Thursday 28 November 2013

Cake International

A stunning parade of cakes 
A couple of weeks ago, I joined my friend Georgie and some other cakey-bakey friends in Birmingham for Cake International.  We were looking forward to a day of cakes galore and plenty of shopping, too.  As it turned out, if you want to munch on cake you need to visit a wedding show and not a cake one, as the only sample I was offered was flavoured royal icing!  We did do plenty of shopping, though...

There'd been a lot of fuss in the media about the almost life-size Captain Jack Sparrow cake, so we headed down to the competition cake area first of all.  Now, what you have to keep in mind is that not all of the competition cakes are 100% cake.  Some of the competition classes do allow for the use of polystyrene dummies, however, some--like the novelty cakes and handbags--are 100% cake and no supports are allowed.  Even so, the level of skill displayed was astonishing!


Captain Jack was very impressive--you can look at progress photos in Tasty Cakes' Facebook photo album--but the Ratatouille cake just edged it for me.  It was more imaginative and playful.  Both cakes displayed a lot of skill, but Ratatouille was just more fun.

Who can resist a basket full of puppies?
I think everyone who saw this basket of puppies did a double-take.  They were incredibly life-like, especially the Labrador in the front.  Just gorgeous.

Clockwise Noah's Ark, Pumba from The Lion King, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ice Age
I do love a good novelty cake, and there were some real crackers on display.  Pumba was incredibly detailed, and I loved his cross-eyed expression as he stared at the bugs.  And Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!  Now there's a film you don't see very often these days.  I liked the bravery in doing a stylished version of the car rather than trying to make it ultra-realistic.  Very brave in a cake show where realism is highly prized.

The wedding cakes were my favourite section of all.  There were so many amazing cakes on display, all showing off a dizzying array of techniques.


This gorgeous pink and green cake is possibly the prettiest cakes I've ever seen.  I came straight home and ordered a bead/pearl mould so that I can have a go at re-creating the middle tiers.  So. Much. Technique.  It was my personal best in show.

Nightmare Before Christmas wedding cake

This was such a cute cake design.  The cake, which looked absolutely normal at first glance, slowly revolved on a plate and then revealed a romantic proposal at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in a cut-away segment.  Beautifully done!

A woodland wedding
I watched part of Mitch Turner's demonstration but then decided that since I already knew how to make Swiss meringue buttercream, I could better spend my time shopping.  I came away with The Mat--yet to experiment with this--a turntable, a scalpel for super-neat edges, and a few other pieces of equipment.  I had really, really wanted to invest in some Cake Lace, but luckily the crowds were ten deep at their stand.  (I say "luckily" as it is an incredibly expensive product, and I'm not sure I could afford to fall in love with it!!)

I really wanted to watch Mary Berry's demonstration, but quickly came to the conclusion that I should have taken a step-ladder with me.  The cheer when she came on stage nearly lifted the roof.  Next time I'll grab a seat earlier...much earlier.


If I've whetted your appetite for cake and you want even more, Jenny, Alice and Bess also went to Cake International and have written lovely posts about the day.  I'm already looking forward to going back next year!

twitter | pinterest | instagram | bloglovin'
SHARE:

18 comments

  1. So very much cake!
    I'm really not a baker by any stretch of the imagination but I think I might just love Cake International.
    Fab photos Ang
    M x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved it. It was a great day out, despite the Look But Don't Nibble approach to the cakes!

      Delete
  2. Ooh, and they had a Nightmare Before Christmas cake!! What a display! Each one impressed me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was an awesome cake! It was so tall and detailed!! (Wouldn't like the job of delivering it to the venue, though!)

      Delete
  3. I certainly get irked whilst other folks consider issues that they just do not realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , other people can take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. ThanksWelcome to Jason's Holidays

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for such kinda informative post and your post looks very interesting for me.home renovations

    ReplyDelete
  5. I recently visit your site and read your blog. It is well equipped and perfect. well done! you are dedicated and determined toward your work. let me tell you about my wholesale business of Bath Bomb Packaging Boxes. We offer aesthetically designed Bath Bomb Packaging Boxes at discounted rates. Dog Cooling Mat,

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been playing around with Sugru for a couple of weeks and I love it! It is one of those things that once you have it, you think of a million uses for it.Luchthavenvervoer Gent

    ReplyDelete
  7. I certainly get irked whilst other folks consider issues that they just do not realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , other people can take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks Custom Paint By Number Kits

    ReplyDelete
  8. Honestly speaking, I feel like a very unfortunate person because two days ago I needed these types of MCQs but I could not find them at that time. But, I do not want it to happen again, and I hope I will find the Case Study Writers Uk on time so that I won’t have to regret it again.esthetician continuing education

    ReplyDelete
  9. Absolutely fantastic posting! Lots of useful information and inspiration, both of which we all need!Relay appreciate your work.Lusitania Commercial Residential Contracting

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like your post and furthermore like your website in light of the fact that your website is quick and everything in this website is great.spa equipments list

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's abnormal this is noteworthy, and that it ought to be a reason for festivity when another game in a well known kind appears to be glad to be what it is. In any case, the ongoing history of the MMOG is an account of games got between crowds, brands and classes.pressotherapy machine for sale uk

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm glad I found this web site, I couldn't find any knowledge on this matter prior to.Also operate a site and if you are ever interested in doing some visitor writing for me if possible feel free to let me know, im always look for people to check out my web site. cryo facial equipment

    ReplyDelete
  13. This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article.Transfers in Israel

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is a fantastic, inspiring post. I'm pretty impressed with your nice job. You placed some useful details into it. Keep up the good work. Continue posting. Watching for the next article to be read.useful resource

    ReplyDelete
  15. The details that you are trying to share in this post is really informative for many peoples. But the lesser information that is available makes it really difficult to understand it for readers. I think you need to add more details to make it understandable to the users.click here

    ReplyDelete
  16. A bowl of mixed berries with a dollop of whipped cream is a refreshing and satisfying dessert. NangsQueen

    ReplyDelete

Blogger Template Created by pipdig