Couture Cake Class

Several weeks ago I was delighted to attend a cake class in the Sydney CBD hosted by Couture Cake Classes. As many of my regular readers will know, I do love decorating with fondant! On this occasion the task was to recreate a decorated small round, one tier cake with stripes and a candle - very sweet in more ways than one ;)

First we were all provided with our cake, ready to be cut into 3 even(ish) layers and then brushed with syrup and ganached between the layers.

Creating a perfectly(ish, again!) ganached cake takes time, but it is important. During the class, Louise provided us with lots of tips and guidance to ensure a good foundation for the really fun part - decorating wtih fondant!

We then brush our cakes all over with syrup before moving on to colour our fondant ready for decorating.

We then roll out the white fondant to cover the cake before decorating with coloured fondant. We buff and smooth, buff and smooth until we have a nice even surface.

Then we transfer the cake to our fondant covered cake board and get set for adding the stripes and melted wax effect top.

Finished with a candle created by twisting thin fondant rolls around a bamboo skewer, our cakes are finished! It was a great feeling of accomplishment as everyone stood back and admired their work.

Thanks again to Sharon, Louise and Lilia for hosting such a wonderful and educational cake experience!

If you'd like to find out more about Couture Cake Classes, why not check them out at their stall at the upcoming MasterChef Live Australia event in Sydney from December 10-12 where they will also be running free cupcake decorating demonstrations.

PLUS thanks to Couture Cake Classes, readers of Diary of a Ladybird are eligible for a 10% discount on classes! To be eligible simply enter the promotional code 'ladybird' when you sign up for a class. The 2011 class schedule is out now, so check it out!

Couture Cake Classes
Sydney, NSW
http://www.couturecakeclasses.com.au/

*** Ms Ladybird attended this class as a guest of Couture Cake Classes ***

Planet Cake Course - Basics 102

I headed to Planet Cake's headquarters in Balmain yesterday for their Basic 102 course. I arrived at 9:30 for the course's commencement at 10am with what felt like a hundred butterflies in my stomach. I was about to learn from some of the very best in the cake decorating industry, and I couldn't wait to get started.

Part of my reason for the nerves was that I was about to learn things that I had never before attempted: ganaching and covering a square cake, making a big bow, and making a figurine. Clean, straight lines are very difficult to achieve, with even many seasoned decorators in the industry opting for round cakes instead to avoid them. This was not a challenger to shirk away from. It was going to be a big day, but I was ready :)

Under the friendly guidance of our teacher, Jessica and Planet Cake apprentice, Adam, myself and around 8 others set about our task of creating the present box with a figurine.

At each step Jessica demonstrated the technique required , and we then had a go with our own cake back on our benches. We also had notes to refer back to, but Jessica and Adam were on hand throughout the class to encourage and supervise our work, lending fantastic tips and advice along the way.

An unexpected bonus on the day was meeting Planet Cake's Paris Cutler, who joined us for a quick chat during our lunch break. She offered us some encouraging words about cake decorating, as well as some advice on the realities working in the industry.

At the end of the class, we had some time to take pictures of our work, as well as a group shot. Tired but happy, it was so satisfying to see all of the beautiful cakes we had created.

One of my favourite aspects of the class (which is difficult to decide, because it was all so amazing!) was learning how to make figurines. I decided that a fabulous cake called for some fabulous attire on my figurine. With a full length evening gown and pearl earring and necklace, she was oh so ladylike :)

I also painted on a little red colour for lipstick and gave her a stylish updo with a side-part to complete the effect. A lovely lady ready for the opera, or any other such posh occasion :) It was just like playing dressup - I felt like a kid again!

I must say, I am still on cloud nine after my class at Planet Cake. It was an incredible experience. I learnt so much and had so much fun in the process, that I have no doubt that I will have very fond memories of the day for a long time.

The difficulty, however, lies in deciding the fate of my chocolate mud cake... As I type this my cake is carefully boxed up and in a cool dark place at home. Whatever happens, I'm just not sure that I'll be able to bring myself to cut it... I might have to get someone else to do the deed! It really is incredibly how emotionally attached you can get to food when you put your heart and soul into it!

Since posting this story, this cake was donated to the families of Ronald McDonald House in Randwick, NSW. Ronald McDonald House provides support to seriously ill children and their families. To learn more about Ronald McDonald House, click here.

Ladybird x

Cupcake Decorating Class

A couple of months ago I started looking for somewhere to learn more about cupcake decorating, and with that I set about my cyberspace hunt for cupake decorating classes in Sydney.... and then I came across a blog called Wee Love Baking. I was immediately impressed by Sharon's talent and skill in cake decoarting, especially with cupcakes. Then I started reading some of her earlier posts and saw that she held private cupcake decorating classes!

The search was over, and so I contacted Sharon to ask her about my friend and I doing a class with her. She said yes, and Jacqui and I arranged to have a private class with her. We were delighted, and started counting down the days till our class :)

So yesterday that day finally arrived, and Jacqui and I headed for Sharon's place in the city, ready to start the class at 11am. We started by talking about the theme for our cupcakes, and we thought that a Spring theme would be nice. Little animals, pastel colours, flowers, etc.

Of course, one of my favourite parts of the class was learning how to make ladybirds... All the materials (incl. actual cupcakes) were provided as part of the course fee. We decorated a set of 12 cupcakes each, and we were so happy with how they turned out!

I learnt so much about working with fondant - it is not as difficult as I imagined it might be, and it was really fun! On top of being just lovely, Sharon is a great teacher with lots of useful tips, and seeing some of her work was truly inspiring. I can't wait to go and get some materials for myself so that I can start getting creative at home.

Sharon is a full-time marketer by day, and cake decorating extraordinaire by every other waking moment! She recently started her own business doing custom designed cakes, cupcakes and cookies. To check out Sharon Wee Creations, go to: http://www.sharonwee.com.au/

Love,

Ladbird xxx

Ps - Thank you to Sharon for sending these pics through!