-so-lovely and talented ladies of Sugarbelle Cakes, and immediately made a visit to their site and OH MY GOSH.....how beautiful are their designs.  I only wish I could have been there to sample all the "sweets"!!!!!  They have been so kind to share a little "Sugarbelle Style" with us!!!

TBC:  Where do you find your inspiration when designing?

K&J: Everywhere!  We can find inspiration walking down the street.  Anything from a china pattern to wallpaper, wrapping paper to ribbon, fabrics to invitations - it's all inspiring!  Mostly what inspires us are the people we have the opportunity to work with.  To get to know them and what they are all about is at the heart of every cake we design.

TBC:  What time line should a bride give herself when looking for her cake designer?

K&J:  The sooner the better!  You'll hear 2 to 4 months a lot, but we are a boutique cake studio and only take on a certain amount of cakes per weekend in order to give our clients the personal attention that they deserve and that we want to offer them.  So, for us we would say at least 6 months.  We have people booking sometimes an entire year in advance.

TBC:  What advice would you give a bride when trying to decide on the perfect cake?

K&J:  Brides and grooms should choose a cake that reflects their personality and style.  After we meet with a couple and they decide they would like to work with us, we do several sketches for them to choose from.  This gives them an opportunity to select a cake design that was created specifically for them.

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her cake designer?

K&J:  First, definitely book a tasting and consultation.  Any reputable cake designer is going to be happy to provide you with samples to taste.  Also, be sure that the designer has some examples of their work, not just photographs.  Usually these are in the form of dummy cakes.

Now check out some of Sugarbelle's wonderful creations!!!!!!!!!!!

How beautiful......Daisy Wedding Cake!!!!!!!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the Tulip Cake!!!!!!!  How charming is this!!!!!!!

The Cup-Cake Tower.........simply beautiful!!!!!!!!  How fun this will be at your wedding!!!!!!!

Bridal Shower petit fours.....to cute!!!!!!!!

Cherry Blossom petit fours........love these!!!!!!!

"Daisy Wedding Cookie"

"Kate Spade Cake Cookie"

"Polka-dot Heart Favor Cookie"

Thanks ladies for stopping by, what a wonderful and "sweet" way to end the week!!!  Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!!!

Win Your Dream Wedding Cake!

 

As part of Brides magazine first-ever spread devoted to America's 50 Most Beautiful Wedding Cakes, Brides is giving readers the chance to win their favorite wedding cake!  All you have to do is vote!!!!  Go to www.Brides.com/cakes to win your dream confection!!!!!!  Good luck Guys!!!!!!!!  Below are 3 of the 50 to vote on!!!!!!!

WOW, what a fun cake guys!!!!!!!!!!!......... cake by Colette's Cake!

I love the details of this cake, oh-so-beautiful!!!....... cake by Sylvia Weinstock!

Simply beautiful!!!!!!!.......cake by Cheryl Kleinman!!!!!!

Sylvia Weinstock Cakes

I am so happy to have as our guest today, The Queen of Cakes, Sylvia Weinstock.  I had the chance to speak with Ms. Weinstock a few weeks ago, and guys, she is oh-so-sweet and a most charming and gracious lady!!!  We all know what beautiful cakes she creates and I'm sure all brides dream about having a Sylvia Weinstock cake at their wedding.  I'm so honored to have her stop by the cafe and spend a little time with us.  So without further ado........I give you......Sylvia Weinstock!!!!!!!  Enjoy!!!!!

TBC:  What inspires you as a designer?

Ms. Sylvia: Everything inspires me, be it a vase, a motif, a carving of a chair, jewelry, etc.  Design is all around us.

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

Ms. Sylvia:  I love meeting my clients and creating their cakes.  Their joy and appreciation is a great reward.  Upon meeting a bride, we take into account her budget, decor, menu, elements of her gown, season of the year, indoor/outdoor event, etc.

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her cake designer?

Ms. Sylvia:  Remember, you get what you pay for.  Be sure to taste the cake at the baker's shop, see what you will get!  Check over the design you want.  Book your cake with a Board of Health recognized shop.  Plan ahead and check with the baker as to their preferred time-line.

WOW........Simply elegant and soooo beautiful!!!!!!

Ms. Sylvia, thanks so much for stopping by the cafe  and sharing some great expert advice with us!!!!!!

Today's Menu: April Reed's Cakes!

I was so excited for Monday to arrive to share with you the beautiful wedding cakes of April Reed.  Oh my gosh........where do I start.  April' s cakes are amazingly beautiful and I wish I could have been in her studio doing this interview because I would have sampled them all!  Thanks April for sharing a little bit of your design world with us..........okay guys, I give you April.......Enjoy!!

TBC:  What inspires April Reed?

April:  Happy clients and inspiring others.  With regards to design, I am inspired by nature.  Of course, there are no original thoughts.  Every perfectly paired color, shape, every stunning dress, building, etc., was reasoned by nature first.  If you open your eyes and really look, a "How To" on design is everywhere.

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

April:  Eating cake.... Playing with colored markers.... And Eating cake!

TBC:  What are some of the questions that you ask a bride during the initial interview that help you decide on the design of her wedding cake?

April:  There are two basic questions I ask all of my clients during our meeting: (1) do you like contrasting colors or complimentary and (2) do you like cakes that are short and squat or tall and towering.  Really basic stuff but it sets up a framework for me to work within.

The rest is fleshed out by listening to the client.  What does she gush about?  What is her aesthetic?  What does she hate?  Interestingly, if we can get off the topic of cake and get onto design in general, this tells me a lot more then flipping through a portfolio and saying, "love this, hate this".  This is how we go from complementary or contrasting, to arriving at a design that was always her cake.

TBC:  What time-line should a bride give herself when looking for the cake designer?

April:  Depends on the time of year and geographic location but here's a good guideline:  four months is good, six months to be safe, as soon as humanly possible if you are getting married in popular months like September or October.

TBC:  What details of the wedding play an important part of the design of the cake?

April:  Decor, Decor, Decor!

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her cake designer?

April:  Eat their cake!  Is it good?  It should be the BEST piece of cake you've ever eaten.  Then move onto design.  We've all seen beautiful cakes and been disappointed when we ate them and we've all seen forgettable cakes that tasted wonderful.  I've always found this problem so puzzling; good tasting cake and spectacular design is not a hard intersection to hit.

I'm flattered, honored and proud that my designs are enjoyed, copied, etc. but, they taste phenomenal (I truly don't mean to sound arrogant).  THAT'S what I'm most proud of.  I had a client a couple of years ago who could not save her top tier because the guests demanded to eat it.  That's my proudest moment.  That's why I do it day in and day out.

April at work!  Check out her "design tools"!

Simply stunning!  So elegant!

Check out the detail of the peony, just simply beautiful!

 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the "Deco Cake"!  The mix of the blue and chocolate and the little ranunculus, how sweet!  Photo courtesy of Michael Dwornik.

One of my very favorites from April's designs..."Magnolia Cake".  I love the simplicity and elegance of  April's cakes!  Thanks April for starting our week off with your beautiful designs.......yes, April will definitely be back at the cafe!  Photo courtesy of Michael Dwornik.