Let Them Eat Cake Philadelphia 2011

Yesterday was the 7th Annual Let Them Eat Cake in Philadelphia! Its always such an exciting event. It was my 4th time competing in the Wedding Cake Competition, against nearly 40 other top pastry chefs in the Philadelphia area.

Unfortunately I was not able to bring home any awards. But there's always next year! I would still like to share my cake with you, as it still has a place in my heart. My cake told a story, and during the time I was creating the cake, I felt like the characters really came alive and I fell in love with this couple and their story. Even though the cake was not really an eye-catcher or a traditional design, there will always be a special place in my heart for it!

The theme this year was "Historical Romance: Love in Any Age". So I dedicated my cake to all the couples from whom war stole love, romance, and wedding cake. I could not help but think of all the engaged couples, especially during the World Wars, who were ripped apart...and one half never came home. This cake is dedicated to the sacrifice all these dear people made. It will never be forgotten.

The idea was that the girl, based during the time period of World War II, was at home worrying desperately about her fiance, who had left for war some time before and she had not heard from him. She did not know if he was alive or dead, and she was sitting at her desk writing a poem and thinking of her beloved. The poem on her desk is enlarged in the front of the cake on a piece of pink stationary. It was actually a song I altered slightly, written by Locke Hamilton, and actually has a Celtic origin:

"As I walked out upon the evening fair, and an Eagle flew high above my eyes,

I wondered that I must be tied to this earth, and that he can ride the wind so high.

If I were such a creature, I'd surely fly away, across the boundless ocean wide

In search of my love, far over the waves, for his parting has been a great while.

For when he weighed anchor he said he'd come again, and I know him never to be false.

If he's come to some danger, then I'll go to him, and there take my gladness or my loss.

So give me some wings, and I shall sail the skies--to northern fair winds I will go--

Let the stars be my compass, the tradewinds be my guide,

And my knowing bring peace to my soul.

Let the stars be my compass, the tradewinds be my guide,

And my knowing bring peace to my soul."

I don't even think many people read the poem, but its still one of my favorite songs/poems ever!!!!

The light on her desk really lit up, and the radio on the cake contained a small mp3 player that was loaded with genuine news broadcasts from World War II--Pearl Harbor, and Normandy, among other clips. Unfortunately it was not loud enough to be heard above all the other noise of the event.

Below is a close up of the girl's fiance, stuck in the wet, muddy trenches, bombs dropping all around, and he is pausing to look at a well-worn photo of his girl as he tries to rest his wounded leg. He wonders if he will make it home again to her, as sand pours from a sandbag behind him.

Everything on the cake is edible except the light bulb and hidden mp3 player, and a few supports. The people are completely made out of gumpaste and the tears are isomalt sugar. The window is also isomalt sugar. Everything else is made out of various sugarpastes including the furniture.

I hope you enjoyed looking at my project as much as I enjoyed creating it! I am looking forward to next year!!!!