Does Size Matter?

When it comes to your cake the answer is a BIG..... YES!!!!

If you are serving your cake for dessert you need to know that there is enough cake to feed ALL of your guests.

Your request to feed 150 people for dessert with a 3 tier cake is just not practical.

Take the time to speak with your cake decorator to discuss what size cake is right for you and ensure that there is enough for what you need.

If you have dessert in your package and only want a cake to serve with coffee then you can go smaller as not everyone will want cake at that time of the reception.
It is also very important to let your decorator know if you want to keep the top tier... (and my opinion on that will be a whole new post).... please also make sure you tell the venue so that they don't cut it. I have heard of this SO many times.
Make sure your decorater reminds the kitchen staff when your cake is delivered if the top is NOT to be cut!

So you have decided on your design and the size but will the size affect the look of the cake? In some cases yes it will.
I have made massive cakes, such as Fiona's pictured below that are not needed (Size wise) because a bride specifically wanted the look of a certain cake and that is the only way to achieve it.

Take for example my "Daphne" cake design. It's a very simple design but very popular last season.

This is the same cake in 3 different sizes.

Because it is such a simple design there is not a lot of difference but if you take a cake such as Fiona's 5 tier masterpiece and you don't get the proportions right the cake takes on a whole new look.

If you are not confident with your cake decorator move onto someone else.. It is YOUR special day!

For Sale - All Priced to Sell!!! Don't Miss Out

Here are the items and equipment that I have for sale.

If you are interested please email me at marakyecakedesigns@live.com.au or call 0404 127 227

Thanks Kylie

Stainless Steel Benches & Sink - $2200 for the lot

Very heavy duty Hospitality grade

* 3 x stainless steel benches

(various sizes but very heavy duty- can also be used as cafe front counters as they all have wooden backing on them)
* stainless steel double pot sink

Bench 1 - 600 x 1825cm

Wooden backing on the back & sides the same as shown in bench #2

Bench 2 - 800 x 1200cm (I used this one as a centre island bench)

It has a power point underneath and hole in the side next to the power point for a power cord

 Bench 3 - 720 x 1560cm (Bench only - Dough Break which is shown on the bench is sold seperately). This bench has 2 holes in the top for power cords. One directly under where the dough break is sitting and the other os on the left of it.

Wooden backing on the back & sides the same as shown in bench #2

240V BakBar Turbofan 31 with 4 hotplate cooktop $1500.

For item specifics please google Bakbar turbofan 31 (RRP $3000+)

Here is one link that I found http://www.completecateringequipment.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=548

* Cater Master 20L industrial mixer $1100

* Industrial Dough Break $1000

  * upright domestic freezer with 4 deep drawers Fisher & Paykel $60

** FREEZER HAS BEEN SOLD - THANKS **

they are all of my big items. I also have shop displays available if you are interested (hanging & rotating, baskets & stands) if you are interested in any of these please contact me and Ill let you know what I have.

I do... with sand between your toes

The memories of your beautiful beach wedding will linger on, long after your footprints in the sand have gone....

What ever it is that draws us to the romance of a beach wedding they never fail to impress me. Whether its a simple cermony or an elaborate affair the freshness, tranquility and sand between your toes always provides a truly wonderful wedding.

You can follow all of our great ideas on our Pinterest page by searching for Marakye

Here are some of my favourite beach themed wedding ideas.

Beach Themed Mood Board

Web Site is closing

I know I have been very quiet of late and here are loads of reasons for this but I wanted to post today to let you know that the web sites are being closed this week and this blog is going to be my online presence (apart from my Facebook page that is).

Considering my books are closed it is not really financially viable to keep running web sites when I am not generating an income.

So I have new passion... addiction... which is Pinterest... so I have decided to create some wedding mood boards to help insire the brides and grooms to be to go with a theme for your wedding.

I hope you all start following my blog as I have some awesome wedding ideas and inspiration to share with you.

I may not be making cakes any longer but I am studying Wedding Planning Styling & Design so the ideas will just keep coming.... Watch this space!

Newcastle Bride Feature

Last month I was lucky enough to be selected to have a business profile done by Newcastle Bride.

 

If you would llike to have a look it can be found at the following link.

 

Marakye Cake Designs on Newcastle Bride

 

 

Newcastle Regional Show 2013

Well I am very very happy to say that this year's hard work definitely paid off with

 

1st Place in the Modern Brides Open Class and the

Mavis Mepham Special Award

 

so with 2 new trophies and 2 new ribbons to add ot the collection I thought I would share my show cake journey with you all.

 

In 2012 I entered the Icing and Decorating Competition at the Newcastle Regional Show for the first time. I had not been to the show since I was about 17 and had never seen the cookery display so I had absolutely no idea what I was up against or what was required to get a placing in the show.

 

I created a white and gold 4 tier wedding cake with as many decorating elements in it as I could fit. There was piping, draping, brush embroidery, frills and a simple single rose on the top. It was gold... it was very gold.... and as a result I actually lost marks because of this but was elated to find out that I had won first place in the novice category as well as the Jean McKay Memorial prize and Best Novice exhibit in the show.

The novice category is for anyone who has not previously entered the show or not previously won the novice category so after my win it put me straight up into the open class for 2013.

 

I also entered a novelty cake with a 5 tier rocket ship that also also won 1st place in the Novice Novelty category. Needless to say it was a good year as far as the show was concerned.

 

What bothered me though was the fact that I did not like my wedding cake entry. It wasn't me and it wasn't my style, it was just what I thought the judges would score me well on. When the show was coming around this year I was determined to do something I loved and that's what I set out to do and achieved.

2012 Show Entries

I am very inspired by the vintage theme at the moment and this was what I decided to go with. I also had big plans for a novelty cake this year but I know how I want it and knew that time was not on my side so it's on the back burner for 2014...

 

I designed my cake, found the inspiration I needed and absiolutely stuck to the plan. I only started the cake 5 days before the entries had to be in so it was a busy week but amazingly I was finished and happy with it (which is a big call for me...lol) by 7:30pm the night before.

 

Knowing I was entering the open class this year I had no idea if I would get a place or not. My goal was not to win but to enter a cake that I loved, something I was happy with and something that reflected who I am and my style of work. Don't get me wrong winning was greatly appreciated......

 

A doily was a must, it is the first thing I think of when I think vintage and I wanted it hand piped - no stencilling and no sugarveil just old fashioned piping. It wasn't as painful as I had anticipated (other than the aching wrist after 3 hours of piping).

 

The birds were brush embroidered and the bottom tier was quilted, frilled and hand painted.

 

The pearls were inspired by a set of pearls that my daughter has and they had to look 'real' - I was happy with how they turned out.

The flower on the top.... that was the biggest decision, I searched for something to compliment the theme of the cake and finally cake across this flower in a silk version. I bought it, pulled it apart, worked out how to make it, dusted it all in the right colours and it was done. The leaved and berries just finished it off nicely.

I am eager to find out what the judges had to say when I pick up my report and see what areas they think need improving. I am relatively new to the whole competition side of thing... I am relatively new to the whole industry really so I am still learning what the judges are looking for.

 

So what will 2014 bring?????? That I can not reveal..... all I can say is that I have a plan in my head that hopefully like this year I will execute as stress free as this years entry has been and be just as happy with it..... You may even see my novelty entry in the 2014 show..... Maybe!!!