tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75577623871248623292024-02-25T23:02:15.117-08:00Fancy Cakes by Lauren BlogLauren Kitchens, owner and executive chef of Fancy Cakes by Lauren, opened her bakery in 2000 and quickly became one of the premiere cake designers in the Dallas wedding and event industry.
Lauren competes regularly on the Food Newtork Challenge cake competitions. Her blog follows her Challenge experiences and can keep you up to date on new episodes.
You can see her cake portfolio on-line at www.fancycakesbylauren.comFancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-43606129573539423812011-02-22T06:05:00.000-08:002011-02-22T06:11:26.954-08:00Texas Baker's BillThe following statement was published on February 21, 2011 on Facebook to the general public regarding a newspaper article that ran in the Dallas Observer and the Houston Press on the week of February 15, 2011. An anonymous source in the article claimed that Lauren does not support home bakers and defines them all as "unsanitary." Neither newspapers contacted Lauren for comments nor were any facts checked before this article was published.<div><br /></div><div>Read Lauren's statement...</div><div><br /></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s never a fun thing to have to set the record straight, to be misquoted or misrepresented.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But this is where I find myself. An article about the Texas Baker’s Bill was recently published in the Houston Press and Dallas Observer, which unjustly claimed that I do not support the bill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That claim was false and careless, and the newspapers have posted corrections.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But too little, too late.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, all dark clouds have a silver lining, and this event has allowed me to be open and honest about a very delicate issue that I have not thought much about in the past. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Texas Baker’s Bill is a cottage food bill going through the Texas Legislature that would allow home cake decorators in Texas to operate legitimate bakeries in their home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This bill has not passed the House yet, but support for and against is strong.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many Texas cake decorators have asked my position on this bill and it’s time they knew how I felt.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Upon graduating from college, I was faced with the question all young adults must answer. Now what am I supposed to do? I have always loved decorating cakes, and so I began making cakes out of my parent’s home kitchen.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a few years, with no responsibilities of marriage or children, I took the plunge and got a Small Business Loan in the fall of 2001. I opened my commercial kitchen/wedding cake boutique in Dallas in the Spring of 2002. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was the beneficiary of perfect timing and opportunity.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In today’s climate, it is next to impossible to get a loan for any business. And with the economy still in the grip of recession, it seems foolish to drop $100,000 to set up a commercial kitchen with no guarantee of success. This should not be regarded as laziness on the behalf of those who do not benefit from the luck of my timing.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Home cake decorators find themselves in a trap. How do I make an income and further my skills as a cake decorator legally?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s frustrating.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve been there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I had the means to legitimize my business without having to pass state legislation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most home bakers do not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And for this, I am extremely sympathetic.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Honestly, I had not read the bill until five days ago. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I took no public position on the matter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At first hearing, I thought the bill was a demand for home bakers to slip past the rules without going through the difficulties I went through as a start-up bakery, or the difficulties I go through as a bakery owner today.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But upon reading the bill and talking to people all over the state, I see now that it fairly gives home bakers a legitimacy that they deserve.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The bill would enforce several restrictive demands on the home baker.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It forces the home baker to become licensed and to pay a yearly fee, as well as a get food manager’s license. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The bill forces the home baker to provide proper food labeling for any product they sell, which is something that I am not forced to do.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are even required to label their product as “made in a home kitchen that is not routinely inspected by a local health authority.” <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The bill restricts home bakers on how they can sell their product and to whom they can sell it to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is also a large portion of the bill devoted to whistle blowing, stating that they may easily be held accountable to the state health department.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Seems fair, doesn’t it?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For those in the professional world who ask, why should we legitimize home-based food service?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My answer to that is simple.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why wouldn’t we support a bill that legitimizes and regulates food products?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This bill sets standards that any food professional would hold important. And, I can say for certain that the Baker’s Bill poses no major competition for commercial bakeries.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not only does the bill set drastic limits on who the home baker may sell to, it also sets income limits. A home baker could never take on the load of a large professional kitchen with its employees, payroll, marketing costs, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>These home-based bakers do not pose a threat to the gross sales of large commercial bakeries.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Where the client choses to purchase baked goods is essentially up to the client.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If the client feels that a home kitchen is unsanitary, they can choose a bakery to purchase product.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In turn, if a client feels a commercial kitchen is unsanitary, then they can choose a home-baker to purchase goods from.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s all about the consumer’s needs, and these consumers are protected in this bill. And there is plenty of business to be had by all.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am, at heart, a home cake decorator.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Home is where I found my passion and nurtured it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Home is where my roots as a bakery owner began.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Fancy Cakes by Lauren is a successful small business in Dallas and I am in my 10<sup>th</sup> year as a proud owner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>None of this would have happened if I had not started at home.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We live in a country of choices.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We can choose who to vote for, what religion to practice, and we can make life choices that affect our families.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The home baker has no choice but to work in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are screaming for legitimacy and need to be commended for seeking out regulation and guidelines under which they can be held accountable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The bill needs to pass not only for these important standards, but also for these people who dedicate their lives for the betterment of our art.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I am forever respectful of their struggle and efforts to get this legislation passed.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here is my official stance:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My name is Lauren Kitchens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am a Texas business owner and a professional in the food service industry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I support the Texas Baker’s Bill.<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div> </div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-71036429661709308742010-04-06T19:01:00.000-07:002010-04-06T20:41:31.158-07:00Food Network Challenge:Spongebob Cakes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfQ3wMEuvrISLCwHg4MYzn0yiFVbYae-9L8eSUnVSJpAPd6mRXkJIvzN-RhuV01sN4g5c5xRuXKp9olve4jyOF64Opx6-iMhfY722RKnSxE3B4-xIlbIvXn89jyUw6H4WCLJJak90K2nT/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457212262482746290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfQ3wMEuvrISLCwHg4MYzn0yiFVbYae-9L8eSUnVSJpAPd6mRXkJIvzN-RhuV01sN4g5c5xRuXKp9olve4jyOF64Opx6-iMhfY722RKnSxE3B4-xIlbIvXn89jyUw6H4WCLJJak90K2nT/s400/cake.jpg" /></a> MR. KRABS<br /><br />When Food Network called me for this round of Challenges I told them I was most excited about Spongebob. Spongebob and Extreme Holiday Cakes were the two shows they offered.<br /><br />I really wanted to make a cake of Mr. Krabs. I lobbied hard for this. I emailed the producers messages from Mr. Krabs begging them to "Let Lauren make a cake of me... ARGH!"<br /><br />Then the call came. I got it!<br /><br />Now I need an idea.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnvO0jQDBvb7eC_rjMNSikBIyS95XBz4FvhFNyRj2wVIgTFWk4bW2mrACYonT0s2C20JCPEzRuRIEl88vO1RHEWo4M7zfPPrnza04F_Y7yfPIWSSPJM3a7L_RbKqnsnU3xpRZ9_fyzKPj/s1600/patty.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457212191911003730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnvO0jQDBvb7eC_rjMNSikBIyS95XBz4FvhFNyRj2wVIgTFWk4bW2mrACYonT0s2C20JCPEzRuRIEl88vO1RHEWo4M7zfPPrnza04F_Y7yfPIWSSPJM3a7L_RbKqnsnU3xpRZ9_fyzKPj/s400/patty.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Krabs is an opportunist. He wouldn't celebrate anyone's birthday. He would find a way to make money from the birthday. So, I came up with a "Krabby Birthday Meal..only $9.95"<br /><br />This idea had more to do with Mr. Krabs' personality and I thought the judge from Nickelodeon would appreciate it. Well, he didn't. In fact, he became aggitated by the McDonalds Happy Meal comparision and called Nickelodeon during the first hour of the competition to see if this was an issue. I think they would have asked me to take the Krabby Meal away if the Challenge producers hadn't have stepped in to save my concept. Drama!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs13T0ZjzwyKIs7Z3BWiXZtbpQhmuJD2ndeT5uFc1eU7vCIJvoshHc1XfS9rQpshMlCzcZHerICsvg2djhCvmOAnEciRqnGtBiqG8z_OBtGjJ__-DvSWJ2vL4sHuZ0OMq-smgamkZRO7jI/s1600/table.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457212121268865602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs13T0ZjzwyKIs7Z3BWiXZtbpQhmuJD2ndeT5uFc1eU7vCIJvoshHc1XfS9rQpshMlCzcZHerICsvg2djhCvmOAnEciRqnGtBiqG8z_OBtGjJ__-DvSWJ2vL4sHuZ0OMq-smgamkZRO7jI/s400/table.jpg" /></a> A requirement of all of our cakes was to include the character and their location in Bikini Bottom.<br /><br />I represented the Krusty Krab restaurant in two ways. By making the green, wood-planked floor of the Krusty Krab as well as a table, this solved my issue of location. Also, each Krabby Meal box was a small replica of the Krusty Krab, inside and out. My husband's brilliant idea!<br /><br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457212041399679874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOGovUtDIODu8a4Mp552T_EaHW7i-pbBhEGl3i-nVoQQRJVSkvbRHe5NIjYtTlLRD3nLwPyEwvRm5aumKnqhMplh0UpNcz5It-IV-66srN3hyphenhyphenacZ4zeYWvk95-OVof5fDjfIslU0utP96/s400/krabby+meal.jpg" />Another requirement we all had was to represent Spongebob in our cakes. Hmmmmm..... How to do that without making a full-scale Spongebob cake? The Krabby Birthday Meal action figure!! Easy!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh0Ib-OfwbwP6pV5ZuNUT1u-JgQG5oU8lB2ykH4s_9KfxdlpENgDzAk-k4NeS6yQqDAuOSrAJnq94_gh_HXZUy1hKLHOFoWHerzwZxdRSgiorzhXDsSpHPm6uQt5tDovMnIhZtjnDu4dl/s1600/plankton.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457211930776364546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh0Ib-OfwbwP6pV5ZuNUT1u-JgQG5oU8lB2ykH4s_9KfxdlpENgDzAk-k4NeS6yQqDAuOSrAJnq94_gh_HXZUy1hKLHOFoWHerzwZxdRSgiorzhXDsSpHPm6uQt5tDovMnIhZtjnDu4dl/s400/plankton.jpg" /></a><br />Plankton is Mr. Krabs evil rival, and just as nasty as Krabs. So I made sure to pay tribute to him as well. In typical Plankon form, he is using a mechanical device to steel the Krabby patty.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EJKqFs46DLw9i3j7yjdmGxCP2na0RV1FTllgnsZs27tzFk5eyT_3r8e94ApIXjTqw-3TcIYX9f4s2YzyNx7mbACHdGxkBDupAYRFEF9spXmErHVMa5nVm3TEXqQ5dKETfUyAuD4tOpgE/s1600/cake+side.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 308px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457211513475946146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EJKqFs46DLw9i3j7yjdmGxCP2na0RV1FTllgnsZs27tzFk5eyT_3r8e94ApIXjTqw-3TcIYX9f4s2YzyNx7mbACHdGxkBDupAYRFEF9spXmErHVMa5nVm3TEXqQ5dKETfUyAuD4tOpgE/s400/cake+side.jpg" /></a>Mr. Krabs' body was entirely sculpted out of cake....From the top of his open mouth to his bottom. I designed the structure and had my contractor weld the structure out of metal.<br /><br />The eyes, claws, and legs were made from solid modeling chocolate.</div><div></div><div>Modeling chocolate is an incredible sugar medium that allows you to make super clean work very fast. Plankton, his mechanical arm, the table, floor and all the little elements were all made from modeling chocolate.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGx_zZKadtS21bIxkoS9PI_HSOctTklElFo9JuuxqEhU_EfithoBo3Y4UsxgkdJuKzN62v5rrWl_Fk2pIhakddjfX4YK7xxmyj7Ovc5n5Kz5OFyv4XhQ8rifEVZGfx9Ica3yU7fcwROBW/s1600/sandy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457211283026790674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGx_zZKadtS21bIxkoS9PI_HSOctTklElFo9JuuxqEhU_EfithoBo3Y4UsxgkdJuKzN62v5rrWl_Fk2pIhakddjfX4YK7xxmyj7Ovc5n5Kz5OFyv4XhQ8rifEVZGfx9Ica3yU7fcwROBW/s400/sandy.jpg" /></a></div><div>Kristen Davison's "Sandy Cheeks" cake.<br /><br />This was Kristen's 6th Challenge, but it was her first as the lead of her team. She did a great job. She is known for her small-scale character work. She's fantastic!!! Kristen and her assistant, the grand Richard Ruskell, beat me at my first Challenge, Disney Classics Cakes.<br /><br />It was great to see them again! She made the glass dome and helmut totally out of poured sugar! Amazing! And her character work was spot-on<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />The Great Bronwen Weber made the "Patrick Star" cake. I was horrified to go up against Bronwen. No one has done as many Challenges as her. She is well versed in this arena. Her ideas are great and she keeps calm and finishes her work. Not many cake artists are sculptors. She is a great sculptor!</div><div></div><div>She had to represent several acres of jelly fish fields. She did this in a great way. With the triangle composition she easily created depth. There was so much great detail in this cake. It was amazing to be competing in the same room with her.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRreVGi03PnVZB0wYbQ1a7nVtn-GJm91fA6_y4zYL5JQMWBmWTc3REtoFSUMwXMDAdxgkZ_3e7phlaLxO57IhJLiBp6hywW-7l6BkQXYs1BE6o7QgO86McZ4VvOQ8WLArGwsL9hRTXVg0/s1600/patrick.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457211167507972082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRreVGi03PnVZB0wYbQ1a7nVtn-GJm91fA6_y4zYL5JQMWBmWTc3REtoFSUMwXMDAdxgkZ_3e7phlaLxO57IhJLiBp6hywW-7l6BkQXYs1BE6o7QgO86McZ4VvOQ8WLArGwsL9hRTXVg0/s400/patrick.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN39xDBZuY8ORUqzYVZe3DyZhG4_kOSzLhDRp1taXspyQfV0vw_hSqAWSxG4_06LLOOUZ5EnaAErH7rfmdAapga7SNtfaZD8a2Sm2-J5NLBciAdixLGbDaZH9v5MOiL2ArNNfaC9L-mchK/s1600/rick.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457211079763513106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN39xDBZuY8ORUqzYVZe3DyZhG4_kOSzLhDRp1taXspyQfV0vw_hSqAWSxG4_06LLOOUZ5EnaAErH7rfmdAapga7SNtfaZD8a2Sm2-J5NLBciAdixLGbDaZH9v5MOiL2ArNNfaC9L-mchK/s400/rick.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Rick Reichart from Cake Lava in Hawaii came in as a close 2nd with his Spongebob cake. Rick is amazing and he has an incredible siginature style that he easily casts on every cake he makes. This cake was colorful and alive. It was so stylish and creative. I honestly thought he was going to win. In so many ways, he did! Great job, Rick!!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsctELLBeQ0m6-IyTf5_Xag8K-eoqYmPhjNnngoSOUbJt7K3iiZVaBgzKSJ2TexNNja2o0tqd2KEk7kXU1qvWYLG3QRwuYfV4ul5V4vyz6eTcMckePPJS3Wz5zB8vRptMv1Ghjb_2WC4H/s1600/us+and+Kerry.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457211003191206082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsctELLBeQ0m6-IyTf5_Xag8K-eoqYmPhjNnngoSOUbJt7K3iiZVaBgzKSJ2TexNNja2o0tqd2KEk7kXU1qvWYLG3QRwuYfV4ul5V4vyz6eTcMckePPJS3Wz5zB8vRptMv1Ghjb_2WC4H/s400/us+and+Kerry.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Kerry's Comment and Salute....</div><div>At the end of the day at Face the Judges, Kerry stood up and saluted my work. She claims this cake was the best cake she has seen in Challenge. </div><div></div><div>For the record, I don't agree. But, it was the most moving statement I have ever heard from any cake authority and I was not expecting her to say anything close to this. It brought me to tears and I can only hope that my next Challenge cake will impress her all over again. The preasure is on!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA5_16wfx7DRfB0tHd3PwMT_btJblT7tob0KNBdp9cWBPHL7jDpwGVzFp0KbEIFqSp_yqP57bZNnu414M1HpuF_fTf1oSV8hX9w0NQ73MBgIt0z25y2ox6sD9ELagGqIswgGKel6Ki8dS/s1600/the+girls.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457210919326199042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA5_16wfx7DRfB0tHd3PwMT_btJblT7tob0KNBdp9cWBPHL7jDpwGVzFp0KbEIFqSp_yqP57bZNnu414M1HpuF_fTf1oSV8hX9w0NQ73MBgIt0z25y2ox6sD9ELagGqIswgGKel6Ki8dS/s400/the+girls.jpg" /></a><br />My bakery girls....</div><div>Ashleigh Foster. My right hand man. At the time we shot this Challenge, Ashleigh had only worked for me for 2 months. After I hired her and saw her abilities, I asked her to come to Challenge with me. She did an amazing job! I was so proud.</div><div></div><div>Karie Snider (In the green hoodie). I love Karie. She was part of this Challenge team. The three of us worked constantly for 6 weeks straight tweeking and perfecting this cake. I work side by side with these two artists everyday. I love my cakey girls!!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVfpXqCDPbcHatFbpBYdWdnEX1KbnRtZYZmcV_FID8ZrCyNxvbWxZEuoPkZ82GvwHE4OAJzV4ydbV7fOU8pESsLSLN8oUMtt4boYF_io1KB-9-1JmUfQZTvPneuz-X_Ef6c8LVUAUIy5_/s1600/demetrus+and+krabs+two.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457210752716508178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVfpXqCDPbcHatFbpBYdWdnEX1KbnRtZYZmcV_FID8ZrCyNxvbWxZEuoPkZ82GvwHE4OAJzV4ydbV7fOU8pESsLSLN8oUMtt4boYF_io1KB-9-1JmUfQZTvPneuz-X_Ef6c8LVUAUIy5_/s400/demetrus+and+krabs+two.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The party.....</div><div></div><div>The day after we shot the episode the winning cake did actually go to a suprise birthday party for 7 year-old Demetrus. </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3-zKdmpdLgpzOLPA5BNvi2zm5Gbdz2G1fK0PYorRf5ZLlI1GbG58_tILNjg38cz5oZr4DNyZHbhfZ6nQ5MnFSDRSyWveay7Nzkshfv9kamJzU617-stL9jKBR0y0UhBiPHbzFuggnBZ8/s1600/demetrus+and+krabs.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457210683170401826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3-zKdmpdLgpzOLPA5BNvi2zm5Gbdz2G1fK0PYorRf5ZLlI1GbG58_tILNjg38cz5oZr4DNyZHbhfZ6nQ5MnFSDRSyWveay7Nzkshfv9kamJzU617-stL9jKBR0y0UhBiPHbzFuggnBZ8/s400/demetrus+and+krabs.jpg" /></a><br />So cute!!!! I love his mom, Mindy. She was our judge and so excited to see all the cakes and experience the procces of shooting the episode. </div><div></div><div>I wanted to please her just as much as Kerry and Keegan.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6uzWLhiGUCJcAU3y29Ftq3uwjPjR_T1F4RzHShgdFZ8ZIL5vRIhro6zYtRH25JPHF0aXdg9bN9-DCCxzELwC7KPL_Vu2IkJ5-A-m3PJASAgPbXgsoO_jiLom4qf8DnmKhuqVYdOWNI66/s1600/demetrus+and+krabs+three.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457210593461799698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6uzWLhiGUCJcAU3y29Ftq3uwjPjR_T1F4RzHShgdFZ8ZIL5vRIhro6zYtRH25JPHF0aXdg9bN9-DCCxzELwC7KPL_Vu2IkJ5-A-m3PJASAgPbXgsoO_jiLom4qf8DnmKhuqVYdOWNI66/s400/demetrus+and+krabs+three.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />With an eaten head and half of a claw gone, Demetrus went straight to opening birthday gifts.</div><div></div><div>Happy Birthday, Demetrus!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-87504226408081472982010-03-24T13:09:00.000-07:002010-03-24T13:15:43.005-07:00Austin Cake Show, Feb 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqMuDhAyE9qUnQISgADmdxl65U6tk9RnurMs-TNDQuK8oxtrsG3boRDeGnod6zA4fuDOY24jOgRWVIeFfQm4GtvZcAUQftPvl4T3mGGAsJiFNtd22p90o65ocLzZOAetiP2j9yLm56PIS/s1600/page+one.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452296622110412050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqMuDhAyE9qUnQISgADmdxl65U6tk9RnurMs-TNDQuK8oxtrsG3boRDeGnod6zA4fuDOY24jOgRWVIeFfQm4GtvZcAUQftPvl4T3mGGAsJiFNtd22p90o65ocLzZOAetiP2j9yLm56PIS/s400/page+one.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0zI6rXOIP91AzQv_BovDYd-QC11DAJCCa3WmlLmHlQ6YCT1Sxt4xVN6o6v9eFwKdj7KqqRxXxUEBDdycYqzFRadjyeWZ_YTyPQiHBxp9k6xcwuLzKC_twfGklUziOYxpqpqIiskZZHQQ/s1600/page+two.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452296490233769666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0zI6rXOIP91AzQv_BovDYd-QC11DAJCCa3WmlLmHlQ6YCT1Sxt4xVN6o6v9eFwKdj7KqqRxXxUEBDdycYqzFRadjyeWZ_YTyPQiHBxp9k6xcwuLzKC_twfGklUziOYxpqpqIiskZZHQQ/s400/page+two.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2jdpPLaz9MUgjKwpXhp-aJycWgQw0YsbEOA-7JUepYOI0JhY_cK6HsTfR2puakAfgWsjiRg8bCk8FEqvJv3TgYHEyrRZbK5fxQhCiS1jMU2TVQbjNVcnjzirt7W3t9yaitjMR2b737Ca/s1600/page+three.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452296367266953762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2jdpPLaz9MUgjKwpXhp-aJycWgQw0YsbEOA-7JUepYOI0JhY_cK6HsTfR2puakAfgWsjiRg8bCk8FEqvJv3TgYHEyrRZbK5fxQhCiS1jMU2TVQbjNVcnjzirt7W3t9yaitjMR2b737Ca/s400/page+three.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUjyYbeHPPs6aQNcDmMH9n02NGUdSr-9gcgmkm6s-QDuE76t2eATWkn7kdahaGPtq0vNFn0JLy_OhHRUTot_AWRJUolSu2nR_DmOhKy8I40QbB9eKGw3pFk4fixomqa-dxRYqM3dNQ8-f/s1600/page+four.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452296260752920578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUjyYbeHPPs6aQNcDmMH9n02NGUdSr-9gcgmkm6s-QDuE76t2eATWkn7kdahaGPtq0vNFn0JLy_OhHRUTot_AWRJUolSu2nR_DmOhKy8I40QbB9eKGw3pFk4fixomqa-dxRYqM3dNQ8-f/s400/page+four.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHimzs_lOzAqOauHjWGwzVNt15_Hv5icdSe6nXFBOWHOB-if9Zu1XZknfQ7AU-j60hwpQdA_NG9H87iQdzTqBuIF7qbtrHijxQXaRce70B9yzq0G2bVwUvQUFoO9wRkdPW8y1xwFyccEdc/s1600/page+one.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-15049863796763649842010-01-13T19:55:00.000-08:002010-01-19T17:48:24.095-08:00Food Network Challenge: Newlywed CakesNewlywed Cakes…….?<br /><br />The first thing I thought when Food Network asked me to do this Challenge was, “What is a newlywed cake?” I asked the producers to elaborate. They wouldn’t. In fact, they told me that Newlywed Cakes will be a challenge with a mystery client, a mystery assistant, and a twist in the judging.<br /><br />No, no, no…. I’m not the right girl for this Challenge. I need time to plan and practice. I can’t jump into the bottomless pit of mystery. No. I will not do this challenge.<br /><br />That was my stance until the producer of the show called me again the next week and talked me into it, telling me it will be a fun show with a lot of interaction. Ok. I’ll do it. So back to my question…What is a newlywed cake?<br /><br />I thought about what it meant to be a newlywed. When I was a newlywed we had gifts and moving boxes, packing peanuts and wrapping paper…It was all over our new home. Pictures of our honeymoon, and after the long wait, our wedding portrait. This is a common story among many newlywed couples and I’m going to turn this into my blank canvas in order to tell a story of this mystery newlywed couple.<br /><br />Many times in mystery challenges cake designers bring stacked tiers that look like wedding cakes. They fill up the sides of the tiers with items made to please the client. A lot of these cakes turn out great. But I love to sculpt. That’s what I do best and it’s what I bring to Challenge every time. If done well, a sculpted cake can score high points, too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426442706322842946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MAz3Q4w6jFUjn9kuK7DuWT2flnX3ZttQuMKEtrRot9j1dKJQ-mc8h-G8qFHB6o8hhDmttLnNqYCYcaOP20b2g6JhmvlvEDW7Yv02e8S2ZPbdOr0NERLnlfhOTg5J6w0dlfqhB3DnnEfV/s400/DSC_0241.jpg" />So, instead of planning on stacking round tiers and placing objects on them I came up with another plan. Essentially, my approach was very similar to what the other decorators where doing with their cakes…. Items of significance….anything on this cake that can personalize a newlywed couple. I just chose to present these items in a different way. I needed to stand out in order to win.<br /><br />The morning of the Challenge was when all the missing parts came together. Each contestant got a newlywed couple. The theme was revealed… “Each cake should represent your couple’s new life together.” The husbands are our assistants and we were to design our cake together. The wives were banished from the studio all day. The cakes would be placed 4th through 1st. The 1st place cake must be identified by the wife as her cake in order to win. </p><br /><p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426453785878388802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEbgDfotdO37YCw88HqFct1ILsXr9BLyo4DFZcc743zQfSJiN7JUN91nRaL7RQRNGRiE_wQ9urhXQFAbrYJ5eTqDLip-Yia7aYjJcjidSsXR8RDNHITCI9h_McFRJoAZOydHxZjWh40IX/s320/DSC_0173.JPG" /><br />The couple I got were Trey and Mandy. Trey was a great assistant. Funny and smart and very eager to win. I asked him what he thought a newlywed cake was. He was just as baffled as I was at the mention of this. I told him my idea and that I needed him to fill in all the blanks, choose the color palette (preferably his wife’s favorite colors), and make all the key design choices, including what items are in the boxes, on the scrapbook and how it’s all designed.<br /><br />It was important to me that I keep the theme of this cake “newlywed.” Meaning that I wanted Trey and Mandy represented as a married couple. The theme was “their new life together” so Trey and I worked hard to make sure that all the items on the cake were post-wedding, not from when they met or anything before their wedding.<br /></p><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7s_quahOA22GinLUQuLd8Zk-KzK_kKfYRzOwX9czC9X-7nh64aKagBphfLqWPFJm49FHsDx8dzgshi3gJ2_lPCZCez9gkk14qgvp2QoIF66xHN8zU3xrv8s5TO8Jg_lBHLpqOy1mj5B0/s1600-h/newlywed+email+four.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 354px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426441529398321250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7s_quahOA22GinLUQuLd8Zk-KzK_kKfYRzOwX9czC9X-7nh64aKagBphfLqWPFJm49FHsDx8dzgshi3gJ2_lPCZCez9gkk14qgvp2QoIF66xHN8zU3xrv8s5TO8Jg_lBHLpqOy1mj5B0/s400/newlywed+email+four.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The big cardboard box tier at the bottom of the cake was to hold a large item that Trey and Mandy had bought or received for their new home. Trey chose their new dining room table. </div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426454590640568674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckx58CrfHMOcEJ7sa4hhZnYGwFVgKkLouokEAHz8vNsUikX_W1wIVkjabAzuij5VvuBMuXk_Bo5kHAOVptXmpAs15VatfQVxTTI_o_L6odtHb06VH8vLsSEWYNLY-gyDtjeI0svH9QIv1/s320/newlywed+email+one.jpg" /></div><div></div><div>The gift box was to hold anything that Trey thought Mandy would find significant. He bought her a diamond necklace after they got married, and he wanted me to incorporate her favorite flowers…calla lilies. Trey designed the box to match the kitchen bar in their home, which had a cool pressed letter design, and he wanted me to use the colors in their home…pink and teal. We created wrapping paper for the bottom box in the same colors to pull our palette together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPUUnKicbRxe3Vqx2L8ugf-7UGlZ5otYD1mIi-AUpROkonTXbUtjFl8Dqf9OMcTaCzfrstozFkvoe6zEWfbwCTOZjoCUc81cTYP18Bqoc-LV03B95DwFVk2IfGdIXqYX-G3vTpO84WqHN/s1600-h/newlywed+email+three.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426441679981795730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPUUnKicbRxe3Vqx2L8ugf-7UGlZ5otYD1mIi-AUpROkonTXbUtjFl8Dqf9OMcTaCzfrstozFkvoe6zEWfbwCTOZjoCUc81cTYP18Bqoc-LV03B95DwFVk2IfGdIXqYX-G3vTpO84WqHN/s400/newlywed+email+three.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The scrapbook…. I wanted to use this for Trey and Mandy’s memories or wishes of the future. He chose their honeymoon on the beach in Mexico. Perfect!!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpW-u9p7_1c1sA0M166vTt9V4AxffzJSWJ8GYEjiLaJcs1ujAt8cP49QoEudQdXM9Q046IlRjEiWlbfp7tV6PEB-42oNCh2b7VT5uhERCczJi1dmDPGWruuX3Q7w6lfZrNLjgWX86vtPc/s1600-h/newlywed+email+two.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 393px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426442539152265666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpW-u9p7_1c1sA0M166vTt9V4AxffzJSWJ8GYEjiLaJcs1ujAt8cP49QoEudQdXM9Q046IlRjEiWlbfp7tV6PEB-42oNCh2b7VT5uhERCczJi1dmDPGWruuX3Q7w6lfZrNLjgWX86vtPc/s400/newlywed+email+two.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The wedding portrait on top… Now, I had always intended on creating a wedding portrait of the mystery newlywed couple on my cake. I didn’t know that the cake would have to be identified by anyone until the morning of the Challenge. I had the portrait planned since I began to design this cake and the Food Network producers knew about this. Why they choose to edit this in the show as a “last minute” idea is beyond me. You can even see Trey using the stencil and pre-colored edible papers I brought to create the portrait.<br /><br />No element on this cake was an after thought. It turned out that the portrait was a great idea because of the “identity” element in the end. Trey and Mandy are an inter-racial couple, but that really didn’t matter because each couple was really different from one another. One couple both had brown hair, one couple both had blonde hair, and one couple was a man with grey hair and a woman with brown hair. Each couple was very distinguishable from the next. </div><br /><div>Trey and I had problems from the edible paper ripping, to the lid of the box sagging. But we finished on time and it was the first time in Challenge that I was able to finish a cake to completion. It felt great, and I felt lucky to have had Trey as an assistant.<br /><br />I will never do another mystery challenge. Even though I won, I struggled with this one. There were too many variables, too many unknowns. I much prefer doing a character driven cake at Challenge like Mary Poppins or Elmo or Spongebob. Although the character challenges are technically more difficult and take longer to prepare for, I am able to create better work without the panic of the endless guessing games of mystery challenges.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRuEg98BCGAw-ws3yMr9ESoB8b7jdJZN48jzff75o8RpVf12a1SFGuDsNiWKjb0tuwOYlYAUw-uOeRd6jOHqahIWCD6a_-I1i_Emvh2rJl0TVtfVcFdp3DWEltXKRfHYpKEEu2h9siiJ-/s1600-h/wlauren+bozich.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426443618219861026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRuEg98BCGAw-ws3yMr9ESoB8b7jdJZN48jzff75o8RpVf12a1SFGuDsNiWKjb0tuwOYlYAUw-uOeRd6jOHqahIWCD6a_-I1i_Emvh2rJl0TVtfVcFdp3DWEltXKRfHYpKEEu2h9siiJ-/s400/wlauren+bozich.jpg" /></a><br />Lauren Bozich's wonderful 2nd place cake. I loved this cake. Lauren is a friend of mine and a gifted artist. I knew she would be able to make a ton of different items for her cake and boy, did she. Every item on her cake is easily identifiable. She's a great artist and came close to beating me!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-62386795037186145932009-12-06T19:16:00.000-08:002010-01-13T20:42:02.583-08:00Lauren is Teaching!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 331px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426449506965894802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCX1b3DduGYY5-KN057re50L0AoF4ZISrQSkgD14P94FvyEoyJMDIIfTWfcOV5joypHriVvYcgcvmGv78h3l98F9LV6TABVbxXaMimxbeT2bDaSxTK73ZrpEb3-r41BoGheUhg-JHN-RF/s400/my+muppet+email.jpg" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeegZAieQJjLyajxv6k9Pr_-21935wh3rOeOj-uTjfMnua30tD3SkjoCnWEvuCAWdWl02YcEdvdN1DP82cKq8o6E70GChRv8fKOVfY_-WwxUzY_4odtXYg2_yd03AwY6BS4yWXCOJoX8v/s1600-h/my+muppet+email.jpg"></a>Muppets: 101 with Lauren Kitchens<br /><br />9am to 5pm, Saturday January 30, 2010<br />$275 per student<br /><div><div><div><div></div><div>at Cake Carousel in Richardson, Texas</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>In this fun, hands-on class, learn how to muppetize anyone, even yourself. Lauren will guide you step by step using the same techniques she used in Food Network Challenge to make a one-of-kind edible muppet. </div><div></div><br /><div>You will build your muppet on a decorated fake tier while learning to sculpt with rice cereal treats and modeling chocolate as well as fondant work and airbrushing. All supplies included.<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://www.cakecarousel.com/">http://www.cakecarousel.com/</a> to sign up!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C4exGB7IneVqfzhNRcPOXg9FlNfA2Pee2zy5zB-KmCQRi_QiJNImOHCiLFvNkc-fJbtWxZScMHTolEyZeOTuWpe3bRNotZ-sSX6B94AFidpTjxvRCabLzT-st4hgZ_YJKvgyvvYejGJZ/s1600-h/elmo+demo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426450750587301890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C4exGB7IneVqfzhNRcPOXg9FlNfA2Pee2zy5zB-KmCQRi_QiJNImOHCiLFvNkc-fJbtWxZScMHTolEyZeOTuWpe3bRNotZ-sSX6B94AFidpTjxvRCabLzT-st4hgZ_YJKvgyvvYejGJZ/s320/elmo+demo.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 202px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426450493426028706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZx3otpfZxZsMyHP26OA2Bxx1WSRnNp2hAq-sNatiJObyxe873eMuxNRb_4YrpX1ldpEIkvKZzEdEM1ohpKI8b2zvUsNbV9paL7rVZBvcVDy4fUeyRJ8X94Ttk5QKLIT8cLO1Ax46tjZ0K/s320/elmo.jpg" /> </div></div></div></div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-7744265131497781252009-12-06T18:55:00.001-08:002009-12-26T18:16:14.973-08:00Spongebob Challenge!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRXk607y8mfTPkXISsdPrwT6-7uiHeHu3wLNven1yjmHLV_3rfhnDgeVqtlEgGPw1V7taZhMTLJN7EQSQX_vwmpLjSjPix9kIO0WRXpM3n1VjjtMYwZAcuutDPrNXN1fr4qiO9dl8uUQM/s1600-h/n29347973229_911213_8731.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 122px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412323456734407634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRXk607y8mfTPkXISsdPrwT6-7uiHeHu3wLNven1yjmHLV_3rfhnDgeVqtlEgGPw1V7taZhMTLJN7EQSQX_vwmpLjSjPix9kIO0WRXpM3n1VjjtMYwZAcuutDPrNXN1fr4qiO9dl8uUQM/s200/n29347973229_911213_8731.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Lauren competed in her fourth Food Network Challenge called "Spongebob Cakes" celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Spongebob Squarepants cartoon.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Her cake..... Mr. Krabs!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>The air date is April 4, 2010</div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-60514800072956624212009-10-10T05:38:00.000-07:002009-12-06T18:52:51.588-08:00Food Network Challenge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0MMX9WQRyTgpi0oRN-daabunS4aVY62ZCKSz2fzF1eZyEyNFE2VnIB1RCJRbuTuhefEh7DNtMYC6ZhWRyBWbFwEc6JDqY5bYPQE5a-rbpNXF_mhb4ZHu7DVxvCkuR2wCLeWG841vKXGk/s1600-h/DSC_0411.jpg"></a>Watch Lauren muppetize the judges while making her Elmo cake in<br />"Food Network Challenge: Sesame Street Cakes."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVme0qzkBMBrtEYrFD8K7QbM_risngnuFsIZgZsZhD29urNoLJzdIV4rX-Uef_UbLF3Zi5zbX_cbUT0rjzldw4vWE8z9AVkW_7xwFcV3xV4uh-YKavrNAb2JtchyphenhyphenZA1hS-AHLNNO12zs6d/s1600-h/DSC_0407.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNYzFqVBQqfvgiyJb08K-iHIOU0_8h8ioL3_S8x8hHg0PrEvxQTkBjXAJZ-BAGNQhoJXTVBiKy5GDAYZlZLmSsIqbNnJSdA_p2c2QOYYDI6Px7SOxcwA5dFgOa7ZFnGhSQ_bzeHaDi6q6/s1600-h/DSC_0404.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390951549194205490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNYzFqVBQqfvgiyJb08K-iHIOU0_8h8ioL3_S8x8hHg0PrEvxQTkBjXAJZ-BAGNQhoJXTVBiKy5GDAYZlZLmSsIqbNnJSdA_p2c2QOYYDI6Px7SOxcwA5dFgOa7ZFnGhSQ_bzeHaDi6q6/s200/DSC_0404.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbxmp1V1xY7FKgOZ1KzZo8B4spdxvxuDXN-fI0EtLAq4ZEL0QA7aVJcwMRbEKZi666vQ_9-pRNo8C_pMxuhJ3RqWo4ywZOZ4pW2IYWWJemn65MickCRqINP73VDn9FHIzfxOr2UuvnnDr/s1600-h/DSC_0440.jpg"></a>Watch Lauren's first Challenge... "Disney Classics Cakes."<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjZh64WvciHN-kBgsSVwTn50FP42iFfFfsnNWKXyGuO4KoXzgbRWmjQzja0llQm3Oj-aQ5EBnMM_eP0dgWCYWicsNP5WB4jC_TZYCFklBapTZ0LhBom0BxjUHMnVSc_PUWT9mZxL5iHuN/s1600-h/blog+1526+Moving+Mary+Poppins.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390950567053792690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjZh64WvciHN-kBgsSVwTn50FP42iFfFfsnNWKXyGuO4KoXzgbRWmjQzja0llQm3Oj-aQ5EBnMM_eP0dgWCYWicsNP5WB4jC_TZYCFklBapTZ0LhBom0BxjUHMnVSc_PUWT9mZxL5iHuN/s200/blog+1526+Moving+Mary+Poppins.jpg" /></a><br />Watch for Lauren's newest Challenge set to premeire January 10, 2010.</div><div>"Food Network Challenge: Newlywed Cakes"</div><div>See below for show details...</div><div></div><div></div></div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-70735498467789717782009-09-01T18:31:00.000-07:002009-12-06T18:53:28.451-08:00Food Network Challenge Newlywed Cakes<div align="center">I shot my third Food Network Challenge called </div><div align="center">"Newlywed Cakes" </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhWsStqsTdsklnsoJelk0QTE9Xzw8DqGpiaMjbevCi3xdzAyHkbqhlv1pf8g-4I62X6L8parWZv-1TY0RKGhZ5lR6ZHNByRlU7rxJ1Ha1wMoakjVCXd6YK29jhyhCA2RscbM_3-GXxWS6/s1600-h/blog+wide+shot+me+pat+ker.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376677267543692770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhWsStqsTdsklnsoJelk0QTE9Xzw8DqGpiaMjbevCi3xdzAyHkbqhlv1pf8g-4I62X6L8parWZv-1TY0RKGhZ5lR6ZHNByRlU7rxJ1Ha1wMoakjVCXd6YK29jhyhCA2RscbM_3-GXxWS6/s200/blog+wide+shot+me+pat+ker.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">This Challenge had a mystery theme, mystery client, mystery assistant, with a mean little twist in the judging. </p><p align="center">Everything was revealed to us just one hour before the competition began. It was the most difficult Challenge I've done so far. </p><p align="center">What a day!!<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyatceSWYXQAAhI4p5SyyX-XsNdjNERc9RGdxnmejV880sURpnjDMdf19AKEjccxsvLpRoBmelW0Gb9MTC628M9tf9HOfhZaRbmbGOKwAJFtOxVTHeJXCOQUFFA7LNs4cHQIGlQaoMYzHr/s1600-h/blog+me+pat+ker.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376676900161502274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyatceSWYXQAAhI4p5SyyX-XsNdjNERc9RGdxnmejV880sURpnjDMdf19AKEjccxsvLpRoBmelW0Gb9MTC628M9tf9HOfhZaRbmbGOKwAJFtOxVTHeJXCOQUFFA7LNs4cHQIGlQaoMYzHr/s200/blog+me+pat+ker.jpg" /></a> <u></u><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><u></u></div><div align="center">The episode is scheduled to air January 10, 2010.<br /><br /></div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-66884745858337078272009-07-26T09:11:00.000-07:002009-07-26T18:37:39.468-07:00Food Network Challenge Sesame Street CakesThe begining of the day was wonderful. Here I am next to my Elmo armature getting ready to make the cutest cake I've ever made. My assistant, Heather, and I had all the kinks worked out during practice and nothing stood in our way of having a great day at Challenge...<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362862415809584450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMoxChxm6fOqpQF2dz2XB2_9Lipy2MtIOfrF3X12U3LhtLgK0IQsjHKdv24AkP276Dp5KaOkMGtP3Z-PqrBDAxzOet9_VcWmWlSZtPducfsVzJMcqYJTdsXtUaAzW2G12MqSfbSq5oSxb/s320/DSC_0170.jpg" /><br /><br />...Until thirty minutes after the clock started, Heather severely burned her hand with sugar that was heated to 340 degrees. Our judge, Kerry Vincent, was the first one to come to our rescue. While the producers were bringing us bandages and burn ointment and calling the peremedics, Kerry and I were wrapping Heather's hand. I thought for sure that our day was over.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362862365765524898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHrrW6dIwMsJKsQBeFVFN4X9MaMAf11qV0nbDQbVCxBItefPPI6OXlGTG8Z4bXwheazscOTCU9L93PElPxvcHvT4qCx_f3jvnwzUkDnIUvrNjgzL9KAgqZQj5hpNqeNlVHSvGtlWCxuNS/s320/DSC_0184.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />I don't know how she did it, but Heather kept working! I thought I could just get the muppets finished and submit them for judging. Heather was responsible for the two large cakes in our peice. I never imagined that she would be able to continue such a huge job with that hand in such pain. There was no stopping her.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362862266299167650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgeadjSbnZoP6-qpuS0_Fk4-aDxn743I1ulcg5vZr2aeatykHybMom95d_e9AJp5-MuU9qV5GOi0fNj7FZVx_AtKs6q6B2jHzwl1Upzn9Q9PcLLrf8_FDKlvB08HuPLS1VVaX3nMRtJKx/s320/DSC_0200.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />My character was Elmo and I designed the cake as a Sesame Street parody of Food Network Challenge. Sesame Street has always used parodies on their show to entertain parents and older siblings. It's a great idea and I thought I would pull this parody idea into my cake.<br /><br /><br />Elmo is the star of my parody cake, as he has just been named the winner of the Monster Network Challenge. He is standing on top of the judges table holding his winning cake in the air. His assistant, Goldfish Dorothy, has her gold medal around her fish bowl. The host of the show, Cake'in Gerhard (Keegan Gerhard), holds Elmo's medal in his hand. The two judges, Cookie Vincent (Kerry Vincent) and Patrick Cakestand (Partick Coston), look on with excitement.<br /><br /><br />Here you see me talking to the third judge, Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of Sesame Street. At that point, she was sold on my idea.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362862195169237890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TwKZjLB515_iTf528DDw_qS48OB4GXuJhoYrTbbjMpe_CjEt9pmW_OAJvUAS1CR0cjw0eZytbZ4uoWT2R7aHumETH8nqvtJOl0NotEUekmXRR07D79fvUzWqWMJIfmFMTx9zaweiq2bg/s320/DSC_0205.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />The whole set is very calm and quite all day.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362862126046239010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2nN2w1lIuCqP4G6fEw5vsyy4eAQFlaMdL3Q1M9AvL23HAatuMAu0HxsaDDClWKGbPPufKaQnkXTUL_UspE-M4KCAscaGmvRFiSaLRl3tWvwTkPawGk-XqWXGHmFl_eBVbmXN4K7YxyJo/s320/DSC_0221.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />I made Elmo out of rice cereal treats and red modeling chocolate. The fur was modeling chocolate that I pulled through a pasta attatchement on the Kitchen Aid mixer. I think Elmo took me two hours to finish. We were so behind with Heather's burn.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362862048298634418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAnSLcvd0ylImILkraR1CVdkaFe8MAL19kuiYyRpUuM_CbQAzQGnrhrEorJUsxtP4HSAy3S4l5DwhGS2zv49Wm3qrCAMs0OuTDDkee0GWBXvba8Re6acRqDVIZ5dtb8z4PobBK2jQPYFR/s320/DSC_0248.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />There's Patrick looking over our judges' table cake. I try hard to read him when he comes around my kitchen.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861646758774162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-Zvo4W9y5o57HSru7hRbQscKTWGjlncoj2Z2DtGUxWM3Z3wcRTTSVF6aDtkVlfygwdEIM8hPB0EWVsJhcTH_niaXsh3POQJtO_u2792S49fPGG8Cl4S-PmKs9gqZeqYa8KwtULEmtxuV/s320/DSC_0254.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Keegan is looking at the cake after I got Elmo and Cookie on. He gave me a big smile!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861558980327586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRLpEwl0CzKhnkKdjCUISUn6ed8b61zS7H6L0AjOc51ZrIDt-hiOsp_ySoHeWhGbbkGGdv5wOdQJINvkzUstH7rbK9B55A2S6QyepC1rSC1nNZNxSV8PeYJ02P1sbDcgExybhXejIfBcI/s320/DSC_0277.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />I'm starting to work on my third muppet, Patrick Cakestand. For some reason I was able to finish him in half the time which gave me some time to help Heather catch up.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861464246732930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AuRG4UjKgM6VIO2JNFMWJVExHDZNvYGPB71FvJ_DsqVkcWQvhysv66GlyktvCgMyzDANPTfuh4UxP0FJdWYdsReeR_wlVyGpk95zXifZ7yLLK_Er5iFcvRrejJeqaxA5KBKqpC9yrbSo/s320/DSC_0283.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />The finishing touch on Patrick was his uni-brow. The real Patrick hated this, but I told him that I gave him the uni-brow because his eye brows are the only hair he has on his shaved head. Plus, the uni-brow is a classic muppet feature.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861380496569858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxlZkQ4lIUHHJh3IG3odtw_H4sjAUAxQQkBRFEtxguZ93fPKKfYVEw0lSJsmUnnsI5nFkOgMz4ZEx0rlTdJPHosXb3bre8nrJyQpl1B6hcBNyKyAVNjAuKWaZKQTtn7BOYVhJZCzgtJ7T/s320/DSC_0289.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />On to my fourth and final muppet, Cake'in Gerhard.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861301819999730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnt4HveKAJDwCnbGa4HXeEGeR1sz4RlMf9VbdfbLmhQPyZ7J7JOKTBZbHaKYagkJVR45BZS4016zVimRws7ZDn-8iXQ219KH_yy_tNGhWLqKKVy_IpeNhWi1LwK1o_RXzP6CSiwoHZcAp/s320/DSC_0293.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />The chef's coats were made from a wonderful and unusual sugar product called Sugar Veil. It is pure white and very shiney. I was able to cut the pieces from large sheets that I had made.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861216058937538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHasZLWZi0XqG3vnTWc58gkPa4_tFhfzlLcxh5T2KlM8kzLKIckk6YxrcHYZviMrLxOhbJCIlgljijJyhzn76o82sun0RYyUfHBw_VAATuVKsaIoLTdWT_a7M-meBuLfJ6WeMimTrdhPA/s320/DSC_0300.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Heather and her burned hand....Still working with a smile!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861134626548530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAITpcPMDu3EMv_moag1lNDBdLEmgbPjL-AQ_m9QDeIBCoY6K30WSssKbqWMkShl-F-NSO5_GuVm6wlqqEAzQjj8Dd_1oQD5POyNK3n7-lDfZ1cpr0tKtmC7ADmBYWlDNw-sxfR54OsGA6/s320/DSC_0319.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />With thrity minutes left, all four muppets are up and ready. Now it's time for Elmo's cake and poured sugar fish bowl (the cause of Heather's burn).<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362860952150983106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qO5O4Y7lBZRM8t3cmgSI5nZ_aczcP-B6_XJ5I1w6YSSEMEzhFXXQ6viaQep_7G27Iry1UkiqGZZoOr8JQ8trj-cm06brF3mWR_NtEpAWYR2b43m_f8FW-654oCQulivq1xHblvnguw5Q/s320/DSC_0330.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Rush, rush, rush.... Getting little details finished as best we can.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362860193412274658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2pWf4rVgyW5JHjl7iapg95vWa5-4BGvAHeG0y7g4UgbbvwaBdpeV96hZ3UH3dDdCTTu3Dr1ye3MY1CTwRKzna0VDVkPeYckBFI1isp2mFAvBz2Gfxwpbu7epU4-2cHTWTMCxJSQerpvM/s320/DSC_0339.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362860098042370146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUsIkKsqhrTzzVa4-JcfaJ-OPKow0K6tI6ehWH8Ir0ll4H6A-_kXLMwm6JXmuZ2YXJWSMehyphenhyphenVWIeSSo_T1uepQu4RBUCPMHAeL8u7LeqtQCFVgGQ0bWY0K6IKnseXgGP_v90ci5fS0MVJ/s320/DSC_0348.jpg" /><br /><br />I had to climb a ladder to get Elmo's cake up. The entire cake stood almost 5-feet tall.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362860010460018674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hxIPCdDJJrsa_VlgGtt2NXi4NpIwxWYTvL-QoIkm1G-wQJbQzdOgSr1duGVACGfg6aR-e59GtzQ-BB_pqEPISydCQPrkicnGkjr6ImC5eLsfnzDeoUmABxQmBwfRnx8dXEVJ_SkM0eFb/s320/DSC_0351.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Here's the winning cake. Mike McCarey's Big Bird. It was incredible. I've never seen a cake that perfect in person. He deserved his win!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859922833888818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKHOKUjoSnd6UnX-KipoMlGd6tQANb66NOEOA6EOKjSfW2vPrS3gURVTocWgDiYiK9ZLMnzgDzu1MLDpwzG0UZYUmj6jb5WNU7VWZ7SORN-yDCIH1LnDZPs4SkoTUpliPDqmAChG8gUDn/s320/DSC_0377.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Mariane Carroll's Cookie Monster cake. So cute! I loved the chef's hat and the smiling stick of butter.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859837649074338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1iyB_tOWiA3pHOXnk3SCwxq4q3CxAUAh5cMLRLZWykKpp1M22D3Yr5wHIW4QqLOXWGDpltHnFWaWW6ZdngyRKy5_grtYjiKPC3OA_nRV8qJts4VttYNX035jhlEES7TsBnOszVl2sqJb/s320/DSC_0383.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Roland Winbeckler's Oscar The Grouch cake. It was great. The sugar "trash" he made at the bottom of the cake was fantastic!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859749951542306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzmc6OqZWOwx919Ktnq2uKTOfto5VARB0IvqqQihmAbsDeqvjAPrqZS5xuFUXEQbKYfAa9nySiPjw1LUPCDKolaJQe4WHJdkFYSYSGlrkFqAcyz2cpnj7IoEQ9kj1IBwAW30bUy3P4jD8/s320/DSC_0385.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />So, by now you know that we didn't win. But we got the silver medal. We were both so proud to have finished the cake, especially under those circumstances.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859664780781570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EOvwPfNNBPl_hSKJiSpMAqx_w1G_yzpe5Bc7ld-PG26ciM_FFy7ENiNv7U65yYKWKfxNqG6nStjHgfr5bxFUzjlSgLpjdYuRT4s-OqEX0IPsf3H7pz2lisdtG-demcbmIm8hbaRgd4Zc/s320/DSC_0392.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Our cake still makes me laugh.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859566968797234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn9gYbpshGbzx_Ak26yuiDGyIpBmx_aUIbJ3feF4jcBv8ftdqeRSnet_eUfyMpROOm5TmKZ85kyPO-7VPXz2WzMJ42VkUGAmRLRJSUgD-zDIyO6fceUNNTHOEmbrqeqFdJR_NYV6vlOpG/s320/DSC_0404.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859367645012370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6pUSw5qaDvwsl4Tv-d_MHRs4ZY62JHOvlMCWMvErfVdAaxeYNAZT7b-wNc94gE3N3r1laz4Xm8Ocz9X3dC_fMCxXXQzD0ltbJgYdutdCIN97KdMJG0RDkkIYvHjJcEtOnic20dUkL2Vw/s320/DSC_0407.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />The judges, both sets, posing with the cake.... Classic!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859276079583698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPXYIfg_iSro_05NzlHOgfA0Xz1rN8bEPyigAtyJt4dVwuEVEzJOQN-BIIXzBEfnB3Z6bS7I274t27e1Lw3qtimclbN63CHRjUAZQ1C2t0niwly5a3iKrpenpw-EeTzTEiWg4R2FjirAq/s320/DSC_0411.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Here's Mike McCarey. Check out his website. You won't believe his cakes. <a href="http://www.mikesamazingcakes.com/">http://www.mikesamazingcakes.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859164750500466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1AAE00MQLbXFXCF_I2iNLD2x5Ah3HYST8zEKJFu7HrCxrBITESgTAyCe68cnhLNNmBRxv_UexOf6kDlSCNhewnvnO_c3nZ2DQwDjMXllc1326loxYrHcBUjmqmxF70Hg33vWk4sOp44N/s320/DSC_0440.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Here are Marsha and Roland Winbeckler <a href="http://www.winbeckler.com/">http://www.winbeckler.com/</a><br />Marianne Carroll and Lauren Bozich <a href="http://www.whiteflowercake.com/">http://www.whiteflowercake.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859107609759522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEg2JGqOPS8k2LS0IachJ0YN3qaBElB5pZd1ArvmtCjDL0E_8wiUgtFURdU_niHfQKshaxTDaUifoaPxF6mYmtAPVRCR_1cOvnJJg2BHpxzPpjmcCmFU9Ubhe9c147GpWaz7cZ0QcQCDy/s320/DSC_0445.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Here are Kerry and Cookie. A match made in Heaven!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362859036335896466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkJoosirhmRrdvWKjbAeAtRT5ChtTmLrcIgbwV5E-qUoofGaA87tdP9j6AQ0m5Ok_umjMt7OW7_eLLPptj3d43qeZhxeplrhbSB8zAE5ZRlKdpE-cxyg-NQaWCmmg6cHmkhEvpnU6cKKw/s320/DSC_0446.jpg" /><br /><br />Ahhh, the silver medal. Next time gold....?<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362867173980722834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEde3SzDv66qM0ZYCnD29cpRjS0UfOSsgCuBPToaAgLUg9f94MGY6FMYbKWrZOuN0WyktzCcgcgiDR2xtVvzbNIH4d2aco63FdgB_S-lZqntsLZcbmnD5Cv1Y3RjhSyrjAv3quvI58Dmk/s200/silver+medal.jpg" /><br /><br />Food Network Challenge Sesame Street Cakes, original air July 26, 2009 on Food Network.Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-14396054934207353052009-07-22T17:18:00.000-07:002009-07-22T17:23:13.036-07:00Food Network Challenge Sesame Street Cakes airing this Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 7:00pm central time<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzkcbsd3JpE8D42ts2S5nMoosOxkEG0HQVrAwzFR99yGapCASABDTdSqJ95RDdjkKvYG-X6Ytlyj5s0zCTlSA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-91225497661571552642009-03-31T19:38:00.000-07:002009-05-11T12:30:06.816-07:00Food Network Challenge, Sesame Street Cakes<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8WD1IsDkM51z-cHr1vmJhkgdlHkXDmUvraYX0BUD-H4k4F1B8r9Hgu_vurED_9z30VDKDBB4Z_SFuhMOqT9x7H3glK842XgB9dTO41ffN_Pi7LM1J2SQ6ZUKgyr9flt0Q9fXvTQn8AHU/s1600-h/DSC_0170.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319547985002354274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8WD1IsDkM51z-cHr1vmJhkgdlHkXDmUvraYX0BUD-H4k4F1B8r9Hgu_vurED_9z30VDKDBB4Z_SFuhMOqT9x7H3glK842XgB9dTO41ffN_Pi7LM1J2SQ6ZUKgyr9flt0Q9fXvTQn8AHU/s320/DSC_0170.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I just shot my second Food Network Challenge.<br /><br />This one was "Sesame Street Cakes."<br /><br />Wait until you see these cakes!<br /><br />It is scheduled to air on July 26, 2009 on Food Network. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-89340368377694382472009-02-01T17:41:00.000-08:002009-04-05T08:52:48.968-07:00Food Network Challenge...At Sesame Street!The Food Network sent me and my competitors to New York on January 28th to visit the set of Sesame Street to prepare for the next Challenge we're doing in this spring. It's a Sesame Street themed Challenge and we are all making a muppet cake. Our Challenge will be filmed at the Food Network studio on March 25th.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67KtKhOAzbhAxhhv_UqFLqDD93cAilJduPXVMZXxkfczJl91bfb8z2T6e2eKdjDYIE_x1J85mD-oEKmkuIsIu9rwpT2B6NWC1ZluNfR9DV0lRRTxARiJCB1is15sO6k7pz9j8li9VgHyC/s1600-h/Roland+Mike+Marriane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298011750819736866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67KtKhOAzbhAxhhv_UqFLqDD93cAilJduPXVMZXxkfczJl91bfb8z2T6e2eKdjDYIE_x1J85mD-oEKmkuIsIu9rwpT2B6NWC1ZluNfR9DV0lRRTxARiJCB1is15sO6k7pz9j8li9VgHyC/s320/Roland+Mike+Marriane.jpg" border="0" /></a> From the left, this is Roland Winbeckler (one of the pioneers in American cake decorating and an incredible cake artist. Remarkably, this will be Roland's first Challenge), Mike McCarey (a master cake sculpter, a Challenge multi-winner, and my hero), Marianne Carroll (incredibly creative cake designer and a Challenge veteran). I'm up against some tough competition, but I can't wait!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq1uWhYPxm6RRu9EoZ0GJLZId9facgOHske2VWKdPnWsTyr8oTNzlLHrRfy_QA-smDWHJoA7EQK9EbDoisVld1Sc8F2z2UErFrlGto_iADulfX91KHo1CjUVFLPKtVNRAQFelmg-mkW_J/s1600-h/street+lamp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298011443114393810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq1uWhYPxm6RRu9EoZ0GJLZId9facgOHske2VWKdPnWsTyr8oTNzlLHrRfy_QA-smDWHJoA7EQK9EbDoisVld1Sc8F2z2UErFrlGto_iADulfX91KHo1CjUVFLPKtVNRAQFelmg-mkW_J/s320/street+lamp.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEONzx8JN-sMbP7T9sZeW6mr_zMIfleCejjpxXBQ6UKy33A8orio6CMEp1_QE0ZdNjkTRrTbkIZNUX2IJX3Zv3xnZ2useQP_lpWMujJDc5zU79jxAu83S-tj62g6VUJaNoujNCwp3h8k6/s1600-h/the+stoop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298011265058805474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEONzx8JN-sMbP7T9sZeW6mr_zMIfleCejjpxXBQ6UKy33A8orio6CMEp1_QE0ZdNjkTRrTbkIZNUX2IJX3Zv3xnZ2useQP_lpWMujJDc5zU79jxAu83S-tj62g6VUJaNoujNCwp3h8k6/s320/the+stoop.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeWNmUXHwH_RKXXTEFcCBfZ_6mV7m-uIQMLxkGNjQNqV6T2eWPcYFpyCCizo4-bGUi5kV_qFftWi6057P-dYtIQN-GX9Zq_6ANro42ZVQrV2SRqiWOACw9eXX70BLAHzxkUMGXKKFXczb/s1600-h/Lauren+on+the+stoop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298011624452172306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeWNmUXHwH_RKXXTEFcCBfZ_6mV7m-uIQMLxkGNjQNqV6T2eWPcYFpyCCizo4-bGUi5kV_qFftWi6057P-dYtIQN-GX9Zq_6ANro42ZVQrV2SRqiWOACw9eXX70BLAHzxkUMGXKKFXczb/s320/Lauren+on+the+stoop.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me on the Sesame Street stoop.<br /></p><p>I'm making the Elmo cake for the Challenge. Each of us interviewed our muppet. This is me during my interview with Elmo. After the interview was over Elmo called my 4 year-old daughter, Stella, in Dallas. She LOVED it!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0pBwlDfIP_n9yUCi91UBG7TwBgOcHibpWGoMfi8hYnn00aHarl-aDfgYmwrqSWGofAvQVJm1G_jexgkt-MNDfpQLsayBCjH_WT-hCv1b6joiZ9XAFkY5863sXbWmWB4ninKR6VebQ-kp/s1600-h/elmo+and+Lauren.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwwZmDv7K-Nv3oectM-EORYChDf_fAU0iYC9O93YRnQ_RfHeBA1EH4UBCMReXfsqh8KH2zbLOCzNYYyYYdlE-jXTyd9VrpBxelVYnyEVFkLGI4H0W2Tve6PvmPYEbG_-cddEGsaGqdUC0/s1600-h/elmo+and+Lauren+again.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZNIsdkJE9qNJ5DQFYzNUAxgHhgWm0eeXARqbDNPl7OewPltlBkPM12t0Cl9TSzissvIqjPTRXviN7bb64n6927jO9HGnM8bsT1RrTFYmxuBjrx7xCeKzZo2ld8NKJURXpGdBihZd1ul5/s1600-h/safe+elmo+and+Lauren.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298277819641436450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZNIsdkJE9qNJ5DQFYzNUAxgHhgWm0eeXARqbDNPl7OewPltlBkPM12t0Cl9TSzissvIqjPTRXviN7bb64n6927jO9HGnM8bsT1RrTFYmxuBjrx7xCeKzZo2ld8NKJURXpGdBihZd1ul5/s320/safe+elmo+and+Lauren.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUI60-vHPqUK-61xRFsUAS-M9qhF7Z1nF8ys_K9H0bmHUZSAk1sohmzqydTJXw1pVnIJ_hEPIEe35o9ePHzL2NLYigsZvircfKUInGSY_i3oQxBCU4sgC3ndPSFccxaO2Lu3pSlHkDzwo/s1600-h/safe+elmo+and+Lauren+again.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298277671604036274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUI60-vHPqUK-61xRFsUAS-M9qhF7Z1nF8ys_K9H0bmHUZSAk1sohmzqydTJXw1pVnIJ_hEPIEe35o9ePHzL2NLYigsZvircfKUInGSY_i3oQxBCU4sgC3ndPSFccxaO2Lu3pSlHkDzwo/s320/safe+elmo+and+Lauren+again.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's Marianne interviewing Cookie Monster. What a cute couple! </p><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298015096535010386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGfetaEk6u2AOkP4kDRAD_dnr2AThblmG_GGoG3KJGFbESJ_LqCNwGI_MhSyZaMXWoIQpdJwvpqBHstjoa23rvtTwLj2T2hyY_RZi5gBTNAhjInFJLpoKfZ9by4K8EFE7TzlIJPYmYtCe/s320/cookie+monster+and+marianne.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Roland interviewing Oscar. This was a hysterical interview! Even the cameraman was having trouble holding the camera still. We were all laughing.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSxiV6UWItvXrUZvF64J7EW5IxUizu8xIiiDggsiP0n8cZ_jCZWfULj-COEtrsLR89LOm79brhAi8xmydX9PXHkI6w6CtI0vjz1-NU1y_Uo5ooEYf_DoYhm6j2lMjLOkGUZad6T_rxV3I/s1600-h/safe+roland+and+oscar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298278026068722978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSxiV6UWItvXrUZvF64J7EW5IxUizu8xIiiDggsiP0n8cZ_jCZWfULj-COEtrsLR89LOm79brhAi8xmydX9PXHkI6w6CtI0vjz1-NU1y_Uo5ooEYf_DoYhm6j2lMjLOkGUZad6T_rxV3I/s320/safe+roland+and+oscar.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_FRqZTc3JJG80XybrfemSXZk9TWM4FDaoTpfazqnj4D1Fbiawxy-oeYvzNbt6mxYLPNhzLomHBkQ3c9Rh8eX0I4Yq5cBnJItb1YI7c1tbTSfJCoc1TRRo7bc6-H3DpMAg4nFG2xmI_4w/s1600-h/getting+Carol+in.jpg"></a>Mike interviewing Big Bird. He even prepared a custom "knock-knock" joke for Bird.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3sKag0XSMog1dHDStwDhACpC4Ji-DS3uSjhBEKY2U-3yVpApIp0B7XMJtyUEpAfk0XxyT14o8LV3SZkaGvwpFpbk17dHKSoDGjvlp04Cx1qtFex_j4eEx3gmtASfP8hnXTs_iIyRwtOV/s1600-h/Big+Bird+Mike.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298022788428360514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3sKag0XSMog1dHDStwDhACpC4Ji-DS3uSjhBEKY2U-3yVpApIp0B7XMJtyUEpAfk0XxyT14o8LV3SZkaGvwpFpbk17dHKSoDGjvlp04Cx1qtFex_j4eEx3gmtASfP8hnXTs_iIyRwtOV/s320/Big+Bird+Mike.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Roland snooping around Sesame Street. I'm sure there's some good stuff in that can!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHUrmDV6CB5WCDfGbGSVH9yvlN1w5qNBLLyjHZBqenHsw7rc4CZhkwf8fu8a7Px1JZl8uTJgRIUXoAKH6Q1ngHC4cOzvK0WG7682Wr6HinFxw9BGP0f2Twh4dwXP-iaF8AlPuZH4-5W7f/s1600-h/roland+snooping.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298023505428166482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHUrmDV6CB5WCDfGbGSVH9yvlN1w5qNBLLyjHZBqenHsw7rc4CZhkwf8fu8a7Px1JZl8uTJgRIUXoAKH6Q1ngHC4cOzvK0WG7682Wr6HinFxw9BGP0f2Twh4dwXP-iaF8AlPuZH4-5W7f/s320/roland+snooping.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mike, Marianne and I wanted pictures in Big Bird's bedroom with his huge nest.<br /></div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAROtGjmbBzPLKg8BwJx9X7DSFVPFZlfNEVeT-zq9UTQhfskFE7WH3lM5XXFN1pfm2USs_0nETnkY7By5bxoP7RHoUus0RsgcDs16Mx0nRfgqH78GFd5b6equ9vdUEA9m4zaAjVBL1gSiE/s1600-h/Lauren+and+nest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298023369922664498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAROtGjmbBzPLKg8BwJx9X7DSFVPFZlfNEVeT-zq9UTQhfskFE7WH3lM5XXFN1pfm2USs_0nETnkY7By5bxoP7RHoUus0RsgcDs16Mx0nRfgqH78GFd5b6equ9vdUEA9m4zaAjVBL1gSiE/s320/Lauren+and+nest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRqFlANtlvhrFIuvMxvwHBFMNWhgczOvvCa2LMfE6ZwFU4Nrd2X6JqtP5T9vilsFixZc869fp5QiM5eYfvYFsMELaQvNV2dLKHmPLcZmrGjaJiDPBEXmNxmpWQjMDMBC55YrjAeR00Lf3/s1600-h/Marianne+falling+in.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298023214225943138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRqFlANtlvhrFIuvMxvwHBFMNWhgczOvvCa2LMfE6ZwFU4Nrd2X6JqtP5T9vilsFixZc869fp5QiM5eYfvYFsMELaQvNV2dLKHmPLcZmrGjaJiDPBEXmNxmpWQjMDMBC55YrjAeR00Lf3/s320/Marianne+falling+in.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cZGDY_WRQQ8gEyl11ETz0f-75ba_wyr37PKHtHLcj4w-O5KRDlpAaXlUMLJlNvtdkk6egMJ0sMem_fYLiTxMADBrdkHHoifTGJmZVgW-a9e4P5OI0OndzyM103IlL8nY7Y49rlGICAr7/s1600-h/Mike+at+the+nest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298023109874072930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cZGDY_WRQQ8gEyl11ETz0f-75ba_wyr37PKHtHLcj4w-O5KRDlpAaXlUMLJlNvtdkk6egMJ0sMem_fYLiTxMADBrdkHHoifTGJmZVgW-a9e4P5OI0OndzyM103IlL8nY7Y49rlGICAr7/s320/Mike+at+the+nest.jpg" border="0" /></a> This was an amazing experience. I can't even explain how emotional I was all day. From Sesame Street to the brilliant cake artists that I look up to... I was overwhelmed!</div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Wish me luck for the Elmo cake I'll be making in March on the Food Network. All the cakes will be great. This Challenge will air sometime this year to head the 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557762387124862329.post-26722058944478282812008-12-29T18:11:00.000-08:002009-03-31T19:36:25.015-07:00More Food Network Pictures!<div align="center"><strong>Behind-the-scenes pictures from my first Food Network Challenge</strong></div><div><div><div><div><div align="center"><strong>Disney Classics Cakes</strong></div><br /><div align="center">This episode premeired on Food Network on March 15, 2009. </div><div align="center">It will air in rotation. Check the Food Network website for air times.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM5n8sKUEgdeA1sZDzDCoieAt7T76VVwPW3uaQQ9JU9KG0riPKT2nExsN6u-24FS8sRURYQ7hzjs565QfMumDaqskKcQ3qkNzHl8mpWZktV0fn6IahHm2JAWph_TdZ4h-6JKTeMMGuq4t/s1600-h/blog+Program.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319533120518452386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM5n8sKUEgdeA1sZDzDCoieAt7T76VVwPW3uaQQ9JU9KG0riPKT2nExsN6u-24FS8sRURYQ7hzjs565QfMumDaqskKcQ3qkNzHl8mpWZktV0fn6IahHm2JAWph_TdZ4h-6JKTeMMGuq4t/s320/blog+Program.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319530150521166658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rgO2TviF6MdvcZfWA7reauF2YbSTEovz2gFTGDnqax834A236dJbDuV9-uXmilnfaI7q9L5ctKmILKcjp43wQWC9pXq9o4YPtE1qOb5Gv-k6MZRbbrOC_R1JSyU22FDcAMT2vRo__pw-/s320/blog+1461+Lauren.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319530465093833714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 231px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIyQ-wleVjZHWLhFv_YsMedXzhXSb90QPIEsQVcsuyePWLBNFv6N9LAd_gQmszqePwEi5GG0FJsRm6YeLDJIjHbaP3DndoYrWmLt2gIeyhrIsSqYqz7kA6_ApPMwZ8RunXxooivBjc5Ee/s320/blog+1479+Lauren+%26+crew.jpg" border="0" />All of the four competitors were assigned a film crew for the day. That's my cameraman, Greg. He saw and heard everything I did that day.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319530820996705682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0UeBm4LiHqLBM4caQ_bsXGuEU-UDGUFA4zKEniVJfFaKnfOvmY9Eehli3YMKdhgIrWmojFZhZgYX1z7f-mnXqONvwW2coynkMyXyf7koP-JAQIYkrS4Svyk1nAd2PLYnnHtsnlKePs-9/s320/blog+1481+Lauren+Heather+%26+Kerry.jpg" border="0" />Judge Kerry Vincent is actually very sweet. Much unlike her stern persona on TV. I got her laughing early in the day. She's a kitten!<br /><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319531456776454578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 249px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3FvvxBfWq5WUylBiDSSw8pOL-PvKme6fP8graiybC7_qzwpdxN7e745KkWsLanzA7F4AibWPt5bMjs8lMDPggXbj2zUsaLA53MdrW5k7kQWGDTViiR6cuTszMe92iUWqqkjKewtKMIzH/s320/blog+1488+Lauren+%26+Heather.jpg" border="0" />Half way through the day my assistant, Heather, and I were so tired already. I think this is the only laugh we had that day. It was much needed.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNnlxbC3lsyFdrpz5hZCXG0uTbkKQxmKiAuSNMPeNY9QR99244WLaefEjlSBBTqmQzOr3Je03RzFsxsetN4muvCMaRTB1fjCbwfTdIfjXEHjCimMC1CxpK66c3VUd2LgzIQUoLNNEMLTX/s1600-h/blog+1507+Lauren+Kerry+%26+Patrick.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319532010778333074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 263px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNnlxbC3lsyFdrpz5hZCXG0uTbkKQxmKiAuSNMPeNY9QR99244WLaefEjlSBBTqmQzOr3Je03RzFsxsetN4muvCMaRTB1fjCbwfTdIfjXEHjCimMC1CxpK66c3VUd2LgzIQUoLNNEMLTX/s320/blog+1507+Lauren+Kerry+%26+Patrick.jpg" border="0" /></a> I love this moment. Heather is peeling off the red brick stencil from our chimney cake. The judges loved it. Our other judge, Patrick Coston, actually gave us a "wow."<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPWXA2MIYJYO7a5dDTPyO1EKcd0Ee9XKQFNhI-Oz7QWL9YVDnCcVMxMQXrl5aHbbKm-A10mu6_QnsmdI0lvNRXMiBGyG_0FTQGKbO_clbpPjciEnW0e16IiWKWMcTL7y-wDNcHhPhVaZ5/s1600-h/blog+1487+Lauren+Patrick+%26+crew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319531147298828594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPWXA2MIYJYO7a5dDTPyO1EKcd0Ee9XKQFNhI-Oz7QWL9YVDnCcVMxMQXrl5aHbbKm-A10mu6_QnsmdI0lvNRXMiBGyG_0FTQGKbO_clbpPjciEnW0e16IiWKWMcTL7y-wDNcHhPhVaZ5/s320/blog+1487+Lauren+Patrick+%26+crew.jpg" border="0" /></a> The judges were always hovering around us. They never gave us many insights into what they were thinking. They would slip away throughout the day to talk smack about all of us to the cameras. We didn't know what they said until we saw the episode.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQnIxe4ZFhygSwQahGTbuRhaW4xD82oW8HwyCFhEZLIzx_jC6KFSv7YO3SE3tIfRScXr5nNs1hftkTrnsW-8arBsmNXCwjWJq78Hd_5O4YPgv0TIQoBgwnnhwXCX0YS3JKaYUkaZJBibu/s1600-h/blog+1511+Lauren+%26+crew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319532293330725250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQnIxe4ZFhygSwQahGTbuRhaW4xD82oW8HwyCFhEZLIzx_jC6KFSv7YO3SE3tIfRScXr5nNs1hftkTrnsW-8arBsmNXCwjWJq78Hd_5O4YPgv0TIQoBgwnnhwXCX0YS3JKaYUkaZJBibu/s320/blog+1511+Lauren+%26+crew.jpg" border="0" /></a>Putting Mary Poppins' head on. It all started to come together.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319532567418271794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU-Hw8Z7C8gfh7v08jg7MJsacmu_Hhx44s-_j56Tuzi5Sb2l-rJASGtfuXCSCYP5zknAM9n5zUjFVSNP2o-K-KEASMFjH_veW2DYuIP1yLDcVvpL6r7eozTcVYzJ1bz2zmOyW1jYZ8_4u/s320/blog+1512+Lauren+%26+crew.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><br /><div>ARGHHH! I'm so tired at this point. Getting all my white gumpaste elements airbrushed black, hoping they would dry in time to place on the cake. With one hour left I felt like I wanted to give up. But I kept going and finished the cake in time.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkh4BHS2c-fH30IfOya85d6lDHwh9tt4BuaoMsfIugBWWHRBTY4U3B_uiGZLy9HbftXVOn7xJ8X0zuQZu-Bqe670eArP8R4_E5FMwAeC4ywFrhrMDkdDIiUAdhx8P5ooYhfBF3K3ipP4L/s1600-h/blog+1526+Moving+Mary+Poppins.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319532943379002354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkh4BHS2c-fH30IfOya85d6lDHwh9tt4BuaoMsfIugBWWHRBTY4U3B_uiGZLy9HbftXVOn7xJ8X0zuQZu-Bqe670eArP8R4_E5FMwAeC4ywFrhrMDkdDIiUAdhx8P5ooYhfBF3K3ipP4L/s320/blog+1526+Moving+Mary+Poppins.jpg" border="0" /></a>Moving this heavy cake was the last thing we had to do. Then I faced the judges.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319538036768084994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WuTKgOQqTfIRcKo-CHROHTaso6fr8epGAZidtpTww9MgEVeEoaXXNA8fKPp5KypR08ncKRRcVjQKnkboqO_DIDLHMYnSGmWYSWLMm88g2zKmWuq7CSmtFQobbWOO5QxP18ArokbZ12Ys/s320/DSC02311.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319543635856840690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV36IqIc8uv-rKyqWw5EmhoWK6P6SGgE7jXfN0W4VsinPEsgIWhPG2Dwb5zKlYAE0mBfdGVexC15wM2ZbwFEwz_nSuoBgz6LlpPLhFKRxFzTNOOS1dPjZFpwM2_SLigeo0jcqcUTi-V48/s320/DSC02337.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319540729448896802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Be1-RfoxYqSMFNv0qn2r4St39JIirfukBNBLJOlIF6IDoa0dJoCy-dUNGqTDlgjuCbS0SeynNEv9K7cuUyR-RyUrh8-ePd5_Z9kNl4WsdPZ_Y30l_9PTPR8g5zJtuHw7PDT6F44jGEYa/s320/DSC02335.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319545147426397538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS50zcrECSOqgQfzHxkOGWxaGAvkkt19V6U0jqt9Lkb8xJNYAmZcaenZxHuANpLeaAWyRIqW6gkxM1Yr8M9G_l44JxGrFujt8O25RiuQ4A-cBkswDWMkF-RsIPyDtNSllsm-VQ3dpmNle3/s320/DSC02322.JPG" border="0" />The winning cake!! "Pinocchio" by Richard Ruskell, Montage Resort in Beverly Hills, CA<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnIJQQstxs4DuJn7Yjhnh0zoteADzOmKS6ullkqpPwLxZzGV6YudODhOELQf3fiNES7k1FwvAB14Q9swb-lhBS1qrjMywMy79KGuNABqJjMsXyXTHZJ9qR67YuhGVPJykn3EEaXoYIElK/s1600-h/DSC02321.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319539208325766114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnIJQQstxs4DuJn7Yjhnh0zoteADzOmKS6ullkqpPwLxZzGV6YudODhOELQf3fiNES7k1FwvAB14Q9swb-lhBS1qrjMywMy79KGuNABqJjMsXyXTHZJ9qR67YuhGVPJykn3EEaXoYIElK/s320/DSC02321.JPG" border="0" /></a> "Sleeping Beauty" by Grace Chyun, Sweet Gems Cakes in Huntington Beach, CA<br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42UEDR6JbEyqHmeI8p_x0mnzQPOVRXA3zhKLERtuR0rUDP39Q9qtJB__ZRsj43Sgepbekkp-QC8a2TBuGM9Rh_ffZchC5V0me0sqPqTULNX4MHB6xok4uAWWJqLk-1Fhyphenhyphen8Ev7L4DcwPiW/s1600-h/DSC02319.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319538689435506066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42UEDR6JbEyqHmeI8p_x0mnzQPOVRXA3zhKLERtuR0rUDP39Q9qtJB__ZRsj43Sgepbekkp-QC8a2TBuGM9Rh_ffZchC5V0me0sqPqTULNX4MHB6xok4uAWWJqLk-1Fhyphenhyphen8Ev7L4DcwPiW/s320/DSC02319.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>"Snow White" by Ashley Vicos, Atlanta, GA</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310243576067299714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsNopCftRohM3dAXqD_dosxuGY7w5JxVO0FFBhIUJLx8Qo0YKMmZZFQjs-ls8X0FfkAEwFtT32c767q2LYIshuxlQpfCX7igiDhdiHR_wHYOCijpJVLFlof0A0rnRs7elkPjkn4aRh8ZQ/s320/the_group.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319540315332184786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1q-zc6j4Z5POXixlsQ2Lgx8Tr5ZYEfaHVew-qYtheFJ2zmaHRx0yc8VQ3hK1i8L1y-gMJDp-oz59XCER0dJLhz1HsEIdCOQjv-stAM1_eRj-Kqa9-KQcL2ljnA30UQWY_NnPQXyQKfO-G/s320/DSC02342.JPG" border="0" />Me with the host of Food Network Challenge, Keegan Gerhard.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Fancy Cakes by Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603573625213178831noreply@blogger.com1