The Daring Kitchen that I am a member of posted this cake competition about a month ago. I really debated about whether or not I should enter because I hate making something I enjoy doing become a stressful challenge. But when I decided to just do it for fun and gave myself ample room to back out even at the last minute, I went for it.
The Daring Kitchen, in conjunction with the U.S. Confection Connection, is offering one lucky person the chance to attend the New York Cake Convention from January 2 to January 5 on an all-expenses paid trip.
In addition to that all-expenses paid trip you also get to assist pastry chef Michelle Bonmarito
I didn't really know who that was until I looked up her Bio and read that she had worked for Martha Stewart Omni-media and debuted on television when she helped Martha make the “Spring Garden Cake” in 2000. When I read that I googled that cake and my suspicions were confirmed, in high school me and a friend got together one Saturday and replicated that cake--that was my first experience with cake decorating. Wouldn't that be such a great story to tell if I won the cake competition?!?!? Unfortunately, I am 100% confident that there are so many other cakes that were entered that were better than mine. But at least my co-workers were amazed by it and it was a great hit!
The cakes are judged on originality; execution; and best representation of Autumn but not on taste. I made a chocolate cake, trimmed it up and layered the middle with mango jam. I then strained the remaining mango jam and heated it up and poured it over the top and sides of the cake for a crumb coating. Then I poured chocolate ganache on top of that. I lined the edges of the cake with pecans (my Southern accent) and topped it off with a pile of chocolate leaves I had made. I melted white chocolate, added some oil and food coloring and painted the back of washed leaves. They then cool in the fridge for a few hours before I peeled off the leaves. I named my entry "Fall Flare". So, what do you think?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
That cake is awesome!! I would love to know how to decorate cakes. I have been wanting to try my hand at marshmallow fondant, but I'm afraid it may be a disaster. :)
Post a Comment