My Weblog/Sugar Seminars

A Visitor at Custom Cakes - Savannah Wedding Cakes

11.8.09

Custom Cakes had the pleasure of hosting Jacqueline Butler for a week in Oct.  For those who don't know, Jacqueline is the owner of Petalsweet Cakes in San Diego, CA. Jackie and I met earlier this year at Ron Ben Israel's class  at Custom Cakes and we have been fast friends ever since.  

Jackie is just beginning her specialty cake business and I invited  her to join us for a week to get a feel for the day to day operation at Custom Cakes...production schedules, staffing, suppliers, contracts, deliveries, etc.  I learned early on, the "business" part of the cake business was just as important as the "cake" part of the cake business...not nearly as fun...but just as important!  So I was happy to share my cake business journey with Jackie. 

Here's Jackie, ready for the work day:

Jackie's specialty is sugarpaste flowers, so we put her to working making flowers!

Gorgeous orchids:

Here's the finished cake complete with the lovely sugar orchids:

 

Jackie, it was a pleasure having you in the shop!  I know Petalsweet Cakes will be a huge success!!!  See you in March at Ron's class...xoxoxo, M.

Sugar Seminars - Cake Decorating Classes

10.28.09

The year is flying by and I want to remind those who are considering taking a class or two from Ron Ben-Israel next year that the reduced sign up rate ends 10/31/09....Sat. is the last day for early registration discount.  Session #2 has very limited enrollment so don't miss a great opportunity to learn sugarflowers from the best!  Check out the class descriptions on the blog.

GA ICES will hold a fall Day of Sharing at the Inn at Ellis Square, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Savannah's Historic District.  Registration must be received by Nov.4th.  Lady & Sons will be catering lunch and we have a full day of demonstrations lined up.  Custom Cakes' lead designer Kerry O'Connor will show us how to make some beautiful "winter wonderland" decorations for a winter wedding cake.  Ashlee Perkins, Custom Cakes' 3-d specialist will demonstrate how to make modeling chocolate and show us how to use it.  Kate Essenberg's topic is photographing your cakes.  We will also have a color theory demo and if time permits, I'll share some holiday chocolate ideas.

The cost for members is $25.00.  Non members are welcome and the non-member fee is $35.00.  Check out the Georgia ICES website for more information.  Hope you can make it!

I'll leave you with a few of our latest groom's cakes.  This groom owns a Five Guys Burger franchise.  If you've never had their burger and fries, you're missing out! I especially like the fries and bacon!   An Ashlee Perkins design for Custom Cakes:

Did you notice the alligator in the background?  Well, here's a better shot.  An Ashlee Perkins design for Custom Cakes:

And finally, a pirate ship for the groom that has everything!  An Ashlee Perkins design for Custom Cakes:

Hope to see you in a Sugar Seminar soon!  Thanks for looking.

Savannah Wedding Cakes - Charlie and Renee

10.22.09

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  We have the honor of working with the best brides and grooms ever!!!  Brides and grooms choose Custom Cakes because the cake is important to them.  They want their cake to be a show stopper, the reception centerpiece, and a delicious dessert.

Charlie and Renee were a true Custom Cakes couple and a delight to work with!  Charlie was so into the design aspect of the cake, he brought us a sketch of what they wanted.  From sketch to wedding cake, here it is:

 

And the lovely note from Charlie and Renee:

Thank you, Charlie and Renee for allowing Custom Cakes to make your wedding cake.  You were a pleasure to work with!!

I would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.  Your out pouring of kindness has made this very difficult time a little easier for me.

Thanks for looking!

Jerriod E. Grizzle 1984-2009

10.14.09

My brother was laid to rest today.  Jerriod moved to Atlanta several months ago.  He landed a great job and was excited to be in the big city, close to his best friend Chris, his cousins, 2 sisters, and his girlfriend Alisha.

Friday at 12:35 Jerriod and Alisha were involved in a tragic car accident.  Alisha was banged up badly, Jerriod did not survive.

These last few days have been surreal...I can't believe Jerriod is gone. In his 25 years, he touched a lot of people...Jerriod  loved his family, his God, and lived life to the fullest.   Rest in peace, sweet brother, I miss you more than words can say.

Love, Sis

 

Intership position - Savannah Custom Cakes

10.4.09

Custom Cakes is now accepting applications for a fall 2009 and winter 2010 decorating internship at our shop in Savannah, Georgia.

This is a 3 month, non paid postition.  Hours are 9:00am-5:30pm Tues.-Sat.  Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.  Culinary and art students or graduates are encouraged to apply. 

Please send your resume to:

Custom Cakes, Inc.

7060 Hodgson Memorial Dr.

Savannah, GA   31406

Or email us at:  savannahcustomcakes@gmail.com

Sugar Seminars 2010 - Cake decorating classes

9.30.09

I'm happy to tell you that Custom Cakes' 2010 Sugar Seminar schedule is now posted.  You will find the dates and class descriptions on the right hand side of the page.  We have classes for hobbyists and professionals alike.  You will now be able to sign up and pay on line for classes!

We are thrilled to have Ron Ben-Israel, the master of sugar art, return to Custom Cakes for 3 sessions.  Ron will be teaching 2 mold making sessions and 1 sugar flower class.  Ron is a wonderful teacher and his classes are a lot of fun!

"Wedding Cakes From Start to Finish" will take place July  15, 16, & 17 and I'm pleased to announce Donna Von Bruening will join me in presenting "The Business of Wedding Cakes"  July 18 & 19. This two day seminar is geared to those considering a wedding cake business or wedding cake business owners who want to increase their sales.  Donna is the owner of Donna Von Bruening Photographers and founder and president of Savannah Wedding Professionals.  She is a wedding industry expert and consultant.

Rounding out July will be "Flowers in a Basket" class.  5 days of making sugarpaste flowers...what could be better?  Here is a sneak peek of some of the flowers we will be making:

Thanks for looking and I hope to see you in a Sugar Seminar soon!

Savannah Wedding Cakes

9.27.09

 I'm dragging my husband kicking and screaming into the 21st century.   I gave Jim an iPhone as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago.  He travels a lot and I thought it would be a convenient way for him to check emails.  In addition he would be able to take pictures with it of the wedding cakes he delivers on Saturdays (his Sat. job!)  Resistant to change, Jim has finally succumbed to the apps of the iPhone. 

I'm happy to say, 2 years later Jim can not only take a picture with his iPhone but also send the picture in an email!  Hallelujah and here's the proof!

Sugarpaste dogwood blossoms with chocolate branches:

Sugarpaste magnolias and leaves.  This reception was held at the Marshall House on Broughton St. in the historic district.

This cake is decorated with our "Georgian" scroll design and topped with our sugarpaste callas.

Thanks for looking!

Recent Wedding Cakes - Savannah Wedding Cakes

9.17.09

Where did the summer go and how did it get to be mid Sept?  Here are some cakes we made during August and the first part of Sept.

This cake was made for our delightful bride Kristen. Her wedding was held at the Jepson Center for the Arts in the historic district.  And standing next to the cake is the equally delightful Ashley Field, catering director at Savor Savannah.  Ashley's wedding is featured in the latest copy of Savannah Weddings.

Kristen's groom Scott played college football for Georgia Southern...2 of those years Southern won the state championship.  So of course a Georgia Southern football themed cake was in order:

This cake was designed by the bride and groom.  The stars and the moon...they picked their favorite constellations and we made it into a wedding cake!  Love how the wedding cake can be so personal:

Reception was held at Vic's on the River in the historic distric.

This cake was made for one of the sweetest brides ever, Genna.  Her cake was sprayed with luster dust which gave it a beautiful sparkle.  The rhinestone border and monogram topper made for a truly beautiful, elegant cake.  I'm sorry the picture doesn't do it justice!  Reception was held at Garibaldi's  Cafe in Savannah's historic district.

Thanks for looking!

Baby's New Shoes Savannah Wedding Cakes

9.7.09

Happy Labor Day!!!  Where did the summer go?  Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday.

I have tons of pictures and stories to share with you.  This has been an exciting summer at Custom Cakes...fun and fabulous classes, beautiful wedding cakes, and for good measure, a Food Network Cake Challenge thrown in!  I'll be posting pictures as soon as I can.

Last week Shonh celebrated his 1st birthday!  Mom ordered a new pair of shoes for him...in cake of course!

Thanks for looking!!!

Ron Ben-Israel Returns to Custom Cakes!!!

8.26.09

Ron Ben-Israel needs no introduction.  He has designed breath taking masterpieces for celebrities, dignitaries, and some of the country's most discriminating brides. His creations have been featured in countless publications, including Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Living, and Vogue and have appeared on television shows such as Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and Food Network's "Sugar Rush."  Ron is my favorite cake designer, sugar artist, teacher, and I am thrilled he is returning to Custom Cakes !!!!

Here's what the Master, Ron Ben-Israel has in store for us:

Session 1- Feb. 26,27, &28 2010 - Bring on the Bling!  In this master class, Ron will show us step-by-step how to mix and make our own custom silicone molds.  We will make one of a kind designs using our newly made molds.

Session 2- March 2, 3, &4, 2010 - Sugarpaste Flowers!  Inspired by last years visit to Savannah, Ron will teach us the art of making beautiful southern flowers in sugar!  You'll learn to apply inspiration taken directly from nature to your materials and craft amazingly lifelike blooms. Ron will show us how to bring our flowers to life with color as well as discuss flower placement on cakes.

This is the only Masters sugarpaste flower class Ron will teach at Custom Cakes this year. Flowers include camellias, dogwoods, jasmine, and magnolia. Last year both flower classes filled up quickly so don't delay with your registration! 

Session 3- March 6, 7, &8 2010-Bring on the Bling!  The same course as Session #1.

All classes will be held at Custom Cakes, 7060 Hodgson Memorial Dr., Savannah, GA   31406.

Class size is limited and Ron's classes always fill up quickly.

Early bird class fee:  Register and pay in full before Nov.1, 2009 - $995.  Supplies used in class will be provided as well as a light lunch

Course fee Nov.1, 2009:  $1095 and supplies used in class will be provided as well as a light lunch.

To register click on the course title/date on the right hand side of the blog.  If you have any questions  contact us at:  savannahcustomcakes@gmail.com or by phone:  912-356-0072.

Hope to see you in a Sugar Seminar soon!!!