Santa and Rudolf Taking a Break and Getting Reading for a Snowball Fight!

This famous duo needed to take a break before they set off on their worldwind tour of the world delivering their gifts to all the good little boys and girls....but not before they had their annual snowball fight!

This cake was made for a group of good boys and girls in the 4th grade in Ms. Martinez' class at P.S. 166Q in Astoria, New York, for their Holiday Party. Their teacher called me and left a message that was "crazy"!!! Never had I heard such a reception! I've heard oohs and ahhs and squeals of delight on previous deliveries....but this was totally insane! I felt like a rock star! The screams of glee and excitement were unbelievable! Wow!!! Now I know how Duff must feel when he delivers to Fenway Park! This is tooo cool!

Wow! The world of cakes has totally become outrageous! Such a simple delight to have become such a sensation!

Oh! I keep on forgetting...the flavor of the cake...One of my most popular....Red Velvet with a Cream Cheese Frosting! Yummo!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND CUSTOMERS!

MAY 2010 BRING WITH IT MUCH JOY AND LOVE AND HEALTH AND PROSPERITY TO ALL!!!!

Grand Opening of Creekside Market Place in Windham, New York

Mary and Lambros Flouras, the proud owners of the new Creekside Market Place in Windham, New York had their grand opening on December 19, 2009. To celeberate their long awaited dream come true, they asked me to create grand opening cupcakes for them.
Of course this cake designer couldn't leave it at that...so she (moi) created a cake to go with the cupcakes.
The cupcakes were designed like cherry pies and the main cake a simple yet elegant white cake with burnt orange whimsical roses, kissed with 24k gold dust.
Flavours...why Mary's favorite of course...Red Velvet and Cream Cheese Frosting.
Unfortunately, we were not able to attend due to the snow storm conditions that hit the Northeast. But we were there in spirit.
Mary promised to forward pictures of the opening. We're looking forward Mary!
The Creekside Market Place features gourmet delicasies as well as everyday staples. The warm environment and most hospitable owners make Creekside Market Place a must go to when you are in Windham, New York.
Here is wishing both Mary and Lambro great success in their new venture!
Can't wait to come up and sit in your enchanting shop by the creek with a cup of steaming coffee and great conversation!

My Newest Creation - The Angeliki

Angeliki and her hubby with "The Angeliki". They celebrated
at Limani Restaurant on Long Island.


Here is Angeliki, her hubby and beautiful daughter at

"mommy's" 30th!

This cake was made for Angeliki who turned 30 just the other day and celebrated her special day with her family. Angeliki loves roses and diamonds and her family of course!

Because of this I created this simply elegant cake. The initial inspiration was from a Tiffany Box. But of course I couldn't leave it at that...thus... the ribbon roses and edible sugar diamonds.

I know...I know...everyone is asking....what about the cake flavors. Well my dears....my most favorite of all....Deep Dark Decadent Chocolate with a Semi-Sweet Chocolate Ganache and Raspberry filling. Yummo! I'm so glad I had some cake left over....Dessert for moi tomorrow night!

Happy 30th Angeliki!

Testimonial

Good Morning!

The cake was amazing, of course! The response was great, everyone was wowed! People in the restaurant were oohing and ahhing!! The chocolate was a great choice, it was delicious!!! I'm glad I went with it!! I am honored that this cake will be known as the Angeliki!! Love it! I have attached photos for your blog! Thanks again and I cannot wait for the next time I order one of your yummy masterpieces!!

Filakia,

Angeliki

I Love New York Groom's Caken at Jessica's and Giuseppe's Tribeca Rooftop Wedding

When I asked Jessica what the theme was for Giussepe's groom's cake she said..."I want it to be all about him! He loves everything but everything about New York!"
Now I, being a native New Yorker, having been born in the Theatre District and living there for 22 years,
I was immediate enamoured with the theme. "Not to worry Jessica....I think I have an idea!"
Jessica gave me creative license to create a cake that would not only make her hubby-to-be happy but would surprise him at their wedding on the 29th of November at the Tribeca Rooftop.

After sketching the cake and making the deco's reflecting Joe's loves;

his being in the FDNY, loving the New York Knicks, going to Hunter, living

in Downtown Manhattan, cannoli's, Central Park and

can't forget Dunkin Donuts coffee, I called my

assistant....Lucy Ng to help put it together. We had

so much fun! The cake came together pretty quickly.

Well more quickly than had I worked on this alone.

Delivery day came...and surprisingly, our ride to

Tribeca wasn't fraught with tremendous traffic. Looked like

most people were still away for the Thanksgiving weekend!

When we arrived at the Rooftop, I was asked to put the cake in the

kitchen as it was a surprise for Joe.

Fun thing was that the Sushi Server's came in to watch me

put the final touches to the cake and to take pics!

Good thing I was wearing make-up!!! lol

Mission accomplished. Joe was surprised and Jessica was

happy.

Oh...the cake flavors....A moist white lemon cake

with a passion fruit wash, filled with lemon/coconut

Italian Merringue Buttercream! Yummmmmo!!!!

Juniper and Ivory Birthday Cake

This cake was created for a birthday...although I do believe it would suit any other event just as well.
The movement of the sea was captured in an abstract placement of wavy rolls of fondant pressed flat to the cake with bubbles and wavy sea flowers and floating pearls. The base color of the decorations was a juniper green "pearlized" with luster dust.
Under all the fondant? A chocolate black out and white cake with cookies and cream filling. Fondant tasted pretty good as well! Thanks Laura and Lois for creating such a fab fondant to work with. Your best kept secret is going to make us all up our game a lot more!

Center Stage at "Four" in Melville!

Okay...so I get a phone call from a gentleman asking for a cake for his wife's 40th birthday "surprise" celebration. Lucky lady to have such a husband. They're few and far between!

We made the appointment for a consultation. With him...he brought a picture of a Marc Jacobs Purse and Shoe. Right away...I loved the concept and with a tweak here and there, we came up with the color of the final product and what to put on the hardware to personalize the purse.
He decided on a white cake with Italian Merengue and Pineapple and Coconut filling...yummo!
Reminds me of a pina colada and my trip to the Bahamas!

The venue? Oh my goodness people! "Four" on Route 110. He told me there were four rooms, each one in the deco of a season. Ultra modern.I tried to envision the rooms but didn't get the full effect until I got there for the delivery. Totally amazing. I didn't want to leave. I'm not much for "modern" but this restaurant's decor was chic!!!! I plan on going back for dinner!

From the moment we walked in...My daughter Theodora and I were surrounded by the wait staff...then Josh....and then the chef came out....and several customers! We were asked if we were on Food Network! Wow...what a compliment! Is my head filling? Noooo! Just nice to hear and to see the reactions on people's faces. It's really cool making people happy.
Josh was so sweet (no pun intended) when he said..."We've had cakes in here before...but this cake is by far the best we've had at "Four!" (Thanks Josh!)

We were given a front and center table in front of a fireplace in the "Winter Room". My God...the effect was to die for! A red cake on a stark white tablecloth, in front of a modern stovepipe fireplace with snow white seating, uplit by a blue light emenating from each of the steps leading up to the cake! I felt like a star!

A special thanks to Chris L. for ordering the cake from me....and a Very Happy Birthday to Yvonne!

Casino Cake Anyone?

Ring....Ring....

Ring....Ring....

Thea? Hi there! I need a cake! It's Peter's 31st birthday and we're celebrating at Carmine's on the Upper West Side...Can you make a cake for me?

Of course you know the answer is going to be yes!

So, we threw around a couple of ideas, and came up with Peter's Casino Cake! What fun! The cake design included a Roulette Wheel with a mobile white board that landed on 31, some playing cards, dice, a roulette playing board, 3 cherries representing a slot machine....Hearts, Spades and Clubs and lots of gold coins springing from the top and strewn all around the board....and the cake spun....Now how is that for extreme?

The cake was delish too!!!!



When my daughter Theodora who was at the party came home...she said that the cake made a big hit...The other diners,oohed and aahed and even one of the chefs came out and wanted to meet the designer! (Me!)

Alas I wasn't there....but how cool when the chefs want to meet the creator of a cake!

My five minutes of fame. Too cool!

To my nephew Peter! Happy 31st Birthday! Dessie! Na ton herese!

On a side note...you know a cake is super awesome when your 2 year old nephew starts screaming when the cake is taken away from the table and starts pointing to where it's placed saying....."Cake!!!! Cake!!!!"

Addition to English Baking Girls.Blog

How could I forget Hufriz from India! Hufriz is a baking instructor at one of the colleges there!
Her work is beautiful as well!

English Baking Girls

It all started in 2006, when I was studying cake design at Squire's International School of Cake Decorating in London.

There we were 10 women from across the world, England, Cyprus, Germany, Holland, Mexico, Turkey and the U.S. sitting a long table with aprons, cake tools, tea cloths and fondant waiting to for our famed instructor, one of five world renowned sugar artists we were to meet that week, to begin our class.

While waiting, we shyly introduced ourselves.

Little did we know...that such a strong bond would be created between us. A bond that has led us to creating our group...The English Baking Girls! (Even though we all weren't English!)

My wonderful and talented friends, Claudia (Germany), June (England), Zacharoula (Cyprus), Emine (Turkey) and Nikki (Holland) and me Amelia (United States), remained on-line friends and we are pretty much still going strong.

I went to Cyprus to visit Zac in 2007, where she opened her sugar design shop, Sugar Designs, in Cyprus. I stayed there for a week to help out. She told me she was getting ready for a photo shoot and would I mind designing a cake for her. Of course I exclaimed joyfully. So I sat in her state of the art kitchen behind her charming storefront studio in Limassol, Cyprus and created the above cake which was featured in "Saloni Gamou" in 2007! (I have so got to get a photographer to shoot all of my other cakes!)

I taught her mother-in-law a hrisohera (golden hands) to make some of the rosettes. She was a fast learner, and did a pretty nice job on some of the flowers you see.

I was sad to leave Cyprus and my wonderful new friend Zac and her lovely family. But am so happy, that we remained friends.

We all continue to share ideas and techniques. I hope to someday meet up with my Baking Girls again in the very near future.

Zac and Claudia and June...I wish I were coming to Birmingham to meet up with you this year.

Maybe next time around!

Asian Influence Cake

I totally enamoured with the use of red and black and gold on cake! My gosh how it pops off the pics! I sound like I'm bragging...I'm sorry...but I simply can't keep my eyes off it!

The gold accent was done with 24K gold dust. So much better than regular luster dust. Just love the way the granules puddle into a liquid gold after adding a little vodka.

The twig you see with the flower blossoms was a heavy gauge wire coated with piping gel and very fine granulated sugar then painted with the gold dust.

Cool huh?

Having so much fun doing what I love.

Gotta go now....off to create a surprise cake for a very lucky young man for this weekend.

No....I'm not baking now!!! Just the sketch and the decorations. Baking is in a couple of day. We do pride ourselves in fresh, moist cakes!

Now How Did That Donkey Get on Top of Terry's and Mollie's Engagement Cake?

...and so the time came for this cake designer to create a special cake for her son's and daughter-in-law's engagement.

What does a designer do? Well as in any special cake project, one thinks of the couple and what their passions are as well as who they are as a couple and what they embrace.

Mollie and Terry have embraced our Greek heritage and culture. So much so that they are going to be married in our village of St. George, Sikousis on the handsome island of Chios, next summer.

Because of this, I decided to recreate a typical, white stucco'd village kafeneo (tavern) built probably in the early 1900's...replete with the blue patched doors, slightly shifted door jams, hanging tomatoes, a clothes line with drying beach clothing, a little cafe table with feta cheese, olives, a loaf of bread and a bottle of "ouzo" and of course the typical donkey....which by the way was NOT on the roof at the start of the party! Somehow, he made it's way up to the water resevoir tank to get a drink! I also added a display of drying almonds.

When YiaYia Maria (Terry's grandmother) was still with us, she would gather all of the almonds from our almond groves and sun dry them on the roof. Our kids would go up there and watch her shell the almonds and spread them to dry. It was my way of having her with us.

As was the eyelet cut lace curtains in the window, which YiaYia Theodora always had in her NY windows.

The kids, our families and friends (who by the way came from all over the country to be with us....from, Oregon to Minnesota to DC to South Carolina and of course all over NY... had a blast at Laterna Restaurant, in Bayside, New York. We ate scrumptious food, and danced to great Greek music until we dropped. Even Grandpa John, on cane straight from dialysis danced. The joy we all had in seeing Mollie and Terry together filled the room.

As we say in Greek...Kala Stefana kai E Hora E Kali! (Literal translation...it loses ... but here goes..."To your crowns and to the Good Hour" Meaning I think...to your wedding!"

Is this mom designer doing their wedding cake? Well...I will be designing it but as for the execution of it....on the Island....is a little hard. But I will be scouting for a bakery that can come through for us! Any ideas anyone?

We were made Cake of the Month by Fondarific!

Newly Formed Collaboration with French Pastry Chef Phillipe Fallait

We are so excited to announce the newly formed collaboration with French Pastry Chef/Owner Phillipe Fallait of Cafe Triskell.

Chef Phillipe is from Brittany, France, where he also studied the fine art of French Pastry.

He is formerly of the world famous NYC restaurant, Jean George, and has opened for another world class restaurant, in NYC.

Chef Phillipe owns Cafe Triskell where he serves traditional French crepes. His food has attracted the attention of many locals as well as people from his hometown of Brittany. "When they are happy, that makes you feel good. That means you're doing the right thing!"

Right on Chef....I feel the same way when my customers tell me they are happy with the creations I have made for them.

Chef Phillipe's sinfully delicious flavors combined with my creations will debute in two weeks. Stay tuned for the reviews and pics!

Cake Cake and More Cake!

The above cakes were made for my granddaughter Katie and for my greatniece Penelope.
Katie's cake was a chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream.
Penelope's cupcake themed cake was a chocolate cake with cookies and cream filling.

Lego's Anyone?

What does a Yiayia who designs cakes make for her grandson?

Well...first things first...she asks him what he would like for his

birthday cake!

Costaki loves Legos. And so...we created this cake for him.

There were three blocks of cake. After covering each one, I thought

I would remember what the flavors were....Not! We had to cut into

each one.

The cakes were made of a moist white cake filled with...

Bavarian Cream (Cake #1), Bavarian Cream and Cherries (Cake #2) and

Pineapple/Coconut for Cake #3!

We all had a lovely time.

Happy 7th Birthday Costaki! Many many many more!

Cartier Watch Groom's Cake

I absolutely love, love, love creating unsual cakes for "sweet"

people! No pun intended.

This Cartier watch nestled in a cake watch box was created

as a groom's cake.

Vickie S. called me several weeks ago asking if I could

design a groom's cake for her soon to be hubby Angelo Z.

for their wedding day. Vickie explained that she had purchased

a Cartier for her new husband and wanted to present it

to him at their wedding. But first, she was going to have the

cake brought out to Angelo during the reception and then

give him the watch. It was all hush hush! Just love these

scenarios.

Well...Vickie, I'm hoping that Angelo was surprised!

It was so much fun creating this for you!

May you and Angelo have many many many

happy and in love years together!

Under Wraps

It's been a week since my last "blogging". Just last night actually early this morning...3:30 to be exact, I finished my grandson's special "Lego's" cake. What started out as three simple, blocks of cake covered in the primary colors...red....yellow and blue....Turned out to have more details than I expected.

I was inspired by the simplicity of one of my cake sisters in Michigan and a cake brother in Washington....and was going to make the cake just like theirs...just altering the colors....but I couldn't do it! I couldn't bite off them! After the cake was completed...or so I thought...the blocks of cake in place, with the signature Lego interlocking pieces safely nestled on top of each block....I was ready to move on to my Cartier watch creation....and stopped. The cake screamed at me...you have to add your touch to this...this isn't who you are as a decorator of cakes. And soooooo.....one by one by one....I added little fondant Lego blocks as borders. Done. I thought! It needed more.

Yikes Amelia you're probably thinking....come on now...less is more! Yah...I agree in some cases.
But this cake still lacked that one thing that said .... Amelia Cakes. I closed my eyes....and called forth that little cake designer living inside my soul and let it do the work.

It's kind of scary letting go like that. And I try to stop it...but it simply takes over. Thank God for that. Because....when it's done...the hands stop...and not one more piece of fondant is rolled...pinched....cut...or piped!

Well....Lego Cake for Costa my youngest grandchild is complete and under wraps. Sitting safely in a very airconditioned room....waiting for delivery to his party!
Oh...flavors!!!! Cake #1...Vanilla Cake filled with a scrumptious pineapple/coconut filling,
Cake #2...Vanilla Cake filled with Bavarian Creme and Cherries, Cake #3...Vanilla Cake filled filled a creamy Vanilla Bavarian Cream. YUMMO!
It's still under wrap....
Until the unveiling tomorrow!
Now onto my Cartier watch cake.

The Look on Athan's and Angeliki's Faces Were Priceless!

Delivery of Captain Hook and Peter Pan meet Ariel and Melody is finally complete. We delivered to two beautiful children, nieces of Helen Skarla of Astoria Dance Studio for their 2nd and 4th birthdays respectively.
The unveiling was much anticipated. Both Athan and Angeliki and family stood around the shiny round kitchen table, where I have delivered and unveiled cakes before...and after each unwrapping of the saran film which was tenderly protecting their cake, their eyes got wider and wider with whispers of ooohs and then ahhs.

When the final piece of clear wrap was removed, the children's eyes were as big as saucers.
Matina their mom said she never saw Athan sit quietly for so long!
Each figure was taken in one by one. Each wave and coral pearl admired. The light brown sugar on the cake board very closely resembling a sandy beach was tasted. The pearl shells around the base were brought to the attention of the children. Angeliki, wanted to help put on the swirly waves. She wanted to taste the cake...and began poking her little finger at the fondant. We had to tell her to be patient and that at her party she will be able to eat as much as she wanted. But she had to taste something...so she picked a bit of the brown sugar.....mmmmmm. Then Athan followed suit. Mom had to contain our little cake lovers. ... or in this case sugar lovers.

We finally got the last swirly wave on. I took several photos of the children and their very special cake. I turned around for a second....and when I turned back...there was Angeliki full upper torso on the table....licking one of the waves! Absolutely...toooo cute. I couldn't pull my camera out fast enough to capture that moment!

I have had this experience with several of my wonderful clients. From brides to be, mother's to be, grooms, brides to birthday celebrants. Some more expressive than others, but wonderfully expressive nevertheless. Yet, I always get a kick out of creating for the Skarla family. And such a creative and beautiful family they are, from prima ballerina's to modern dancers and gymnasts.
Helen's daughter is an Olympic medalist for whom I created a cake for the anniversary of her winning her Bronze. It was a podium cake with the Olympic Rings, a Greek flag draped over the side and the rings and ribbons with which she won!

This my friends is what it's all about. Yes, it is the creative process, but it is more, it is the knowing that you have made someone very happy...especially a child. I suppose it is the archetype nurturer in me that prods me to continue what I am doing.

And now on to my next cake journey....the creation of a cake which is going to be a surprise for a groom....and so I really can't tell you (sworn to secrecy) what it is for whom just yet, and a cake for my darling grandson Costaki who turned 7 this summer and for whom I am making a Leggo's themed cake. (Which by the way we designed together while sitting on the balcony in his grandparent's home in Dafnona, Chios, Greece. Very simple...but oh so Costaki. This Yiayia can't wait to get to it.
So with apron on and baseball cap atop of my head....off I go to my little kitchen to begin "caking" yet once again.

....and the cake journey continues.

Melding Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Melody and Ariel

It's Saturday afternoon, and I've just finished putting the canvas onto a two tiered wonky cake for two beautiful siblings, Athan and Angelina. This year they want Captain Hook with Peter Pan for Athan and Ariel with Melody for Angelina.
I must be totally out of the loop...I had to look up "Melody". After a google search found that she is a relative of Ariel. Some say she's Ariel's daughter...others say she's Ariel's sister. Now which is it! I know that Ariel and the Prince were in a relationship...did they get married in one of the movies? Did they have Melody together?
Anyway...the figures are ready...the canvas is ready...and this cake designer is about to pull it all together...How? Well once I get to the blank cake before me I'll know exactly where I will be headed.
Now don't get me wrong...I always sketch something before I execute...but always allow myself artistic license and go with what the cake dictates. It's such a high feeling seeing something come together after days of preparation.
Well...off I go to play with some fondant and Tylose C and food coloring.
For my friends unfamiliar with Tylose C...its the powder cake decorators use to firm up fondant when we make figures and decorations. Most times the fondant is much too soft for such work so a little dash or so of Tylose give a workable consistency. It's great when you've run out of gumpaste or want to put some decorations flat to the surface of your cake and don't want the awful tasting gumpaste ruining the flavor of your cake.
Ciao for now...I hear Peter Pan and Ariel calling my name!

The Cake Journey Begins

I have finally done it. I pushed my fears aside and decided to put myself out there and create a blog....a cake blog.

After reading "Let Me Eat Cake" and "Julie and Julia" I was inspired to push myself to do this.

I have to confess...I have a passion...a passion to create. For many years I had been searching for a creative outlet. And every avenue I took always lead me to something in food.

After a short but very eventful trip to London about three years ago, while visiting my son who was working there...I thought I'd take a week long course with the masters in Cake Design at Squire's International School of Cake Decorating in Farnham, England....a quaint village about 45 minutes from London.

There I met the most interesting and glorious people...all there with the same mindset...to create. I'm still friends with several of our "Baking Girls" from across the globe. We still share stories and ideas. More on that later on.

Back to Squire's and me. Well...I took a liking to this new craft. I had seen a show then..The Ace of Cakes, and thought...hmmmm...I might be able to create something like Duff's cakes...and it might be fun! But...I didn't have the skill base. Thus the trip to Squires to get my first taste of fondant skills. After a week with the brilliant...Maise Parrish, Alan Dunn, Ann Skipp, Tombi Peck, and Paddi Clark and then ....the icing on the cake....Debbie Brown....I was hooked....hook, line and sinker. There was no going back! I had to get more.

With fondant rollers and sculpting tools and new sugar paste flowers packed safely away in my Vera Bradley suitcase, saying ciao to my son for now, I hopped back onto my Virgin Atlantic flight back to New York, plopped my suitcase in my hallway...went straight to the phone and signed up with The French Culinary Institute in NYC for another weeklong class in Cake Decorating. Chef Cynthia Peithman of Cakeline was my chef instructor. I learned so much...but craved more cake....So....you guessed it...after several months of practicing all of my new skills, and several trash bags filled with "not so perfect" cakes...You will get to know...that I am a perfectionist....won't let anything out of my kitchen that isn't perfect....I began creating cakes for my grandchildren. Ah...the ooohs and the ahhhs I received warmed this yiayia's (Greek for grandma) heart. They were smitten with the cakes....I absorbed their approval and smiling faces.

One cake led to another and another cake class with the brilliant Colette Peter's and then back to London for......another Master Class....and now my little business.....Amelia Cakes!

So here I am...blogging about cake. Don't know where this will lead me...but I'm willing to make the journey.