Wednesday, November 26, 2014

National Cake Day 2014–November 26, 2014

National cake day collage

Hi there

I’m back, it’s been a while I know but I’m back with a bang !!!  Today we celebrate National Cake Day and as with National Cookie Day I’ve asked last years profilees to nominate this years awesome cakers plus a few more of my favourites! So grab a piece of cake, sit back and enjoy learning about these awesome cakers!

Shawna McGreevy - McGreevy Cakes

Hi there guys!  Tell the batch I said thanks so much for the nomination!!  I'm flattered and completely honored!

Social Media Outlets:

Ok, on to answering the questions...

1.  When did you start baking? I started baking seriously about three years ago, right before I launched my business.  

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my FB page soon after that, and then got my blog going about a year later.  So I've been blogging for about two years now.

3.  Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Welp, that one's kinda sorta maybe self explanatory in this case. ;)

4.  What is your favorite dessert other than cake? Brownies.  I'm addicted.  No... like SERIOUSLY addicted.  It's a problem when they're in the house.

5.  What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? My favorite Facebook page at the moment has got to be Shoe Bakery.  Have you SEEN their heels?  In love.

6.  Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? I had not.  (But I may be living under a rock, at the moment.  Well, four of them, actually.  My babies keep me busy. ;) )

7.  If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Either Karen Portaleo or Mike McCarey.  Crazy talent... and Mike makes me laugh.  And I do love to laugh. :)

And here's a picture...

mcgreevycakes

 

Violet Lin Tran - The Violet Cake Shop

Hi there!

What an honour!  Wow...really curious as to who nominated me but regardless I am so flattered and thrilled as that is one impressive list from last year!

Below are my answers...thanks so much!

First off tell us your name and all your social media outlets.

1. When did you start baking? I started baking after my son was born in 2005 but didn't start decorating until after making my hubby's 40th milestone birthday cake in 2008.  After that first cake, there was no looking back...I'd found my passion!!

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I first started my FB page back in 2009 as a way to showcase my cakes for potential local clients.  Later in 2013 I discovered the social and networking side of FB in the caking community and was awakened to the concepts of sharing and "share days" and my page likes soared soon after.  I used to blog back when I first started but kind of fell off it after I got busy with regular orders.  There was about 5 years there that I did not blog at all, to the point that I forgot my user id and password for my original blog so now have had to start a new one.  So if you see the other one, which is blank by the way as I deleted everything at one point, you will know why lol. 

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I wanted to have a name that would be different and memorable.  I remember that a lot of places had very normal names with some variation of their own name combined with Cakes, Bakery, Cake Shop or Cake Design at the end.  So I decided to do a play on my name and make it like it's an actual shop in that colour.  I always said I'd be prepared with the perfect name if ever I opened up a storefront and that I would definitely decorate in shades of purple.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake? I don't actually like eating cake really.  I am not much of a dessert person surprisingly.  I prefer savoury treats but when I do get a craving for something sweet, it has to be ice cream.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? My favourite blog is Cake Geek Magazine.  I like that they feature cakes that have something in common.  It's always a treat to have one of my cakes featured in one of their posts but I also love to browse the cakes they share and find new artists to admire and follow.

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? No...to be honest I rarely pay attention to these "special" holidays although it can sometimes be a bit of fun when you hear about one and find out what it is all about.

7. If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? The one I would most want to meet (there really are so many others that it is hard to narrow it down), is probably Nadia from ChokoLate.  She seems like such a sweet person and I LOVE her modelling chocolate figures and would totally want to learn some of her tricks and tips as that is one area I would love most to improve on.

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake!

I hope more than one ok lol...it is so hard to choose just one but I have narrowed it down to three =D

violetcollage

Again, thanks so much for the honour.  I would love to know when it will be up on the blog so I can read all about it and share with all my friends and FB fans.

 

Erin Gardner - Wild Orchid Baking Company

Hi! 

Thank you so much for including me in this! I'm flattered that other cakers would nominate me. :) My answers follow. Please let me know if you need anything else! 

First off tell us your name and all your social media outlets: 

1. When did you start baking?  Well, the first thing I remember baking was the chocolate chip cookie recipe off the back of the bag of Tollhouse chocolate chips! Professionally, I started baking about 13 years ago. 

2. When did you start blogging/FB page?  I started my business FB page about 6 years ago when I started my business. I kept a note pinned to my desk that said, "Tell someone everyday." And that's how I slowly worked social networking into my daily schedule. Now it's routine. (If not totally taken over my day at times!)

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?  All of my social media pages are named after my business. The business name came from my love of fine ingredients and sugar flowers. The wild orchid is the source of the vanilla bean. Plus, it has a romantic, Romeo & Juliet style story attached to it's origin. Fine cakes, sugar flowers, and a little romance - it was a perfect fit! I included the whole story on the info page of my website. 

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake?  Oooooh, so tough. I'd actually put cake towards the bottom of my favorites list. (I know, right?!?) When I'm looking for a treat, I'll usually go for something crunchy, caramely, and salty. I also love cookies!

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment?  Wow, another tough one! I follow so many that each do such wonderful and unique things. I must say, I do look forward to The Cake Girls project posts. I've always admired there work. The DIY projects that they think up are just brilliant. 

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today?  I had not! I suppose there's a day for everything, so why not cake? 

7. If you could meet any baker, would would it be?  Again, really tough to pick just one! I'm up here in NH and don't get to run into too many other cakers. :) I'd love to meet Sylvia Weinstock or Collette Peters. Both masters of their styles. 

Don't forget to attach a picture of your favorite cake!

Well, this is a bit like picking a favorite child.... I could attach a dozen pictures for a dozen reasons. Sugar flowers are what drew me out of the world of fine dining into cake design, so I suppose I'll go with a few of those. Again, because I could never pick just one. :) 

wildorchidbakery

Liz Marek - Artisan Cake Company

Wow awesome! Please see my answers below! Thank you!

First off tell us your name and all your social media outlets.

1. When did you start baking? I started baking in 2007 as a hobby but started professionally in 2009 after I quit my job as a graphic designer to decorate cakes full-time. 

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started blogging almost immediately. I naturally enjoy sharing my process and I have a desire to share whatever I learn with others so we can be excited together lol

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I named my blog and fb page the same as my business name. My sister actually chose the word "artisan" for me because the meaning. a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.

  • synonyms:
    craftsman, craftswoman, craftsperson; More
  • · (of food or drink) made in a traditional or non-mechanized way using high-quality ingredients. The definition of artisan really describes my views on creating delicious and beautiful cakes.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake? Ice cream. Hands down. Lucky for me it goes great with cake :-D

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I am in love with Avalon Cakes. She always is coming up with amazing new ways to do something. I wish I could live in her brain for a minute. She is a cake revolutionary. 

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? No I havent but I'm really happy to hear it exists!! 

7. If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? I have been FB friends with Kara Andretta of Karas Couture Cakes for a while now but have yet to meet her in person! Funny how you can get so close to someone through the magic of technology but nothing beats a big old fashioned hug! I can't wait to meet her face to face at Cake Fest in February! 

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake! I don't think I have a favorite cake but here is my latest favorite! My entry for the Threadcakes contest that I enter every year. I learned a lot making this cake and really stepped outside of my comfort zone! Super fun!

tropicalia_glow_BOTH artisan cake

Alyssa Hall - Cuteology Cakes

Hi! 

What a wonderful surprise this email was! I am honored, and would love to be a part of this! Thank you! :) Below are the questions and answers for you. Please let me know if you need anything else. :) 

First off tell us your name and all your social media outlets.

1. When did you start baking? I've always enjoyed baking desserts, but didn't start baking cakes professionally until about four years ago. 

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my Facebook page just over 4 years ago. 

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Before I started my cake business, I was a 2nd grade teacher. I loved decorating my classroom and making it bright, fun, and cute. Some of my fellow teachers started calling me "Cuteologist" as a nickname. When I started taking classes on cake decorating, I would bring the cakes I made into the teacher's lounge each week. Naturally, they started calling them "Cuteology Cakes." When I officially started my business, it just seemed like the perfect name. :) 

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake? I love ice cream and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! 

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Oh gosh, I have so many blogs and FB pages that I absolutely love. I will just name the first few that come to mind, knowing that I am probably forgetting so many that I love... Blissfully Sweet, Peggy Does Cake, Royal Bakery, Mike's Amazing Cakes, Always with Cake!, Kidacity, Bliss Pastry, Man Bakes Cake, Avalon Cakes... I could go on and on. I love being inspired by others, and appreciate everyone's unique style. 

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? I have! Who doesn't love a day that celebrates cake? :) 

7. If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? That is a tough one! It would have to be a tie between Peggy from Peggy Does Cake, and Lesley from Royal Bakery. I have become great friends with these ladies over FB, and would love to meet them both in person. I know we would spend the whole time laughing! 

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favorite cake! I have a hard time picking a favorite cake because I love different cakes I have made for various reasons. Some were made for very special people, some I love because I challenged myself, and others I just had so much fun making. 

I chose this cake because I think it sums up my personal style. 

cuteology

 

Dany Lind - Dany’s Cake

Hi! So exciting! .

1. When did you start baking? I started baking when I was really small, and was always ready to help in the kitchen. My favorite book was the 1977 Wilton Yearbook (I still have it!), and I could spend hours looking at cakes (and wondering why my mom couldn't make cakes like that! My poor mom!). I made all the family birthday cakes since I was around 12 years old, but didn't get serious about cake making until I had my own kids 15 years ago.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my FB page in 2010. I had been making lots of cakes for family & friends, and decided to relaunch my business. Cookies were new to me as a sales item at that time, but they brought in a lot more work than the cakes ... and still do.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I started a home business about 13 years ago when my oldest boys were small, and I picked "Dany's Cakes" as a name way back then. I never thought about using a different name when I started up my business again. I'd always hear, "Is that one of Dany's cakes?" Yup. Dany's Cakes. Even though I do mostly cookies now, I couldn't change my name because it is recognized locally.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake? I love all desserts, but I will always pick something with chocolate or PB. My favorite childhood dessert was my grandmother's peanut butter pie. I love a good pecan pie, too!

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? My favorite FB page ... that's so tough! I think the sweet lady who's work makes me swoon and zoom the most is Pricilla Unger at Memories of Home. I've been following her a long time & love her brain. Kara's Couture Cakes, Shannon Bond Cake Design & Sweet & Swanky Cakes are also favorites. @fireflyindia is one of my favs on IG right now ... gorgeous work.

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? No, I had never heard of National Cake Day before. My friend Laura Ewing (Cadillac Cookie) is always on top of whatever "National Day" it is, and I tease her about it. I'm sure SHE has heard of it!

7. If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Wow. I'm laughing at myself right now because I'm considering it like it's really going to happen. I would love to spend a week making sugar flowers with Jacqueline Butler at Petalsweet. Or a crazy flower-making day with James Roselle. I want to make flowers!

I had a really hard time picking a favorite, so I went with a fan favorite, which isn't my most technically difficult cake. It was a 25th Anniversary cake for a couple who never had a wedding cake, and my client let me design it & surprise her. When she saw it, she cried, then I cried ... it was a special cake.

danylind

Steph Lawshe - Sweet Little Morsels

Hi,

That's really awesome! Thank you so much :). Below are the answer's to your questions and I've also attached a picture of my favorite cake.

1. When did you start baking? I started baking when I was twelve or so. My mom would allow me to make box mix cake for fun. I really got into it about three years ago, when my sister asked me to make her wedding cake.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my FB page back in 2012 as a hobby, since I stayed at home with my kids and needed something fun to do.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? My best friend came up with the name. Every time I brought her a sweet treat, she would call it a "sweet little morsel". I liked the name, so I went with that.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake? One of my favorite' desserts is pie. I LOVE pie , especially chocolate cream pie and pecan pie. I usually make them during the holiday's. 

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? This is a tough question they are so many FB pages and blogs I love. My favorite FB page is Artisan Cake Company. Liz Marek always offers so many free tutorials and her cakes are just amazing and so inspiring. I also love the Cake Blog. It's really inspiring as well and I love seeing all the extremely talented cake artist that get featured on it. 

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? Yes I have.

7. If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? This is a hard choice, cause there are so many I would like to meet. My top two choices would be Ron Ben-Isarel and Jacqueline Butler . They both have really inspired my passion for making sugar flowers. I just love their work.

sweetlittlemorsels

Raewyn Read - Cakes by Raewyn

Thank you so much Karen!! I'm incredibly honoured to have been considered! I hope the following is okay :) xx

First off tell us your name and all your social media outlets.

1. When did you start baking?  I made my very first cake 3 and a half years ago for my youngest daughters first birthday. I had no clue where to even start so I researched YouTube and Facebook for every scrap of information I could find. To this day, I am stunned and extremely proud of how generous and sharing our Cake community is.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my Facebook page 3 years ago. It was purely to share my cakes with my family back in New Zealand. I never imagined getting into triple figures let alone six!! I remember my cousin made her husband 'like' my page to get me to 100 haha!

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I know....it's THE most boring and unoriginal name! Someone just recently kindly pointed out to me that it "wasn't terribly sophisticated" Haha! You're not kidding! Because I was just using it to share my cake pictures with my family, I didn't want to have to register a business name....and having your name in the title avoided that. I was never going to have a cake business you see....I'm a terrible business woman! Luckily people like my cakes and my students seem pretty happy with the way I teach ;)

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake? I LOVE Tiramisu and Cheesecake! Oh and Chocolate Mousse.......and Sticky Date Pudding......and Creme Brulee.....sorry....did you say just one?

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I LOVE Sweetopia, The Business of Baking Blog and Shawna's McGreevy Cakes Blog! I follow a ton of Facebook pages but some of my forever faves are Peggy Does Cake, Kidacity, The Greedy Baker, Corrie Cakes, Man Bakes Cake, The Baking Sheet, Rosie Cake Diva, Callicious Cakes, Inspired by Michelle, Verusca Walker, Way Beyond Cake by Mayen, Make Pretty Cakes, Sweet Ruby Cakes, The Australian Cake Decorating Network and Karen Portaleo Cake Artist <3

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? I have and I think it should be an International holiday with cake served for breakfast, lunch and dinner! :) 

7. If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? I have been incredibly lucky to have met or know nearly all my Cake Idols! However, I would love to one day meet the amazing Mike McCarey of Mike's Amazing Cakes and Michelle Wibowo of Michelle Sugar Art!

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake!  I'm HOPELESS at picking from my cakes as I find fault with everything BUT I'm sending you these three to choose from as I think they best represent me when I'm given free reign....they also say a lot about the fact I have no distinct style or medium. It's a bit like looking into the chaos and contradiction inside my head haha! 

Each one is a magazine submission, the first one with all the roses was just 6 months into my decorating career...I thought the 'invitation to submit' email had been sent to me by mistake ;)

cakesbyraewyn

Stephanie Dill – Dillicious Cakes

Thank you so much!!!

First off tell us your name and all your social media outlets.

1. When did you start baking? I made a few cakes my for children when they were little. Simple cakes. I had no idea cakes like you see now even existed! It was when my first grandson's birthday started to get close, that my daughter started looking online at cakes and convinced me I could make his cake.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my page in December of 2010 after 'meeting' and messaging with Peggy (Peggy Does Cakes), and she encouraged me to start a Facebook page. She's been a wonderful friend and an incredible influence on me since day 1.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?  My oldest daughter, the one who got me into this, was so encouraging all the time. She was always saying sweet things and bragging to her friends. One day she jokingly said my cakes were "Dill-icious" and I've been Dillicious Cakes since!

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake? That's a tough one. I love ice cream and pie. Really any flavor of either. I love the ice creams that are full of all sorts of goodies, but a delicious vanilla bean is just as good. Key lime pie is probably my favorite, but pumpkin pie comes in a close second. Oh...and cheesecake.  I loooove cheesecake. I told you this was hard!

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? That's even tougher. I have many that I check on a weekly or daily basis, but I have a few that are my true go to's when looking for particular things. I love Peggy Does Cake, of course, but then there's Royal Bakery, Rose Bakes, Man Bakes Cake, Not Just Cakes by Mayen, and McGreevy Cakes, along with so many others! I seriously could go on and on!

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? Yes!  I remember when your post came out last year and thinking what a GREAT day and what a fun way to celebrate!

7. If you could meet any baker, who would it be? That list is extremely long, and I hope to knock many off that list come February! Shawna McGreevy, Janet LaDue, and Mayen Orido are just a few people who have been wonderful mentors throughout this journey. I was fortunate to meet Lesley Wright and actually work with her at Peggy's house on my granddaughter's cake this year!

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake! This was my youngest daughter's birthday cake this year and is my favorite because it pushed me on so many levels to try multiple new techniques.

dilliciouscake

Mike McCarey – Mike’s Amazing Cakes

First off tell us your name and all your social media outlets.

1. When did you start baking?  I attended culinary school in Colorado after high school and have been baking ever since; about 34 years, total.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page?  The Mike's Amazing Cakes Facebook page was started in 2009, and I just started Instagram this year.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?  For Facebook, because it's the name of my business.  For Instagram, it's my name.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake?  Ice cream, especially gelato.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I'm enjoying exploring Instagram and discovering all the talented cake decorators.

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? I had not.

7. If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Renat Agzamov in Moscow, Russia

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake

Octopus and Moon-mikemccarey

Olga Phillips – Divine Cakes

Thank you so very much, Trilogy Edibles, it is an honor to be nominated and thank you for including me.

1. When did you start baking?
I started baking in March 2006 as a creative outlet. I was working as an Optical Engineer in a high tech company and needed something to relax with :)

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my Facebook page 2 years ago, thanks to my friend and colleague Lesley  from Royal Bakery.   She showed me the ropes :)

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Actually, my husband came up with the name Divine Cakes. I had to come around to like it myself, but I love it and can imagine anything else.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cake? Hmm... tough one... I love pies, cherry pies to be exact. A la mode, with vanilla bean ice cream. When it melts just enough to mix with cherry juice from the slice of pie and jumps into the spoon for me to enjoy.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I love Jane Zubova of Artcake.ru | Unique handmade cakes by Jane Zubova. I think she is the most incredible, clean and precise, versatile and unique artist!

6. Had you heard of National Cake Day before today? To be honest, no I have not! And it should considered a crime, punished by eating all the cake you want!

7. If you could meet any of baker, who would it be? Ron Ben-Isreal.  The classic flawless look of his creations take my breath away. And I just love how light reflects off of his head!

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your favourite cake!

divinecakesNerdy-wedding-cake

 

Well there you go, not a bad group of cakers at all right????????  Thanks everyone for taking part and for coming by to read about these amazing people.  All the pictures are copyrighted to the cake artist and they have so graciously allowed me to share them with you.  Please share this post so everyone can learn about National Cake Day and the amazingly talented individuals profiled here. 

Thanks for looking!

Posted by Unknown at 6:00 AM
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2 comments:

  1. April J HarrisNovember 27, 2014 at 6:21 AM

    Wonderful post, Karen! I really enjoyed 'meeting' all these brilliant cake bakers.

    ReplyDelete
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