Hi! I just wanted to update everyone on the bridal show I had this weekend. (which is why I've been so scarce on here the past week)

It went really really well. There were piles of brides lined up to get samples of the cake, and the feedback we were getting was that we had the best tasting samples of all the bakers; it was refreshing for them to see new bakers at the show; they all thought my tiramisu cake was to die for; and they will be calling me. They did not get much chance to see our display because there were so many people crowded around us at all times. The display looked really nice, but I still see room for improvement. However, I was really happy that people were raving about the taste of the cakes. It pays to use butter and not crisco or oil!!

The organizer of the bridal show actually started personally recommending people to me. The other woman who is sort of the reigning queen of cakes in my town was also there, but she is booked solid for two years straight. I must say her cakes are stunning, but I don't see her as competition because she can't take anyone. There was a lady there who decorates cakes for a grocery store, but her samples were yucky. (I snuck one). She also had some pretty cakes.

I got a bunch of calls yesterday morning, so I am hoping that I get some more throughout the week. We'll see what happens!!
I did not get photos because we were so slammed and busy that we did not get a chance. I will post a picture of my pumpkin wedding cake we did when I get a chance.

Thanks for all of your positive feedback!! Have a great day!!
Ellen

Congratulations !! I hope that your phone only stops ringing long enough for you to get some rest !!

Congratulations ellepal, you deserve it.

Which cakes did you display?

Did you have a "most popular" request?

Glad to hear it all went well.

Thanks! I actually displayed the "Behemoth" cake (the beige/cream one with the fondant bows), the butterfly brocade cake, the green cake with grapes and white roses, the white fondant cake with the orchids, and we did a cascading winter pumpkin scene with albino pumpkins and a Cinderella and her prince. We also had a flash slideshow on a monitor of all of our cakes. There were girls taking pictures; hopefully, they liked my cakes well enough!!

I realize that I need to up my game a little and get really good at display cakes (I always seem to find little imperfections with them). The other lady had some gorgeous display cakes, and I need to go to that level. Hopefully, I'll get some time to do it!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!! I'm so proud of you!!!!

Congratulations!!! I'm so glad you got so much positive feedback. But there was no doubt, you and your husband are so talented. Hope you are soon booked solid!!

How are things going with getting your business opened?

Cindy

congrats!!! sounds like you are going to be very busy!!! yeeehhhaa!!

could i ask you a couple of questions? how much was it to enter the bridal show?
and also, can you tell us more about your cake flavors? they sound yummy. could you point us in the direction as to a recipe? i havent done a paid wedding cake yet, just my wilton cake for class. but when i do get to do a wedding cake, i would like to do more than a cake mix.
thanks for any info.

and congrats again! your head must be spinning!!!!

melody

Congratulations! Sounds like you had a great time! I hope you get lots of calls and orders!
I'm with Melodyscakes! Can you give us a hint on some of your recipes? I would just like you know how you make your tiramisu cake or if you know of any place that has a good recipe for one! That is me and my mom's favorite dessert and I'd like to know how it can be made into a cake.
Can't wait to see the pics of the pumpkin cake!
Heather

Thanks! Sure, I'd be happy to answer questions:

It cost 875.00 to do this show. It was a huge investment, but the exposure is going to pay off.

I did Tiramisu Cake, which is rich yellow cake with espresso and amaretto drizzled in each layer, and filled with sweetened marscapone cheese and almond buttercream. Orange Zest was yellow cake made with fresh squeezed oranges, orange zest, and just a dab of orange extract, filled with Smuckers low-sugar (not sugar free) marmalade, and orange marmalade buttercream. Raspberry White Chocolate Cake was white cake, white choc ganache, and low-sugar raspberry preserves (smuckers), and the chocolate was dark fudge cake with chocolate ganache made from Belgian chocolate, and regular chocolate buttercream. I can post recipes later...I just have to type them out.
I also did my peach cakes, which were a huge hit too.
The business getting opened is slow, but I am trying to get my cakes out there. Word of mouth seems to be working really well. The storefront is helping with exposure. I am not the best at organizing paper work, so I am trying really hard to get that together. Thanks for remembering!!

Thank you so much for the recipes! They all sound really yummy!
I hope everything goes smoothly for you and you can get your store up and running soon!
Keep us updated!
Heather

Congrats! that is so awesome for you!!!!!

Congratulations!!! Here's to the best year ever!!
Wishing much success to a very talented Lady!!!
You really deserve it.

Awww, shucks!! You guys are so nice to me!

Congrats! Your cakes looked great. I have a question about your fillings. They sound wonderful, but don't they need refrigeration? How do you work that out with a fondant cake?

You could not put fondant on the tiramisu, but the others would be fine.

Congrats, that is so exciting!

Thanks... looking forward to your reipes... my mouth is watering!

Congratulations! You both deserve it! I´m really looking forward seeing the pumpkin cake. You cakes will be the hit on the weddings to come.

WOO HOO!! Ellen, I am so thrilled for you that the bridal show went so well!! It's like your signature line says, there are no accidents! God put you there because it was your time to shine! I have a feeling paperwork, etc. will be falling in to place and business is heading your way. It couldn't happen to a nicer or more talented couple of people!

Happy Baking,
Beth

Not surprised at all that this went well, your work is amazing! So happy for you, you and your hubby deserve to do well, you are both so talented!
Hugs Squirrelly

Congratulations! It no wonder that you did well! I love your cakes, they're all so beautiful! And you cakes sound so good too!

Congrats!

I am so excited for you! Good luck with all the business that will come rolling your way!

Congratultions on your show!!! I just looked at the taupe wedding cake you did for display, I have that same cake in my wedding profolio!!! I find we have alot of the same taste!!!
Iam doing my first show this weekend, I only made my heavenly white for samples, our health dept is sooooo strict. Our samples have to sliced and put in sealed cups before the show, we cannot use any cream fillings, cream cheese or cheesecakes. I cannot sell home made bavarian cream fillings, or any pudding like fillings, moose etc!!! So I keep things very simple with cakes!
Iam so happy for you you will do fine!!!!

Connie

Congratulations...
Looks like you struck it lucky at this bridal show...
Hope you get alot of orders...

Thank-you!! I did not even know I had so many nice comments (I didn't get an alert!! grrr!!) I have not been on much because the show was so successful that the brides have just been rolling in all week. I already sold at least 5 wedding cakes, and several smaller cakes. At least 3 people want to order peaches. It's taking off, and I feel this new direction my life is taking to be energizing. I am tired, but could go forever. I'm pooped out, but it's worth it!! Besides, Martha STewart only sleeps 4 hours a night. I am just hoping that this could culminate into allowing me to quit teaching. We'll see!!