THE CHRISTMAS EDITION

In the spirit of Christmas I was going to open with a great joke I heard the other day involving Santa and Tiger Woods, but I think I’ll play it safe and open instead with a BIG Merry Christmas to all instead!!

We kicked off the week with Anna Maria and Linda’s Christmas Cupcakes Workshops, which were extremely popular and I’ve had nothing but rave reviews from all who attended

After a busy week involving angelic cupcakes (thank you Jasmina for all your patient help!), an unusual plethora of breast cakes (an interesting Tuesday morning for Stuart) the return of much zenned out Paris, some champers and cheese and a visit from Bonnie Gordon from Canada http://www.bonniegordoncakes.com/. We said farewell to Handi and Margie for 2009. Wishing you both a fantastic holiday and safe travels, we can’t wait to see you in January!

I thought I would finish up today with a little look back at the year that was at Planet Cake. As a relative new comer to PC, even I have been completely blown away by the growth and change of direction we’ve taken throughout the year so I can’t even imagine how the rest of you are feeling.

March saw the long awaited release of “Planet Cake”, and cannot wait for the next book by Paris due out in October 2010 .

In April, we made our first ever appearance at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and were met by so many people inerested in cake decorating. This began our allegiance with the royal agricultural society with whom will be sponsors again next year for the Royal Easter Show 2010

In May, Fran and Rouvelee took on our very first class in Melbourne, turning the Kew Masonic Centre into a Planet Cake wonderland. What a long way we’ve come! Our first month of classes for 2010 are now already sold out and we are set to take on some mini-renovations to make the place even more fabulous

And who could forget the 300 Bvlgari cupcakes in August (myself and Antony dreamed in gold leaf for a week!) and THE Madhatter of the century to help celebrate NIDA’s 50th birthday bash for Cate Blanchett.

A few months over September-November saw a slew of fabulous events, shows, demos and launch parties including the Ultimate Wedding Planners Party, the Dream Team’s demo for the National Baking Institution and the Royal Melbourne Show.
Then in November came Brisbane (at last!!) Our friends up north were everything we’d hoped for and more and we can’t wait to return next year.

As a relative new comer to the world of cakes I would like to take the chance now to thank everyone at PC for making this such an enjoyable year full of fun, delicious baked gods, damn hard work and laughs all round. Its been a pleasure working with each and every one of you, and from the moment I stepped in the doors here I immediately felt like part of the team.

I would also like to thank all of you who have read my blog over the last few months, there’s nothing like receiving positive feedback from all of you to give a girl a real case of the warm fuzzies! From everyone here at Planet Cake, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a fabulous New Year full of love, laughter and bubbly!

I look forward to seeing you all again in 2010

Thea x

PLANET CAKE TEA PARTY LAUNCHED

We have just launched a new social networking site for cake decorators. i have been playing on it all morning and it is just amazinggg ! check it out at www.planetcaketeaparty.com.au enjoyyy !!

PLANET CAKE 2009 AWARDS

What a year we’ve seen here at Planet Cake in 2009! Once again we’ve pushed the boundaries of cake decorating to bring you the gob-smakcing, the amazing, the beautiful, the classic and very often the plain bizarre! Whatever the theme or event however you can be sure each cake is entirely unique and made with love.

So, drum roll if you please, I present to you the 2009 Planet Cake Awards:

BEST MADHATTER

Runner Up
This gorgeous pink Madhatter was for a beach-side ceremony in Byron Bay. Classic, and pretty with a touch of quirky.

Blue Ribbon
This one was definitely a no-brainer. Anna Maria’s Madhatter created for NIDA’s 50th birthday gala, and cut by Cate Blanchett herself even took our breath away

BEST NOVELTY WEDDING CAKE

Runner Up
I have to admit I’m a bit of a sucker for a cake with a special story behind it. After a surprise proposal in Japan this couple celebrated their special day with a replica of Mount Fuji

Blue Ribbon
This couple’s children were devastated to discover their beloved family pet wouldn’t be allowed at the wedding and so were treated to a special edible version instead!

BEST CHILDRENS BIRTHDAY CAKE

Runner Up
A late entry this year. Last week a very lucky 7 year old celebrated her birthday with a self-designed archaeological dig cake. I just love the pink bone- trimming, brilliant!

BLUE RIBBON
Definitely one of 2009’s stand-outs, Margie recreated this scene from Eric Carl’s classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar for a 1st birthday earlier this year.

BEST HAND BAG

Runner Up
Famed for our designer handbag cakes I thought I would include a couple of others we’ve made this year. This outrageous hat/handbag cake was designed to celebrate one lucky lady’s 50th birthday and I’m told it was mistaken for the real deal by more than one guest

BLUE RIBBON
This one is a great example of how well an extremely simple design can work, in both fashion and cake. This lucky 21 year old not only received a Ferragamo cake, but the real deal as well

BEST CUPCAKES

Runner Up
An absolute classic, these childrens cupcakes have remained a firm favourite throughout the year

BLUE RIBBON
Once again, this winner is an example of just how well simple elegance works.

BEST TRADITIONAL WEDDING CAKE

Runner Up
By changing the colour scheme, this gorgeous wedding cake pushes boundaries with its classic shape and design, and quirky colour choice.

Blue Ribbon
This one was created for the lovely couple Steve Menzies and Suyin Condon who tied the knot in October this year

BEST NOVELTY

Runner Up

A Moroccan inspired party was treated to this amazing creation earlier this year, I just love everything about this cake

Blue Ribbon

Ah the blood-red Armadillo cake. This was made for the opening night of Sydney’s Steel Magnolia’s, as a replica from the cake mentioned in the famed play. Inside, we dyed the white chocolate cake red, and we supplied matching cupcakes just so everyone knew it was actually edible!

BIG CAKES

Runner Up
This is a great example of just what goes on here behind the scenes. While this looks like a simple one, this cake took a LOT of engineering, with an amazing end result

Blue Ribbon
When Events Planner Anthony Del Col asked us to design a cake for his purple carpet 30th birthday party we certainly rose to the challenge. Not to be deterred by an unseasonable wintery, rainy day, a little creative vision ensured it made it on time, in one (fabulous!) piece to a very special event.

READERS CHOICE!
While these are some of our favourites, this is YOUR blog, so I would love to hear from you guys. Post your comments on your favourite cakes for the week by Monday and I’ll report back next week with the very special Readers Choice Awards.

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Thea x

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

Well it is definately beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in here with cakes in every corner! As we stuff ourselves silly with fruit cake (all in the name of product knowledge of course) delightfully Cristmassy concoctions are popping up all around us.
For those of you who don't live in Sydney I would like to share with you Planet Cake's 2009 Christmas display......
Margie painstakingly created each of these animals by hand to bring to life Antony's design for our Australiana-inspired version of the classic "Partridge in a Pear Tree", topped of course by our very own Funky Betty.

Keep an eye out in the coming week for Planet Cake, the best of 2009! Until then, wishing everyone lots of love and laughter as we charge into the silly season!

Thea

PC DREAM TEAM DEMO SHOWS 30.01.10

Planet Cake is taking their ‘dream team’ to the stage for the first time on the 30/01/10 at the Citigate Hotel in Sydney. The team includes Planet Cake’s Owner and Director Paris Cutler, Queen of the Madhatter Anna Maria Roche and Award Winning Chocolatier Jessica Pedemont.

Sydney-based Planet Cake will be running 3 demonstrations of their most popular cakes and techniques, the Madhatter, Technique Medley and Figurines. Watch as the team works together in unison, each covering a different element. This is an exciting and thorough way to learn how these complex cakes are made as you watch all of the decorators working at once. There will be lots of Planet Cake tips and tricks and plenty of time for Q & A and audience participation.“Attending a Planet Cake demonstration class will be a light bulb moment for many people and I am excited about meeting the students” says Paris Cutler, Planet Cake Director..Perfect for groups looking for an event with a difference, the demonstrations are being held @ Citigate Central Hotel (closest railway station Central). Price is $55 (inclusive of GST) this includes demonstration, Planet Cake discount card and refreshments. For bookings, visit www.planetcake.com.au/courses

PLANET CAKE UPDATE 30th NOVEMBER 2009

Hi Guys,

I know it’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to post some of our more recent amazing creations, but hopefully you’ve all been checking out our weekly favourites on Facebook. For those of you who aren’t already fans, make sure you check out our fab fan page.

All our Sydney readers will know how hot it’s been here over the past few days, and weather like this combined with chocolate ganache and fondant can present us with a few “challenges” here. Luckily our team are the absolute best, and despite some less than perfect conditions there was some absolute stunners this week:

boat party, Sydney Harbour and fabulous cake, does it get any better?

Definitely one of the standouts for the week was this striking cake designed especially for a Moulin Rouge themed 21st birthday party :

In course news, the (now very tired) Handi finished up our Brisbane workshops at the Bread House, following on from his final classes in Melbourne. Most of you will know just how excited we’ve been all year about finally getting up to Brisbane to meet our QLD friends, and the experience went above and beyond our expectations. From all reports you were all fantastic to work with and we would like to extend a big thanks to the lovely Danielle our facilitator as well as all the lovely people at the Bread House. But most of all thank you to everyone who attended our classes, we can’t wait to see you again!

Not to be outdone in , Anna Maria battled through larangitis to teach a fantastic Madhatter class this weekend. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Madhatter, it is a notoriously difficult shape to master (although you’d never think so to watch AM and Fran whip them up the way they do!) and the results here speak for themselves…well done Basics 109!

Groovy Figurines with Trish Harrison

How cute are these little people? Groovy figurine workshops with Planet Cake friend Trish Harrison are listed for next year. Trish was a Planet Cake employee back in the good old days and now lives in Wagga, we cannot wait to have her back home teaching her unique and practical babies and kids. All of Trish's workshops are under $200.

Planet Cake Update 16th November 2009

Hi All,

We often get asked here at Planet Cake, which cakes are our favourites to make. While it’s always great to see those really HUGE cakes go out, or that jaw-droppingly beautiful wedding cake, the cakes we really love to do are those with a story behind them. This week, our standouts by far were two unique wedding cakes which come with a story. Anna Maria created this amazing cake for two Scrabble fans who personalised the cake with their own special words

Meanwhile Handi created this stunning Mt. Fuji for a bride who’s groom popped the big question while on holiday in Japan.

Once again in the spirit of the Silly Season, we created this gorgeous cake to help Lingerie brand Treasure Couture celebrate their new season launch party

This week we are very excited as Handi heads to Melbourne for the final time for 2009, before at last making our way north to Brissie!!!! Watch this space over the coming days for all the latest news on our interstate classes.

Planet Cake Update 6th November 2009

What a fortnight we’ve had here at Planet Cake! Classes, parties, the Melbourne Cup!

For the first time in quite a while we have had our entire crew planted firmly in Sydney for an entire week, before our final interstate classes for the year.

Well we may not have won big, but Planet Cake was definitely taken over by Melbourne Cup fever this week, if only our tips were as hot as the weather. We were lucky enough however to have a visit from the man himself, Bart Cummings who stopped by for tea and a piece of cake while perusing the form guide.
All our spring brides out there are possible already aware, but Bride To Be Magazine celebrates it’s 150th anniversary issue this months, after over forty years in print. Planet Cake were delighted to create this gorgeous cake to help celebrate. Be sure to check out Chantelle Delaney’s stunning PC cake in the issue which hit the shelves this week.

Last week we helped the gals at Cleo surprise the Nova team….ah tough day at the office boys…

Meanwhile, Ritzy whipped up this amazing cake in honour of St. Germain’s launch in Australia. I’m not sure which was yummier the St. Germain cocktails or our cake!

Oh, and here are just a couple of things we whipped up in between…

We would like to extend a big congratulations to our final Foundation class of 2009, there was some amazing talent there and PC would like to wish them all the very best with their decorating.

And speaking of classes, here is some very exciting news…drum roll if you please… In association with our good friends at Cakes N More we are happy to announce that we are offering the chance for one lucky person to win a Planet Cake course voucher to the value of $500!!! For more details on how to enter check out Nicole from Cakes N More’s fab blog:

http://www.cakesandmore.org/blog/2009/11/win-a-class-at-planet-cake/


Stay tuned for all the news coming up later this month from our very first Brisbane classes, and all the usual excitement and goss here at PC. See you next week!

Thea x