Hi all. I went to my hubby's cousins' house today for a First Holy Communion party. I thought they were going to get their cake from a local place like they always do. That place is in Peapack NJ - cocoluxepastry.com. The cakes are very good even if a bit overpriced. As a matter of fact I was thinking maybe next year (after little one starts pre-school) of asking if they need any help and maybe working there if at all possible.

Anyway, I was very surprised when I found out that their cake was actually purchased in NYC (the mother of the boy whom received 1st comm. is currently going to culinary school nearby) from Sylvia Weinstock. I was like "Cool. Now I can taste the cake of a true baking genius". Well my DH and I were both disappointed. If it's possible for a cake to be too moist, then this was. It was four layers of chocolate cake that had little taste and the filling consisted of a vanilla cream, another one was banana cream with small slices of banana, and the third was peanut butter. The fillings were pretty good even though my DH couldn't tell what the PB was - it was very mild. But the chocolate really had no kick. My DH commented that it tasted like water. Barely a taste and very very moist.

When asked how the cake was at the end of the evening, we both said it was terrific as we didn't want anyone's feelings to be hurt. They paid over $1,000 for it. It was decorated with a figure of the boy in his baseball uniform made out of sugarpaste. I figured it was either gumpaste or 50/50. The likeness was pretty good and the uniform was amazing. Wish I had brought my camera. I'll have to ask them for a copy of a photo.

I would like to see the pic if you can get one.

Wow, just goes to show you that more $$$ doesn't always mean it is better.

that is what happens when you pay for a name and not taste

I agree that just because you pay the big bucks, it doesn't always mean you'll get the best!

I referred to her book (can't remember the title) quite a bit when I was first learning to decorate.

One thing that surprised me were the diagrams she showed for her cakes. They were just sketches, but it looked like she used as much filling as cake. I LOVE filling, but there is such thing as too much!

She also recommended using simple syrups to moisten cake layers. Maybe that's where the wetness in the cake you ate came from...

I tried one of her cake recipes (again, can't remember which one) and I wasn't impressed.

However, she does make exceptionally beautiful gumpaste flowers.

When I make a cake, though, I want the whole package: good looks and fantastic taste.