Cookware.com Giveaway!

We just love, love, love giveaways! Don't you?

Along with our friends at Cookware.com, we are giving away a $40.00 gift certificate toward the purchase of Cookware.com's cool products. Two of our favorite finds are the cupcake baking cups and mixing bowls by Le Creuset.

You can enter the contest by including in the comment section your favorite kitchen tool and a way to contact you on or before August 31, 2010 at 7:00pm EST, and we will randomly choose a winner.

Winner will be contacted by email (so double check your Inbox), and your $40.00 gift certificate will be mailed directly to you from Cookware.com. [There may be international shipping charges in the case of Canadian addresses]. Be aware that comments may not be immediately posted but should appear within a few hours.

Good Luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED......AND A WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Cake/Cupcake Biz Roundtable Fall 2010!

This cake was designed by member Marcos Pena.

We are pleased to announce that Amy DeGiulio, owner, The Sugar Flower Cake Shop, is coming on board as our new Sponsor!

For all of you who want a "nuts and bolts" discussion of what it takes to open a custom cake or cupcake business (and there are many many of you), Amy has agreed to hold a Roundtable and Q&A for us sometime late September or early October.

Amy has been in business for a few years. Besides selling her realistic sugarflowers, she also sells cakes. The Sugar Flower Shop has received much buzz, which includes but is not limited to, Weddings, The Knot, WEtv, Brides New York, and Wedding Wire. She is also a recipient of 2010 Brides Choice Award.

Amy is currently in the process of obtaining retail space, so she is in a unique position to share with us her experiences with up-to-date information on what it takes to open a custom cake/cupcake business in such a competitive market as New York City. Luckily for us, Amy is graciously willing to share and provide tips and concrete information.

Sugar Flower Cake Shop

Amy creates amazing sugar flowers. The Sugar Flower Cake Shop was featured by the STYLE Network as part of the "Art of Cakes II" wedding cake special. She was also on the Martha Stewart Show, and a culinary presenter at Macy's Flower Show.

Amy is offering gumpaste flower private classes at her studio in Manhattan. Please contact her at 917-639-3901 to set up a private class.

Are You Going to ICES Fall WOS?

The NY Chapter of ICES Fall Weekend of Sharing (WOS) has a fantastic line up of classes which will showcase truly extraordinary cake artists. This years Fall WOS will take place upstate New York but if traveling by mass transit you need not worry because arrangements can be made to pick you up at the train station.

Of special note, members Chef Janet Ben-Ami, Hey! Cookie and Natalie Johnson, A World of Cakes will conduct several workshops.

Here is a sneak peak:
October 16th
Ximena Sempertegui - Fairy (2-part class)
Janet Ben-Ami (member/instructor) - Modeling Clowns
Geraldine Randlesome: Covering Cake in Fondant using diamond markers, crimpers, etc.
Natalie Johnson (member/instructor): Fall berry spray with bittersweet and hypernicum berries.
Keith Ryder: Pulled sugar ribbon candy

October 17th
Natalie Johnson (member/instructor) - Marzipan fruits and vegetables
Janet Ben-Ami (member/instructor)- Stenciling
Ximena Sempertegui - Vintage Pram
Keith Ryder: Pulled Sugar decorations
Beth Spinner: Gumpaste boarder punch floater collar
Kathy Farner: Using the Cricut

Registration forms, traveling info, and pics are downloadable on NYC Cake Decorators Meetup FILES.

Happy Caking!

Dina

Sugar Peonies Accepted by Historical Society

I can't believe it but my sugar flower arrangement has been accepted by the Chief Curator, Staten Island Historical Society, as a permanent part of their Collections.

Hundreds of folks who visit Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island may get an upclose look at my sugarflowers, how they were made, and my inspiration.

Sweet Regards,

Dina

Member Featured in American Cake Decorating Magazine!

Guess who's article was published in the current issue of American Cake Decorating Magazine?

Jacqueline McSpedon was the lucky member who was selected to review Chef Toba Garrett's new book, Wedding Cake Art and Design: A Professional Approach, and take on an actual project in the book. Congrats Jacque!


Watch Wedding Cake Art and Design: A Professional Approach in Educational & How-To | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Kings of Pastry!

We are excited to learn about a new film, Kings of Pastry, opening September 15th at New York's Film Forum! Hope to see you there!

City Cakes NY Showcased on "Fabulous Cakes"!

I couldn't wait to see the third installment of Fabulous Cakes this week!

Member Chefs Benny Rivera and Marc Matthias, City Cakes NY (formerly Diverse Desserts), amazing cakes were among three upscale custom cake businesses showcased in this week's episode. Benny and Marc create a four-foot-long alligator cake for a surprise twenty-third birthday party, and a five-tiered sculpted cake for the New York City Gay Men's Chorus's thirtieth anniversary party, including a replica made out of cake of the house where the party will be held.
Other cake artists of note featured on the New York episode are Kate Sullivan and Michelle Doll.

Pink Cake Box Meetup Takes the Cake!

Our Purse Cake Workshop with Chef Anne Heap, Pink Cake Box, was a long awaited event that was well worth the wait! NYC Cakers learned how to carve and quilt their purse cakes all under the watchful eye of Chef Anne and her assistant.

The beautiful cake shown here was created by member Ines. Ines' website Primo Cakes showcases her amazing skills at carved and 3D cakes. You can also follow Ines on Facebook.