FROST (diaries)

Happy Birthday, Esmee!

2012-02-20T18:02:00.002-05:00

Cake for a Queen

2012-02-20T18:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Michael!

2012-02-20T17:58:00.000-05:00

Happy LOVE Day!

2012-02-14T17:55:00.000-05:00

Julie & Jerrod

2012-02-03T22:45:00.000-05:00

Adriana's Baptism

2012-01-11T22:03:00.001-05:00

Paris meets Moose?

2012-01-11T21:04:00.009-05:00

Tip #756 - Lure in the Moose with a batch of fresh macarons. NEVER leave home without them.

Cake Walk: Wedding Cake Edition

2011-12-18T23:35:00.001-05:00

This past May, I had the honour of competing on Slice Networks television series, Cake Walk.

Cake Walk is a competition between three professional Canadian cake designers competing for a $5,000 prize. Host Caroline Rhea guides viewers through the competition with David MacCarfrae, Alexandria Pellegrino and Gordon Bailey on the judging panel.

With my sister by my side, we rocked out a halloween themed wedding cake in just 7 HOURS - No design was made a head of time.

Here is peak at our finished product.

Happy Birthday, Rob

2011-12-17T23:16:00.015-05:00

I had the pleasure of designing Rob's, Tryst Toronto, 30th birthday cake this year.

If a picture could say a 1000 words, this cake could tell the story of a true life event in Rob's world.

Super Mario Bros.

2011-09-27T00:53:00.000-04:00

Shawna & Peter

2011-09-14T01:24:00.004-04:00

"We absolutely LOVED the wedding cake all of the goodies. Everything exceeded our expectations and your designs were so, so, so beautiful!!! Thank you so much for helping us make our day a day to remember and thank you for taking me on as a client!!!! You can expect more calls from us in the future!" - Shawna

Photography by Andreas

Shridevi & Brian

2011-09-14T01:02:00.001-04:00

Carnival Time

2011-09-14T01:00:00.002-04:00

To be honest, I wish I was a kid today. Not for the luxury of being legally unable to work (child labour law), fast metabolisms (eating all the candy and chocolate I want... this is why they put an age limit to Halloween) and priorities that include updating Facebook status'... I want to be a kid again because birthday parties just aren't what they used to be and I never got a super cool tiered birthday cake growing up.

Sure, they tasted great. My mom would make a big round homemade chocolate cake that domed on the top with chocolate frosting smothered around it (no layering!!!!). Some years I got really lucky and she would take some chocolate chips and place them on the top of the cake so it would smile at me. Parties were usually during my lunch breaks and my mom would scoop up me and 3 of my friends to have lunch at McDonalds.

Kid's parties today are a lot more sophisticated with games, decor, entertainment, confections, and a guest list of attendees. Is it wrong that i'm a bit jealous?

I received a call from Nelly a few weeks ago who was throwing a carnival theme (LOVE it) party for her son Kamron's 10th birthday - how cool is that! We brainstormed on a few ideas and here was the final cake design that made it to the party. Happy Birthday Kamron!

Michelle & Gavin

2011-09-13T01:15:00.002-04:00

"OMG I loved our wedding cake! It taste amazing and it looked sooooo beautiful!!" - Michelle

Elmo Loves You

2011-09-13T01:00:00.003-04:00

The Gooooch

2011-09-13T00:56:00.002-04:00

I'd like to think that if someone ever made me a birthday cake, it would look something like this. You know, to match all my gifts.

Alykhan & Salima

2011-09-13T00:42:00.002-04:00

I have a mini obsession with traditional indian weddings - I love them. They're bright and colourful, filled with rituals and traditions, there is always an abundance of people (many unknown to the bride and groom) and the best part is that they last for several days. They begin with the pre-wedding ceremony (ok, so it's like the western equivalent of a rehearsal dinner... but they just seem so much more fun and it's also where the women get to apply the mehndi, or henna, to their hands and feet), then the actual wedding day with traditions of the Baraat, the Varmala and the Satphere, and usually end with the Vidaai.

For those who know me, colour isn't something I have much of. I mean, in terms of fashion NOT personality. But when it comes to cakes... I can't get enough.

Congratulations to Alykhan & Salima on the celebration of their wedding. I'm so happy that I was able to contribute to your special day.

A special thank you to Kristina for helping me make this cake come to life.

Big Wuuupppp!

2011-09-12T23:25:00.001-04:00

Similar to fashion, confections tend to make a come-back once in a while. The cupcake craze 6 years ago was huge, followed by the sophisticated homemade marshmallows of 2010. In early 2011, generation y'ers become familiar with the once popular Whoopie Pies. Once known as huckelbucks, Amish American women would suprise their farmers with these treats in their lunch boxes. When the farmers found them, they would shout "whoopie!".
... Some things don't change.

Calla Lily Love

2011-07-26T00:25:00.004-04:00

This cake design I did was fun for me. This couple originally had their wedding ceremony in the States and was having a smaller celebration with their Canadian friends and family.

Wanting to keep their theme and style the same, they sent me a picture of their original wedding cake (see below) and asked me to re-create it in a smaller version.

Like any other artist, everyone has their own style. Here are a few pictures of what I designed for the newly married couple based on the original design.

Roses are Pink

2011-07-26T00:20:00.000-04:00

J'Adore Macaron

2011-06-24T23:16:00.001-04:00

My parents recently got back from a vacation in Paris. Before they left, my mom asked me what I wanted back from Paris... Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin (okay, maybe she didn't really say that... it was more like, don't kill my plants while we're gone), but I did make a request for the infamous Parisian Macaron from Maison Laduree.

Well, for a non-obssesed macaron patron, it would be easy to forget the name Laduree (as my mom did). So, it was natural that she felt like she hit the jackpot while strolling down Champs-Elysees and finding a macaron boutique. By day five and many dozens of macarons later, she realized the popularity of these tiny confections and also became obsessed with the hunt of getting me macarons from every boutique she passed.

Here are a few shots of macarons and guimauves, straight from the streets of Paris:

Festival of Macarons - Chicago, IL

2011-06-24T22:36:00.036-04:00

I'm obsessed with macarons (and if you followed me on twitter you already knew that). In the beginning of May 2011, I enrolled in the Festival of Macarons course at the French Pastry School of Chicago. The class was taught by world-renowned Master Pastry Chef, Stephane Glacier, entrepreneur and consultant of pastry and confectionery arts.

In this three-day hands-on workshop we learned how produce all kinds of macarons, like the Dutch macaron, the Gerber macaron, the Nancy macaron and the Classic Parisian macaron. The Chef also taught complimentary confections to the macarons such as lavender creme glacee, green apple sorbet, nougat, and croquembouche/pate choux.

The whole experience was absolutely incredible. To be able to work in a state of the art kitchen alongside a team of like-minded individuals who share the same work and passion, and to be taught by the best of the best and learn the true secret of a parisian macaron.

A special shout-out to my partner, Riki Tanabe, Pastry Chef at Albemarle Baking Company in Charlottesville, VA. Thank you so much for all your help and for making us the "dream team" of the class. You are an incredible teacher and I appreciate all your tips and tricks and more that you shared with me.

Here are a few pictures from the course:

Hello, Cupcake!

2011-06-21T00:17:00.001-04:00

Pistachio

Milk Chocolate Ganache

Mango Passionfruit

Red Velvet

Peanut Butter

Salted Raspberry

Carrot Cake

Salted Caramel

Cookie Crumbles

Tanya's Baby Shower

2011-06-12T23:51:00.004-04:00

This weekend we held a baby shower for my older sister, Tanya. It's kind of a big deal in my family because she's the first "child" who's having a "child" so many family and friends crowded my parents place to celebrate the upcoming birth of my new niece (in case you can't tell by the colour scheme I went with, it's a girl).

In the past month my sister has become pretty popular in the "cake world" when she assisted me in a couple cake competitions. Dozens of fellow cake designers and audience members would come up to her and say, "wow - you're seven and a half months pregnant and you're competing in this challenge, you're amazing"... (or better) tell me, "I can't believe you would ask your seven and a half months pregnant sister to compete with you in this intense cake competition (insert angry face)".

But my sisters a rockstar (side note, she actually runs her own physiotherapy clinic, http://www.thephysiopros.com/, by day and has no cake design experience - I use her because she's a fellow virgo and just really good with her hands) and I couldn't image ever doing these challenges without her. I love her and I can't wait to meet her new baby.

Spring Fever

2011-06-12T23:23:00.001-04:00

April showers brought May/June flowers. Well, maybe not on the streets of Toronto (that's more like April May June showers period), but definitely in my cake studio. I don't know if the weather has anything to do with it but colours and florals have been dominating requests of my celebration cakes this year. Not that I'm complaining, I mean after spending a full day assembling these cakes, I feel pumped with Vitamin D... and to be honest, our cloudy skies have made "staying-in to work" a lot easier.

Kimberly & Michael

2011-05-16T17:24:00.000-04:00

The Cake Show

2011-05-15T19:48:00.000-04:00

... and of course, here are the cakes from the other competitors.

This cake was completed by Beth Appleton and won the grand prize.

This cake was completed by Nadia Colella.

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T15:48:00.001-04:00

Steve & Christina

2011-05-08T15:47:00.000-04:00

Cara & Shaun, Graydon Hall Beauty

2011-05-01T18:43:00.003-04:00

Steven & Leora, Contemporary Couture

2011-05-01T18:39:00.004-04:00

I’ll admit, I have a tendency to fall in love with my clients. Although I might be a bit of a marriage cynic in my own life, I somehow become completely entrenched into the love stories of everyone else.

Steven and Leora were no exception. There was something about them that captivated me from the start and I was thrilled when they asked me to design the cake for their wedding.

By the way, Steven owns an incredible entertainment production company. Click here for more info: MK Productions.

Growing in popularity are individually packaged mini cakes. I absolutely LOVE the idea of having a replica of your wedding cake given to all the guests as the main dessert or party favour because they become the WOW element for any event.

I've said it before, but mini cakes are like backward Oreo cookies. The idea and the final designs are spectacular, but assembling them... not so much. After covering these 200 mini cakes with fondant, I was just thankful to have 24 hour access to the hands of my physiotherapist sister.

Aidan's First Communion

2011-05-01T18:36:00.002-04:00

Pretty in Pink

2011-05-01T18:35:00.003-04:00

I wish everyone could meet Bree. She’s just one of those people who I truly believe could make the world a better (and prettier) place. Owner of Lovely Events, Bree’s latest project was to plan an “everything pink” baby shower and briefed me on her sweet table inspired decor. I appreciate when clients can provide me with an exact vision of what they want because it challenges me to be able to exceed their expectations.

Here are some pictures of the sweet table we put together.

The Cake Show

2011-04-24T19:09:00.004-04:00

Come and watch me compete against two talented cake designers at this years annual Cake Show in Toronto. Competitors have 6 hours to complete an edible masterpiece in our interpretation of the theme, The Four Seasons.

Location: Artscape Wychwood Barns

When: Sunday, May 15, 2011 @ 12:00pm

(Winners announced at 5pm)

Wish me luck!!!

For more information, please visit www.thecakeshow.com.

Save a Bunny, Eat a Macaron

2011-04-24T17:09:00.000-04:00

HAPPY EASTER!
(Courtesy of my bestie, Maggie)

Gateau Givenchy

2011-03-25T21:10:00.000-04:00

Inspired by Cate Blanchett's Givenchy Oscar 2011 gown. Edible Art.

Trials and Tribulations of a Cake Designer: Transporting

2011-03-06T13:30:00.002-05:00

Many will agree that one of the toughest and most stressful parts of running your own cake design business is the delivery.

On the Food Network Challenges, the music cues and the dramatic sounds waves through the audience as the competitors are asked to move their cakes from their working station to the presentation table one meter in front of them.

Every week I deliver my creations all over the city. It would be typical for me to drive through over 7 stop signs, 25 traffic lights and an array of bad drivers before I arrive at my destination. Weather condition is another lemony snicket... sure, our 6 months of snowy road conditions and sporadic rainfalls don't help, but neither do those hot summer days when the temperature hits 30 degrees celsius and I have a butter based cake sitting in my back seat.

I remember one incident late last year when my girlfriend and I had to deliver a cake from downtown Toronto to Muskoka, about a two hour drive. When we hit Vaughan (about 30 minutes in), my breaks warning light went on (the image with the exclamation mark wrapped in parenthesis). Awesome. (Side note: it was pouring rain and I drive a rear-wheel car). But only a cake designer knows, there's never time to spare and delivering a wedding cake late was unthinkable, so we kept going. Needless to say, the cake made it and so did we.

One thing I've learned is that it is very important that cake designers assemble a "cake kit" - like a first aid kit - filled with all the necessary tools you need to fix any damages during transportation. Sometimes I like to call my backseat a cake hospital. I've had to perform a few surgeries in my time but I'm happy to say we've had a zero percent death rate.

Packaging Made Perfect

2011-03-05T21:17:00.002-05:00

I was born a Virgo. Some say it's my biggest weakness (those who have problems with perfection, that is), others my biggest strength. But one thing is clear, when it comes to my products, I like to make things look as perfect as possible.

I'm very matchy-matchy and like consistency, organization and an overall perfect presentation. My secret fetish... packaging. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I get when I walk into a 'paper and things' boutique and become surrounded by embossed wrapping paper and handmade cards with 3D effects... pads of papers with daily quotes and empty boxes made from thick cardstock or plastic... and the agendas (even though it could be the middle of July and no-need for one in the current year or too early to start planning the next). I always leave with absolutely nothing I need.... yet, an array of possibilities.

One of the favourite parts of my job is packaging my products. For me, it's the final cherry on top.

Welcome to Candyland

2011-03-05T20:49:00.003-05:00

"Where is Pearl Harbor?" I asked my fourth-grade history class. "Here’s a hint: It’s a place where everyone wants to go." One student blurted out, "Candy Land!" - Readers Digest

Many of my friends get excited when they see or hear about the Candyland game. It brings back memories of childhood events. Not me. I actually never even heard about Candyland (thanks, mom) until about month ago when I received a cake request from a client.

Similar to the Monopoly board I designed a few weeks back, I like to thoroughly investigate new projects to ensure that I maximize all the little details that only a "player" would know. So two weeks before the execution, I began my research. I picked up my own copy of the Candyland game from a local toy store, 3 pounds of gumballs from bulkbarn and a couple bottles of wine from the liquor store (it was my selling point to get my friends to give up their Friday night - what can I say, I needed 2+ players).

I don't think the wine bottles contributed positively to the analysis and the gumballs made my teeth hurt after 2 minutes of chewing... but the game was loads of fun and I was excited to execute the project. See below for some pictures.

How to Eat a Cupcake

2011-02-23T07:58:00.000-05:00

Winter ONEderland

2011-02-21T11:53:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, my girlfriends daughter celebrated her first birthday with a themed party titled, "ONEderland". (I know, koodos to my overly talented and creative girlfriend, Sonia, who came up with it!)

When I walked into her house to deliver the cake the place was decorated to the nine. Huge blue and white balloons, sweet tables, snowflake backdrops, candy bowls, decorated marshmallows. I was completely blown off my feet (and I've seen my fair share of dressed up wedding halls and snazzy parties).

But at the same time, I would never expect anything less from her. It's who she is and these amazing things just come naturally to her (insert jealousy here).

MON-AWW-POE-LEE

2011-02-21T11:12:00.004-05:00

Blaine loves Monopoly. Whether for the deeper meaning of market domination of a single entity or just light-hearted fun of the game, I don't know.

When my clients request celebration cakes, many of them don't come with pre-determined ideas on what they want. We chat a little bit about the person who will be receiving the cake and together we come up with the best fit.

To maximize the potential of this cake, I knew I had to have the actual board game with me throughout the design process. When I fished through my pile of games at home, I must have picked out every single release of Monopoly (Junior, Visa, Canada, etc) except for the original version. Who would have thought I shopped with the trends?!?

I found the original game at a local toy shop and spent the evening playing a round of the game with friends before kicking the cake into gear. Here are a couple pictures of the final project.

SUPERBOWL 45!

2011-02-06T18:19:00.001-05:00

As the Packers and Steelers prepped for the big day, I was prepping for a big cake to celebrate this years Superbowl. Besides the half-time show, I'm even getting excited for the actual game (insert smirk here).

All I have left to say is.... Black and Yellow Black and Yellow Black and Yellow Black and Yellow.

As Seen in Weddingbells Spring Summer 2011

2011-01-24T17:24:00.005-05:00

Love Day

2011-01-23T17:18:00.006-05:00

Just a reminder boys and girls - Valentine's Day is only three weeks away.

Love Boxes are now available from Frost.

What's a Love Box? A beautiful pink box tied with a large white ribbon and filled with your choice of Raspberry and Vanilla Bean macaroons, Raspberry and Vanilla Bean Guimauves, or Raspberry and Vanilla Bean cupcakes.

Wedding Cake Consultation

2011-01-22T10:30:00.003-05:00

Hello, Sweet 2011!

2011-01-21T22:17:00.004-05:00

I can't believe this is my first blog of 2011 - has it already been 3 weeks?

Many people have already kick started this year by joining a gym, eating healthier and overall just trying to be better people. As delightful as those resolutions sound, my new year resolution was to get my newly branded company, FROST CAKE CO. on the map.

Dividing my time between my graphic designer, web site designer and marketing and brand manager - I've filled the only remaining spare time with over 20 wedding cake consultations. Did I mention it's January 21?

So farewell gym - healthy eating what? It's going to be one sweet year for me!

xoS.

PS. Don't forget to check out my new webpage at http://www.frostyourlife.com/.

Chris & Diane: A Muskoka Retreat

2010-10-31T19:48:00.003-04:00

Baby Love

2010-10-31T19:20:00.001-04:00

After a marathon of wedding cakes, it was nice to take a breather and work on a "fun cake" with bright colours, polka dots and BABY BOOTIES!

But the most fun I had was carving the cake stand to hold the cake up on top of the cake board. I carved it out of styrofoam and covered it with fondant. It's something new, not blue (it's purple - for gender neutral!), and at least this is one cake stand they didn't have to borrow. They can keep it :)

This Cake Stinks...

2010-10-26T11:49:00.002-04:00

My girlfriend, Lori, made this cake for her friend who got sprayed by a skunk. A bit of a nasty joke, you can't help but chuckle at the idea.

What can I say... I had to share!

Asif & Diana

2010-10-03T22:25:00.004-04:00

J'Adore Christian Louboutin

2010-10-03T22:21:00.002-04:00

Maggie & Mike

2010-09-21T11:54:00.004-04:00

One of the most satisfying moments as a cake designer is being able to provide your family and friends with edible art sculptures that contribute and compliment key events in their life.

My friendship with Maggie dates quite a bit back and although I knew it was inevitable (I would have forced her regardless), I was thrilled when she asked me to make her wedding cake.

Congratulations to you both! xo

Isabella Rose's Baptism

2010-09-21T11:44:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to ME!

2010-09-18T22:10:00.002-04:00

Today I celebrated my birthday - and besides my traditional McCains Deep and Delicious birthday cake that I religiously have every year (yyuummmmm!!!)... my beautiful mother made me my very own custom designed cake. Her first one ever - and the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Loves it.

Rebecca & Tony

2010-09-16T14:54:00.001-04:00

Bree & Krystian - Cutting the Cake

2010-09-16T14:51:00.007-04:00

Deidre & Vince

2010-09-16T14:45:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday, Jenn

2010-09-14T14:57:00.000-04:00

Erna & Fedza

2010-08-31T16:30:00.003-04:00

Bree & Krystian

2010-08-20T14:46:00.004-04:00

Standing 4.7 feet tall, weighing close to 300 pounds and decorated with 370 handmade sugar roses... this was my first gigantic masterpiece. Where was the Slice TV or the Food Network while I was putting this together? People love drama - and this would have made a great episode.

I thought I would add a picture of my sister and I standing next to the cake, too.

As Seen on Party Mamas

2010-08-08T10:33:00.004-04:00

Alex's Sweet Sixteen Cake. Stay tuned for more details on when this cake will appear on the Slice Network's hit series, Party Mamas!

press release

2010-07-29T21:21:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Frost Yourself with Sophisticated Flavours and Modern Designs

Toronto, Ontario – July 30, 2010

"Give me the luxuries of life and I will gladly do without the necessities" – Frank Lloyd Wright

By Sonya owner, Sonya Tsui, is pleased to announce the launch of her new online website, www.frostyourlife.com. This online boutique offers customers an opportunity to take a glimpse into the world of modern designs and sophisticated flavours… How sweet it is!

"I really wanted to put together a simple, albeit informative website for my products", states Sonya. "I offer modern day alternatives to those traditional cakes, cupcakes, and cookies that are in the market today and I wanted an online boutique to be a reflection of what I offer. My designs are simple, but make powerful statements that compliment any event or even for just an everyday indulgence".

modern designs…
"We have seen a major shift in the cake design industry over the past few years… and it is my passion to bring you the very latest in design trends accompanied with quality taste", states Sonya. Cakes have become one of her hottest selling items since she began offering them in her product line a little over a year ago. With creations using edible designs made from sugar based products such as gum paste, fondant, and royal icing, Sonya describes her cakes as, "a little story of the person it's made for".

This high quality line of modern designs for cakes, cupcakes and cookies have been featured in Canadian Family Magazine, Weddingbells Magazine, Slice Network's Party Mamas and www.sweetspot.ca- targeting mothers, brides-to-be and everyday fashionistas.

sophisticated flavours…
Although offering traditional flavours such as miss white (vanilla cake with vanilla frosting) and mr black (chocolate cake on chocolate frosting), Sonya has expanded her menu to include a range of sophisticated flavours. Using all-natural quality ingredients, try new flavours, such as chai (spiced cake with chai and cinnamon frosting), euphoria (chocolate base with white chocolate frosting), chocolate peanut butter banana (layers of chocolate and banana cake with peanut butter frosting), and mango passionfruit(vanilla cake with real mango and passionfruit purees poured into the buttercream).

With a studio located downtown Toronto, all orders can be picked up or delivered for your convenience. At this time, no retail location is available, however, be sure to email Sonya at info@frostyourlife.com, to be placed on her distribution list for invites to her cupcake parties where you can have the opportunity to sample all her flavours.

To indulge yourself in endless possibilities of flavours and designs go to www.frostyourlife.com. You deserve it.

Interview Contact: Sonya Tsui, Owner & Principle Cake Designer
Telephone: 416 - 617-2222
Email address: info@frostyourlife.com
Web address: www.frostyourlife.com
Facebook: Frost Diaries

Rob's Opthomology's Gradutation

2010-07-17T10:36:00.001-04:00

Heni's Sweet Sixteen

2010-07-17T10:35:00.002-04:00

Baby Maloney

2010-07-03T14:56:00.000-04:00

Bree's Bridal Shower

2010-06-14T14:29:00.004-04:00

This was definitely one of my favourites - bouquets of cupcakes with handmade sugar roses.

I really like this as a substitute for cakes (and cupcakes) because it can serve many purposes. 1) It's dessert! And people can just come up to the display and pick up a cupcake. 2) It can compliment the decor and theme of a party. 3) It provides the ultimate wow factor. The only downfall I would say is that this replica of a bouquet of roses just might not last as long as the real thing...

Happy Birthday, Oliver

2010-05-30T14:37:00.004-04:00

When Toni first came to me and asked me to make baby Oliver's birthday cake - I couldn't have been more excited. Baby Oliver is the cutest baby ever! (I'll post a picture if I can get one). But when Toni told me the theme of the party was Yo Gabba Gabba, my response was 'WHAT?!?... WHO?!?' (and you know all you non-children readers are thinking the same thing!)

It forced me to do something that I haven't done in years... I turned my tv onto the YTV network and waited for the show to come on.

Baby Brooke

2010-05-16T15:48:00.001-04:00

Bree & Krystian - Engagement Party

2010-03-20T10:27:00.003-04:00

perfect party treats

2010-03-10T01:36:00.003-05:00

he shoots, he scores...

2010-03-10T01:27:00.005-05:00

This past weekend, I was asked to design a cake for a hockey themed party. My client and I brainstormed on a handful of ideas of possible cake designs - such as a big hockey puck, a skating rink, a jersey, etc. I don't think either of us were completely sold on any of the ideas but we settled on designing a hockey bag filled with stuff that Joe likes.

Less then a week before the event, I (along with every other Canadian) was watching the Olympic Men's final hockey game - Canada vs. USA - and it hit me. A life-sized cake of the Stanley Cup.

... Three sleepless nights later, it was finished.

Manicure Party

2010-03-07T16:54:00.002-05:00

zio's cake

2009-11-23T22:27:00.010-05:00

My girlfriend Isabelle Loiacono gave me the idea about the corkscrews around the cake when she used this concept for a wine bottle cake she designed on behalf of the Bonnie Gordon School.

shayna's cake

2009-10-20T20:28:00.007-04:00

Something for Fall...

2009-10-18T20:08:00.001-04:00

roses and bows

2009-10-04T23:50:00.001-04:00

lions and tigers and bears... or cubs?

2009-09-23T18:59:00.000-04:00

just clowning around...

2009-09-23T18:52:00.004-04:00

the present cakes

2009-08-17T15:01:00.005-04:00

rehab sundays at the hard rock

2009-08-17T14:39:00.006-04:00

I LOVE Rehab Sundays at the Hard Rock! ... and I was SO EXCITED when a client had contacted me requesting a cake for a pool party that she was throwing and calling, REHAB SUNDAY. Brilliant!
Everything on this cake is made from edible material, but mostly sugar paste and fondant. There are so many more details and designs from the party that I wanted to include in this cake - cabanas & bars, and more palm trees, umbrellas and beach chairs - but I had to keep in mind that it only needed to feed ten people, so I scaled back from my imagination of this huge, crazy and wild pool party. Oh wait... I guess its not really my imagination.

Jenilyn & Vu

2009-08-10T17:05:00.003-04:00

what happens in vegas

2009-07-10T23:01:00.003-04:00

in the jungle

2009-07-10T22:55:00.007-04:00

cake and the city

2009-06-23T11:32:00.004-04:00

"Shopping for Labels, Shopping for Love. Manolo or Louis, it's all I'm thinking of".

When I look at this cake I designed - it reminds me of Sex and the City. The roses at a touch of love to the design, and the colours are very New York, Chic and not cheap, Stylish, Trendy, with all around sophistication. Like Audrey Hepburn, or Marilyn Monroe, or better, Carrie Bradshaw. That's why the theme song to the Sex and the City movie seemed so fitting to sing.

"Gucci.. Fendi.. Prada purses.. purchasing them finer things. Men they come a dime a dozen.. just give me them diamond rings. I’m into a lot of bling.. Cadillac Chanel and Coach"

(red) love

2009-06-23T11:06:00.005-04:00

This was a cake I designed for a special couple who was celebrating their 40th Anniversary.
Red is the symbolic colour that represents this anniversary year, so I decided to use the traditional red rose as the focal point of the design. I individually put together each rose, petal by petal, and dusted it with a ruby red colour.
The red velvet gathering on the bottom tier was used because I felt it captured two points: One being the focus on the colour red - and red velvet seemed to add class and tradition to the cake, and the second is the "bottom of a brides dress feel" that I felt it gave the cake, with the gatherings and subtle roses designs.
This cake was filled with my infamous frappe flavour - which is layers of lindtt chocolate cake, caramel frosting and infused with a creamy caramel (like that drizzle that they put ontop of carmel frappaccinos at Starbucks!)

Winner - Cake Tasting Challenge

2009-06-06T11:35:00.008-04:00

To all you cake and cupcake eating enthusiasts, my cake has just won the Cake Tasting Challenge at this years Cake Show!
Which cake, you ask? My dee-lishious and ever-so-popular Red Velvet cake, also called ROUGE on my flavour list!

The Cake Show, hosted by The Bonnie Gordon School, was held this past Sunday, May 31, 2009 at the Artscape Wychwood Barns. It was a great event and all proceeds to The Stop Community Food Centre,www.thestop.org.

Check out, www.bonniegordoncakes.com, for more information on the school and to see my name as this years Cake Tasting Challenge recipient.

Check out, www.theweddingco.com/thedailynews/?p=2558, for a review of the show from Wedding Expert, Catherine Lash.

showered with cake

2009-06-01T15:15:00.004-04:00

These are a couple designs that I created for my dear sister's bridal shower.

The first is a three-tiered cake with layers of chocolate cake, lindtt chocolate ganache, and creamy caramel filling. To decorate the cake I created three raspberry pink flowers that had a touch of gold to match the gold trimmed border.
I also added vanilla bean cupcakes for those non-chocolate enthusiasts and topped them with my favourite green roses.

monkEE-ing around

2009-06-01T15:14:00.003-04:00

noah's ark

2009-04-25T23:47:00.011-04:00

So we all know the story of Noah's Ark - The big guy above got a little angry and made it rain for 40 days and 40 nights and everything (and everyone) got washed away... except for Noah and his ark of animals.

But when I look at these pictures, all I can think about is... Old McDonald had a farm, eee... iii... eee... iii... o...
and on his farm he had a GIRAFFE, eee... iii... eee... iii... o...
with an OINK OINK here, and an OINK OINK there... here an OINK, there an OINK, everywhere an OINK OINK.

But really, I designed this cake to represent Noah's Ark and I made it for the cutest baby ever, LUKAS.

roses are red...

2009-04-21T17:20:00.007-04:00

No wait, roses are pink and yellow.
Each rose was delicately designed and hand painted to add the cherry on top of these delightful mini cakes.

To compliment your next event, have your guests take home a piece of cake!

something blue

2009-02-25T16:20:00.006-05:00

"I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best." - Oscar Wilde

sonya's note

2008-07-08T09:30:00.001-04:00

The evolution of cupcakes dates back to the 19th century when women started baking “small cakes” to save time from their hectic schedules. As simple as it may seem, this was a revolutionary moment in the history of baking.

As we progress through the years, cupcakes & cakes have become more sophisticated in both flavour and design. Apple, chai & green tea are some examples of frosting that I offer in my product line. Rich, yet subtle, these frostings are made with the finest ingredients of sugar, butter, and real flavouring, using absolutely no preservatives. But besides great taste, the real treat comes in the designs of product.

During my childhood, my mother had always made my birthday cakes. She would whip together all the ingredients from scratch and bake it, with high hopes that the centre of the cake wouldn’t sink (this was before Betty Crocker came out with those non-sinkable recipes). I remember always wanting to open the oven as it was baking, hoping to grasp a wisp of smell from this freshly baked cake, but remembering that it could come out looking like a volcano if I ever did. Once the cake was baked, my mother would mix together some frosting, smothering it all over the cake (no layering), and finish it off with pieces of candy resembling that of a happy face.

So here I am, offering cupcakes and cakes with the same great taste, but with an added sophisticated touch. Each of my cupcakes are perfectly swirled with buttercream frosting and garnished with toppings to give it the final ‘cherry on top’. Each of my cakes are individually customized to represent a little character of the person or event that it is made for.

Whether it is expressed through the selection of the colours, or the décor that is used, each cupcake or cake design has a little story to tell.

Sonya.