Showing posts with label cake tasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cake tasting. Show all posts

Monday, 14 April 2008

Cake my day!

Another week, another tasting. This time a delightful couple who once again voted our chocolate cake to be the best they've ever had! Although they had made up their minds about the cake flavour they wanted for their wedding, it didn't do them any harm to try our other cake flavours, which all went down very well. The style of cake they chose is one of my favourites but they've added their own twist and I can't wait to show you all the final product.

I also had a very productive meeting with one of the biggest party planners and props hire companies in the country and it never ceases to amaze me how lovely people from the big name companies can be. I undertook a tour of their props warehouse, which was divided up into various party themes and it made my week. My favourite prop was a huge, white blinged up sled constructed for a snow queen party. I imagined myself (being the cake queen extraordinaire of course) sitting on it and waving regally to all my 'subjects'! As my sister would say, in your dreams missis!

As usual, please find the continuation of our A to Z series below:

M for Marzipan

Commonly used by cake decorators to cover fruit cakes, it is made from almonds and has a sweet, distinctive taste. It helps to protect the cake from drying out, preserving all the moisture in the cake. However, be aware that some of your guests might be allergic to nuts in any shape or form and it is advisable to warn such guests.

N for Notice

It’s best to give your chosen cake maker as much notice as you can, preferably a minimum of three to six months’ notice. This will ensure that there is enough time to discuss and execute every detail of the design and content of your cake and there is also enough time for the designer to incorporate any changes. Having said that, you will find that some bakers can accommodate time constraints if you ask very nicely. At Elizabeth's Emporium we have certainly accommodated a bride who rang us in a panic after being let down by her cake maker. We had just two weeks to out together a delicious three tier confection that resulted in one of the nicest letters we have ever received from a bride.

Sunday, 23 March 2008

Sky High, I'm Gonna Testify

I'm sure that probably the best view of London can be seen from the 40th floor of The Gherkin (30 St Mary's Axe). Last week was the cake and menu tasting of a lovely couple and from what brides tell me, this is one of the most enjoyable parts of planning the wedding.

The manager and staff of Searcy's pulled out all the stops and a great time seemed to be had by all. On our part we at Elizabeth's Emporium provided five different cake flavours, one which was specially made at the request of the couple. We had a lot of fun trying to perfect the recipe, which went down very well. The next stage will be discussing and finalising the specifics of the cake, which we are very excited to be making, as it is so apt for such a cosmopolitan couple. So watch this space.

Now we continue with our series, the A to Z of Wedding Cakes below:


G for Ground work

You have to do a lot of ground work to uncover the right cake designer but it is worth it for the peace of mind and confidence it will give you in the long run. Always ask friends, family and recently married couples for recommendations, or you can ask your event planner to source someone for you. Another good way to uncover someone is via your reception venue; as they are likely to have used rigorous criteria to vet and select their cake suppliers. Therefore, word of mouth can be your most powerful search tool!

A lot of cake makers will showcase their creations on their websites and this is a time for you to see whether you like their work. Designs can range from the simple, traditional, modern, cool to the elaborate. When you do make contact, ask them how they would describe their style and in turn, expect to be asked questions about the date of your wedding, the number of guests you expect the cake to feed and the style and feel of your wedding. Arrange a meeting to view their portfolio and discuss your ideas but most importantly this would be a good time to see if there is a good personal connection or chemistry as trust is a crucial element in your relationship.


H for Hire costs

Just like it is essential to choose the right accessories for your wedding dress, the right accessories and how a cake is displayed can make all the difference. It is advisable to think about whether a cake table will be provided, its location, how it will be dressed, and about other accessories such as the cake stand and the cutting knife.
However, the right accessories may come at an extra cost, so ensure that it is included as part of the package when you book your venue. If not, so make sure you bear this is mind when discussing your requirements with your cake maker and the venue.