AI was asked to do a carved cake!....and it's my first. Question is they asked for it to have a banana cream filling. My first thought was...yea, not going to work! Is there a way of going around it?? Is SMB the only option for a carved cake?

ADepends on the shape. Sometimes, I'm able to carve a cake then torte & fill.

AFor example, the low country boil, Cowboys jersey, & Crown Royal all had a filling. A 3d animal would be a bit more difficult.

Outline shapes, no problem. You can cut the shape then torte & fill using a dam. Something that has to be carved onto shape after stacked wouldn't do well with a filling other than ganache or buttercream.

AYes, it's dog cake. Thank you for clarifying though...I needed a second opinion.