 Winner 2008 Seasonal Cake Design
Stephanie Shaw - Bio
All forms of art and design have been a passionate interest for as long as I can remember. But life presents many reasons for following different paths, so creative pursuits became background “hobbies” while I developed a challenging (and ongoing) career in computer systems.
Four years ago, I decided to focus on my love of cooking and completed the Culinary Arts program at George Brown. Flavour is my first priority, but a detailed plate design is always included with every menu plan – even if it’s just coffee and a muffin! By the time I would finish plating and garnishing, the food would need to be reheated. Family and friends would tease a little, but were very patient. I would explain that it was the “love”, and try to speed up the process for the next time.
I had always associated cake design with marzipan and wedding cakes, and deliberately steered away from such highly charged occasions. However, I did save some amazing photographs of novelty cakes from a magazine, and often went back to check them out.
Then last summer my granddaughter requested a Hannah Montana theme for her birthday cake. That not only stretched past my design expertise - it included the logistics of getting it up to Collingwood and assembled - on a very hot day. Somehow it all worked. She was thrilled, but I was frustrated and decided to explore the basic techniques that would simplify this craft.
An online search found the Bonnie Gordon School of Cake Design. I thought a quick evening course in mini cakes would be enough to provide all the info I needed. But that led to the cupcake course, then on to novelty cakes, then preserves and the chocolate series is next. There will be many more.
Bonnie and her team of professional instructors come from a diverse base of talent, knowledge, and experience. Every aspect of this art form is covered and the school is energized with creativity and encouragement. Information flows and there are no small questions.
It is inspiring to realize that the end product is created to celebrate the most important events and special times in people’s lives.
In just 2 months Bonnie’s school has changed my life…
- My personal mystery has been solved. I’m really not obsessive compulsive. All of this time I have been trying to present food with same celebration that can only belong to a cake!
- I was able to create a special cake for my son’s engagement party, plus 2 milestone birthdays for close friends.
- By this summer I will be ready to take on my granddaughter 8th birthday.
- My entry in the seasonal competition actually won!
- I am now looking forward to wedding cakes.
- And - instead of thinking about retiring, I am training for a new profession.
Amazing! |
