Well I have been a little slack in writing these posts but anyway I am back on track!
My beautiful Mum passed away in July and nothing could have prepared me for it. I always talk about my Mum in most of my classes, as she has always encouraged me with my cake business. Mum was always for me to be working at home and being with my family more, instead of the long and late shifts as a chef. Mum always encouraged me to be creative as a little girl, nothing electronic in my day! and was a big fan of my baking and cooking attempts even at my young age.
For the past few years I have been recording my cake decorating of my cakes and deliveries to all the beautiful wedding venues with my dvd camera and then posting them on to my Mum who lived in the U.K. Great armchair viewing of the Gold coast, Mt Tamborine and the Sunshine coast. venues.She said it was better than any tourist commercial of Oz,after watching all the dvds I made!
After receiving another DVD she told me on the phone, how improved my cakes were, from being baked in the oven. I asked her what she meant and she replied so smooth and spotless. I had to laugh, as the DVD had footage filmed of ganached cakes ready to be covered with sugar paste! I laughed and said I wished they did turn out of the oven allready ganached but that was another part of the cake decorating! if only!
My Mum eventually went into a nursing home and was watching another dvd of mine,decorating a Mad Hatter as she was intrigued as to how it was stacked together and she asked me to record it as I made it. She told me as she was watching the DVD a care worker came into her room with a cup of tea.
Mum explained that it was her daughter ,decorating the cakes on the television. The carer replied yes dear of course it is, Mum thought she must probably think I am loosing my marbles!
Mum said the timing on the DVD was perfect,as I then spoke directly to the camera and said Well Mum this is the finished result I hope you have been paying attention as there will be questions when I call you next! The carer was gobsmacked and sat with Mum and watched a few more minutes of the DVD and Mum told me the carer ate some humble pie! Now thats the magic!
So a few close friends have known about my Mums passing and sent me beautiful cards, some gave me a beautiful vine which I have planted in my front garden . Everyday as I walk pass it, it is in a sunny spot just where my Mum always liked to be in life and is a gentle reminder of making each day count in life.Thank you for all those well meaning cards and emails.
I have tried to catch up with all business correspondance and emails and with the support of my lovely hubby and son and I am now back on track!
For those students that I cancelled classes with, nearly all did not want a refund and so re booked for another class and have since attended, thank you for your well wishes too.
We are, each of us, Angels with only one wing and we can only fly by embracing and supporting each other. Luciano De Crescenzo.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Debbie Brown in Brisbane
Friday 2nd of July 2010
The last few weeks have been like a whirl wind I was very happy to sign up for all 4 Debbie Brown workshops that Sarah-Jane from Cake That, organised to be at the Mantra Hotel in Brisbane.
I had a great 4 days just playing with sugar paste no surprises there! Some of my good friends( who I have met through my own classes ) were great playmates! and we were up for the challenge with working with styrofoam instead of yummy chocolate cake anyway a few pictures are on the right.
I had a fabulous spiders web cupcake tower to create for a lovely bridal couple and a few more traditional Wedding cakes to bring me back down to Earth!
Okay so I have a few scrap bookers that follow my blog so listed below might be of some interest to you.
You are invited to the following event:
Scrap for a cure -OVARIAN CANCER CURE.12 hour scrap booking and papercraft expo.
$40.00 perhead which includes a light lunch and BBQ dinner
Date:Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (GMT+1000)
Location: Strathpine Community Hall
Cnr Mecklam Street and gympie Road
Strathpine
Tickets on Offer.
Call Michelle on
0458 437 440 or
Email: scrapforacure@gmail.com
www.ovariancancer.net.au
For all of those with children, wishing you all a good school holidays and do some baking, cupcakes cookies whatever you like and add that extra free ingredient that all goodies should have ....love.
The last few weeks have been like a whirl wind I was very happy to sign up for all 4 Debbie Brown workshops that Sarah-Jane from Cake That, organised to be at the Mantra Hotel in Brisbane.
I had a great 4 days just playing with sugar paste no surprises there! Some of my good friends( who I have met through my own classes ) were great playmates! and we were up for the challenge with working with styrofoam instead of yummy chocolate cake anyway a few pictures are on the right.
I had a fabulous spiders web cupcake tower to create for a lovely bridal couple and a few more traditional Wedding cakes to bring me back down to Earth!
Okay so I have a few scrap bookers that follow my blog so listed below might be of some interest to you.
You are invited to the following event:
Scrap for a cure -OVARIAN CANCER CURE.12 hour scrap booking and papercraft expo.
$40.00 perhead which includes a light lunch and BBQ dinner
Date:Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (GMT+1000)
Location: Strathpine Community Hall
Cnr Mecklam Street and gympie Road
Strathpine
Tickets on Offer.
Call Michelle on
0458 437 440 or
Email: scrapforacure@gmail.com
www.ovariancancer.net.au
For all of those with children, wishing you all a good school holidays and do some baking, cupcakes cookies whatever you like and add that extra free ingredient that all goodies should have ....love.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Great news the PA S biggest morning tea raised $4,500.thank you for all that made a difference.
Queensland Cake Decorating Association's (QCDA) annual show at Mt Coot-tha.
This coming weekend.
The 3 day show is a great place to meet and view other peoples talent and also sit in and watch the demos, have a cuppa and a piece of cake of course! Afterwards have a wander around the beautiful gardens.
Queensland Cake Decorating Association's (QCDA) annual show at Mt Coot-tha.
The cake decorators association also display their groups creativity and the displays are absolutely lovely.You will also have the opportunity to purchase cake decorating tools and some great books also.
The show is open at the following times
Friday 18th June 12pm -4pm
Saturday 19th June 9.30am -4pm
Sunday 20th June 9.30 am to 3.30pm
Admission Adults $3
Children and mature people! $1
Queensland Cake Decorating Association's (QCDA) annual show at Mt Coot-tha.
This coming weekend.
The 3 day show is a great place to meet and view other peoples talent and also sit in and watch the demos, have a cuppa and a piece of cake of course! Afterwards have a wander around the beautiful gardens.
Queensland Cake Decorating Association's (QCDA) annual show at Mt Coot-tha.
The cake decorators association also display their groups creativity and the displays are absolutely lovely.You will also have the opportunity to purchase cake decorating tools and some great books also.
The show is open at the following times
Friday 18th June 12pm -4pm
Saturday 19th June 9.30am -4pm
Sunday 20th June 9.30 am to 3.30pm
Admission Adults $3
Children and mature people! $1
Friday, June 4, 2010
Biggest morning Tea.
New cake classes are now listed for June, July, August and September 2010. Go to my cake class page on my opening page of my website.
Friday 4th June 2010
I was very happy to be involved and sponsor and judge the novelty cake entries at the PA Hospital biggest morning tea. What great entries, including an amazing 3D building cake of PA hospital and some saucy cupcake with various staff members. I donated a shoe and shoe box cake that was then auctioned for much needing funds.
Assisting the now very famous Dominique Rizzo, I first met Dominique 3 years ago as we are both involved in The Learn cook and Dine programme at Kitchenware-plus, she was not at the superstar status she is now! and watch out for her first new book later on in the year. I cannot wait a genuine book of receipes she creates, written by a genuine hands- on passionate foodie.
We had a a great time together with the task of judging and tasting the huge array of cakes pastries and slices! Sometimes my life is so harsh!!!!!
The amount of yummy chocolate delights was all too much! beautiful biscuits, slices cakes, cupcakes, even fudge and brownies were all tasted and judged and then tasted some more! They were then sold and the mornings events raised much needed funds to the ongoing cancer research.Thank you for all those that supported this morning.
The last few weeks have flown by, busy with classes, cakes and cake demonstrations at 2 more of my local librarys and I was met with a warm welcome, thank you.Both dates were fully booked out and its amazing how many other interesting topics the librays have going on so check out their websites for more details.
I still get a little nervous at the beginning and then after a few minutes of speaking ,I crack my classic joke " as you can tell from my accent I am not from around here.......I am from Daisy Hill " and that will normally break the ice! (English humour!!! cannot get away from it!) The event at Springwood library even got a mention in my local paper and its only taken me 6 years!
I often get asked do I miss chefing and the answer is yes. After watching Masterchef the other evening, I am now going to say no! They were creating canapes for a cruise ship moored in Sydney harbour.This reminded me of when I was head chef at a restaurant in Thornlands a couple of years ago.
We secured the contract to cater for the Redland Bay Film festival awards and I had to cater for 290 guests and staff.
The amount of planning and preparation that took in creating all that food! With 3 chefs assisting me and my fantastic apprentice Tiegan, who now works at Sirromet, pulled out all the stops and we worked like a well oiled machine thankfully with no misfires!
The venue was a Stradbrooke car ferry that was converted into a floating red carpeted restaurant .We had a portable kitchen installed with ovens that kept stopping and starting throughout the service! We actually sailed out into the bay for the duration of the evening and so everything had to be onboard, now that took some planning ! and as you might know by watching the Masterchef show, time is always against you. Anyway the night was a blast we had all been working 12+ hours and endorphines kicked in and everything went perfect .
I really felt for the contestants of the Masterchef show as that particuliar challenge was a really hard
challenge!Well done.
Now we are into the cold season remember kindness is contagious , so pass it on.
Friday 4th June 2010
I was very happy to be involved and sponsor and judge the novelty cake entries at the PA Hospital biggest morning tea. What great entries, including an amazing 3D building cake of PA hospital and some saucy cupcake with various staff members. I donated a shoe and shoe box cake that was then auctioned for much needing funds.
Assisting the now very famous Dominique Rizzo, I first met Dominique 3 years ago as we are both involved in The Learn cook and Dine programme at Kitchenware-plus, she was not at the superstar status she is now! and watch out for her first new book later on in the year. I cannot wait a genuine book of receipes she creates, written by a genuine hands- on passionate foodie.
We had a a great time together with the task of judging and tasting the huge array of cakes pastries and slices! Sometimes my life is so harsh!!!!!
The amount of yummy chocolate delights was all too much! beautiful biscuits, slices cakes, cupcakes, even fudge and brownies were all tasted and judged and then tasted some more! They were then sold and the mornings events raised much needed funds to the ongoing cancer research.Thank you for all those that supported this morning.
The last few weeks have flown by, busy with classes, cakes and cake demonstrations at 2 more of my local librarys and I was met with a warm welcome, thank you.Both dates were fully booked out and its amazing how many other interesting topics the librays have going on so check out their websites for more details.
I still get a little nervous at the beginning and then after a few minutes of speaking ,I crack my classic joke " as you can tell from my accent I am not from around here.......I am from Daisy Hill " and that will normally break the ice! (English humour!!! cannot get away from it!) The event at Springwood library even got a mention in my local paper and its only taken me 6 years!
I often get asked do I miss chefing and the answer is yes. After watching Masterchef the other evening, I am now going to say no! They were creating canapes for a cruise ship moored in Sydney harbour.This reminded me of when I was head chef at a restaurant in Thornlands a couple of years ago.
We secured the contract to cater for the Redland Bay Film festival awards and I had to cater for 290 guests and staff.
The amount of planning and preparation that took in creating all that food! With 3 chefs assisting me and my fantastic apprentice Tiegan, who now works at Sirromet, pulled out all the stops and we worked like a well oiled machine thankfully with no misfires!
The venue was a Stradbrooke car ferry that was converted into a floating red carpeted restaurant .We had a portable kitchen installed with ovens that kept stopping and starting throughout the service! We actually sailed out into the bay for the duration of the evening and so everything had to be onboard, now that took some planning ! and as you might know by watching the Masterchef show, time is always against you. Anyway the night was a blast we had all been working 12+ hours and endorphines kicked in and everything went perfect .
I really felt for the contestants of the Masterchef show as that particuliar challenge was a really hard
challenge!Well done.
Now we are into the cold season remember kindness is contagious , so pass it on.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Brisbane cake blog Tuesday 4th May 2010
The P.A Hospital are having the Greatest Morning Tea Thursday 20th May 2010
Celebrity and Brisbane Chef Domique Rizzo will be hosting and judging the bake off in which 3 categories for contestants to enter by paying a $10 registration fee to enter one category and $5 for each one there after.
The categories are as follows.
1. Cakes
2. Biscuits/slices.
3. Novelty/ decorated cakes.
Clich the link below for more information for registration.There are some great prizes on offer including a cake class voucher of mine!
http://www.pafoundation.org.au/.
Its been a mad hatters week! With Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland in mind I created a great cake for a lovely young ladies 16th birthday, check out her rabbit ears!She really had a Mad Hatters tea party.
I have also been busy with classes, new students all very eager and what great results as you can see.
A quote I smile everytime I read is, The reason why Angels fly is that they take themselves so lightly..................
The P.A Hospital are having the Greatest Morning Tea Thursday 20th May 2010
Celebrity and Brisbane Chef Domique Rizzo will be hosting and judging the bake off in which 3 categories for contestants to enter by paying a $10 registration fee to enter one category and $5 for each one there after.
The categories are as follows.
1. Cakes
2. Biscuits/slices.
3. Novelty/ decorated cakes.
Clich the link below for more information for registration.There are some great prizes on offer including a cake class voucher of mine!
http://www.pafoundation.org.au/.
Its been a mad hatters week! With Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland in mind I created a great cake for a lovely young ladies 16th birthday, check out her rabbit ears!She really had a Mad Hatters tea party.
I have also been busy with classes, new students all very eager and what great results as you can see.
A quote I smile everytime I read is, The reason why Angels fly is that they take themselves so lightly..................
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Brisbane wedding cakes Monday 19th of April 2010
New Bridal show in Australia
I had this email arrive to day so I thought I would show it.
A new weddings TV show to be filmed and aired in Australia.
They are looking for brides who are getting married this year (particularly in late May, June or July 2010). They want to ensure that we cover a wide variety of weddings – and so the bride could have a unique ceremony, unusual venue, a great mix or guests or just something that they feel sets them apart.
More details of the company, who they are looking for and contact details can be found on the casting page of their website:
http://granadamedia.com.au/casting
The last week I have been busy doing demonstrations at Beenleigh library, a lovely group of women turned up to watch my presentation and of course to have a yummy cupcake of mine at the end of the demo.
Busy with cake classes and again beautiful results, had my work appear in the latest Bride to be Wedding cake magazine, paid for a small 1/4 of a page (cost me an arm and a leg) and was happy to see they gave me 2 extra pages and other pictures of my work dotted around the magazine.
There was also a feature about cake classes and was really pleased to see I got a mention.
I displayed my cakes at a bridal fayre on the Saturday which raised much needed funds for the Cancer research and met a lovely bride to be who was looking for Super Mario bride and groom figurines. When I spoke to her about last weeks, Super Mario Wedding cake and I had my camera with me and showed her the pikkies, she was raptuous and wants the same cake! Who needs advertising? Then I was of up to the Sunshine coast for deliveries and then back in the city.
I also made a bagpipe cake, matching the clans colours of tartan, for a wonderful Scottish man who was celebrating his 80th birthday and a cute fairy mushroom cake for a little girls first birthday.
Sunday was the wedding cupcake tower workshop and really beautiful results again.
Remember sharing warms the soul..............
I had this email arrive to day so I thought I would show it.
A new weddings TV show to be filmed and aired in Australia.
They are looking for brides who are getting married this year (particularly in late May, June or July 2010). They want to ensure that we cover a wide variety of weddings – and so the bride could have a unique ceremony, unusual venue, a great mix or guests or just something that they feel sets them apart.
More details of the company, who they are looking for and contact details can be found on the casting page of their website:
http://granadamedia.com.au/casting
The last week I have been busy doing demonstrations at Beenleigh library, a lovely group of women turned up to watch my presentation and of course to have a yummy cupcake of mine at the end of the demo.
Busy with cake classes and again beautiful results, had my work appear in the latest Bride to be Wedding cake magazine, paid for a small 1/4 of a page (cost me an arm and a leg) and was happy to see they gave me 2 extra pages and other pictures of my work dotted around the magazine.
There was also a feature about cake classes and was really pleased to see I got a mention.
I displayed my cakes at a bridal fayre on the Saturday which raised much needed funds for the Cancer research and met a lovely bride to be who was looking for Super Mario bride and groom figurines. When I spoke to her about last weeks, Super Mario Wedding cake and I had my camera with me and showed her the pikkies, she was raptuous and wants the same cake! Who needs advertising? Then I was of up to the Sunshine coast for deliveries and then back in the city.
I also made a bagpipe cake, matching the clans colours of tartan, for a wonderful Scottish man who was celebrating his 80th birthday and a cute fairy mushroom cake for a little girls first birthday.
Sunday was the wedding cupcake tower workshop and really beautiful results again.
Remember sharing warms the soul..............
Monday, April 12, 2010
Brisbane wedding cakes This Saturday 17th of April 2010 I am displaying my cakes at a local bridal fayre at Springwood Community Centre, Cnr of Cinderella drive and Vanessa Boulevard 10-2pm.
A gold coin donation is the entry fee to help much needed funding for this great supporting community centre.
Did you know you can drop off food cans and sealed food within date of course ! that can then be shared out to those needing this.
So get checking in your food cupboards and share that spare food that you have been bulk storing!
Their contact details are 38084529, please call them first if you have some food to donate.
Remember we can all make a difference in our community.
Monday 12th April 2010
I hope you all had a good Easter and ate lots of chocolate!
I had a busy week with classes and cakes and I would like to show a few of the cakes this week.
Almost a year ago I was contacted by a bride to be and asked whether I could create a Super Mario Wedding cake, as you can see by my other picture in my website I love novelty cakes( as well as my traditional classic wedding cakes!) After a few emails back and forth and designs and with the help from my son as he used to play the game all the time I began my research.As only a buster move gamer ( I am unsure whether I have spelt that game name correct ) a Super Mario expert I have become, even though I have never played the game!
Bricks, turtle shells, sharp teethed flowers, the research began and I even discovered Super Mario is an Italian Plumber! Anway a fantastic design the bride sent to me to create and after I delivered and set it up at the venue, I was a little sad to see it leave my cake studio as I was drawn to looking at it!
It was wonderful to open my emailson Sunday to see the bride and groom had sent me an email with a big thank you and with the words, Wow, Wow and more Wows!!!!! Now thats the magic in cake creating..... Have a great week.
A gold coin donation is the entry fee to help much needed funding for this great supporting community centre.
Did you know you can drop off food cans and sealed food within date of course ! that can then be shared out to those needing this.
So get checking in your food cupboards and share that spare food that you have been bulk storing!
Their contact details are 38084529, please call them first if you have some food to donate.
Remember we can all make a difference in our community.
Monday 12th April 2010
I hope you all had a good Easter and ate lots of chocolate!
I had a busy week with classes and cakes and I would like to show a few of the cakes this week.
Almost a year ago I was contacted by a bride to be and asked whether I could create a Super Mario Wedding cake, as you can see by my other picture in my website I love novelty cakes( as well as my traditional classic wedding cakes!) After a few emails back and forth and designs and with the help from my son as he used to play the game all the time I began my research.As only a buster move gamer ( I am unsure whether I have spelt that game name correct ) a Super Mario expert I have become, even though I have never played the game!
Bricks, turtle shells, sharp teethed flowers, the research began and I even discovered Super Mario is an Italian Plumber! Anway a fantastic design the bride sent to me to create and after I delivered and set it up at the venue, I was a little sad to see it leave my cake studio as I was drawn to looking at it!
It was wonderful to open my emailson Sunday to see the bride and groom had sent me an email with a big thank you and with the words, Wow, Wow and more Wows!!!!! Now thats the magic in cake creating..... Have a great week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Lilac sugar roses stacked cake.
Black and white themed cake.
Gazebo fountain Wedding Cake
Pink and white theme sugar lily wedding cake.
2 tier pilared square cake with red sugar roses.
Shooting Stars Cake
Tiffany Cake 2 day workshop, beautiful work.
Personalised figurine 1 day workshop
