Last minute trader and a great demo

A new trader - Where is my Cake will be at the Cakeriffic expo. Where is My Cake sells “Cake on Board” signs for cake decorates for the back of their cars.

Thermomix will be doing demo's at their booth - just quick things, yes quick, 'cause it's in the Thermomix!

How to make your own fondant in the Thermomix, Royal Icing, Buttercream Icing, custard, ganache, hot chocolate & CADA (fresh muesli) to start each day at 10.00am. 
They'll be doing 2 of these things every hour, on the hour, all for the tasting.
Woohoo!

Lots of last traders for Cakeriffic.

Oops - went away for the weekend and didn't get back until midday yesterday.

We're all flat out like lizards drinking here at the Cakeriffic office so I'm going to finish the blogroll of traders for the Cakeriffic expo which as you know starts on Friday.


First up we have Skat Katz. These guys come to all our papercraft shows with their cutting/embossing machines and apart from paper, these machines also cut and print on icing sheets.  
Skat Katz are the Australian distributor of Edible Inks and  
Photofrost Icing sheets which come in A4 sheets.  Lucy and Fred will demonstrate the print and cut features of their machines using Photofrost Icing Sheets and edible inks, for which they are the Australian distributor.

I'm looking forward to sampling the cupcakes from Sweetest Obsession. Mum of three, Amanda has stalls at markets and is baking furiously for the Cakeriffic expo. She has a passion for baking and decorating and makes multi-flavoured cupcakes like Red velvet, ferrero (wonder what that is), peanut butter, cookie dough and mint. Can't wait!

Wendy Mazzella started The Cake Connection in 1989 in Mt Evelyn (my town too.) and has not looked back. Wendy and her staff do all sorts of celebration cakes as well as classes and also sell cake decorating supplies.
They specialise in hand crafted sugar art such as flowers, bride and groom and anything their customers think of.
In October 2012 they developed Endless Creations flower modelling paste and will be demonstrating this product at the expo.

I have hosted a Thermomix demonstration and was very impressed with it. As it says in their promotional blurb: Thermomix can chop, beat, emulsify, mix, mill, knead, blend, cook, stir, steam, weigh and melt! 
Alison is the rep who will be presenting Thermomix at the expo. By the way - guys love this high-tech machine so if they feel a bit like they have been dragged along, make sure you get them to the Thermomix stand.

The Chef's Toolbox - yep, I've also hosted a demonstration of these products. In fact I've had three demonstrations. I love love love their pans. Just brilliant. I have several and my friend Janita said to me the other day that she wishes she'd had them years ago.
Tiana will be showing their range of baking products at the expo and can organise a demonstration in your home (this is a good thing because you get to eat the yummy food that she makes!).

Tops for Cakes make cake toppers from acrylic. They do numbers, letters, brides& grooms - in fact anything you can think of and will personalise a cake topper to your preference. They also do simple but elegant cake stands.

There will be two cake decorating clubs at the Cakeriffic expo:

 The Victorian Cake Decorating Society Inc

and 

The Cake Decorators Association of Victoria Inc.

The VCDS is a non-profit organization which formed in November 1990 to promote the art of cake decorating to all Victorians. They have regular workshops, demonstrations and displays throughout the year at their meeting halls and also at libraries and craft shows.  

They also participate in various fundraising activities.

The CDAV is another non-profit organisation which looks to further cake decorating across the state. They have 23 branches located throughout Victoria and the Melbourne metropolitan area, with 900 members.

Cakeriffic expo this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Caulfield Racecourse.

I hope you can come along and join in the excitement!

Trader lineup for Friday

Today's roundup of traders for the Cakeriffic expo includes My Cake Delights and the inimitable John Quai Hoi.

John and the team at My Cake Delights do lots of beautiful cakes as well as supplying many great products for your own cake decoorating. They also hold classes and often have international cake makers as guest teachers.

John is one of our guest demonstrators and there will also be demonstrations at their stand.

MSA Commercial Catering have been supplying equipment to the catering industry for some time. Ted who is the manager there has seen the need for locally made cake boards that don't cost the earth and recommended by the Cake Decorators Association of Victoria Inc.

Party on Mercer is another of those niche businesses that we love. These guys can organise your party - everything from the venue to hire requirements to decorations.

They also make lots of stuff including unique edible cupcake wrappers - yes you read correctly - edible! And they do fondant lace decorations and edible butterflies (gotta get me some of these). Check out their facebook page.

Pure Heart Bulk Foods are a small family business specialising in alternative and organic cake ingredients and supplies. Their stand is sure to generate interest with the awareness of allergies and the move to better eating.

Have a great day everyone.

Cakeriffic traders lineup.

More traders for Cakeriffic:

Established in 2010 Crafty Cakes are based on the Mornington Peninsula and offer a big range of products for cake decorators from beginner to advanced.
They also do classes and often have international teachers.

Floral Art & Sugarcraft supply an extensive range of decorating equipment to make lifelike flowers using sugar paste or cold porcelain for use on cakes, in bridal bouquets and table arrangements. 

They also do classes and Stella will be demonstrating at the Cakeriffic expo.

When we first started contacting businesses about the Cakeriffic expo, Amanda Pitt from Iced Moments was the first to understand the vision of the expo and book in. 

Amanda lives in the beautiful Yarra Valley and sources her ingredients locally where possible.

Learn Cake Decorating Online has an impressive line-up of cake artists who share various cake decorating techniques and tips in a series of fantastic online classes. They have two new tutorials each month as well as downloadable ebooks.

Little Bits are primarily a papercraft store who have cottoned on to the fact that there are a lot of things you can do with fondant, edible metallic powders and other cake products using tools that they have in their store. Lesley and her team will show you how to use rubber stamps on fondant to make some unique decorations.

More tomorrow.

COMPETITIONS AT CAKERIFFIC!

COMPETITIONS AT THE CAKERIFFIC EXPO.
All our competitions are free to enter.

Competition number 1: BIG PRIZE DRAW

There are 3 big big prizes to win!
These are full of all sorts of things from fondant to moulds to baking pans (even hundreds and thousands)!

It's easy-peasy to enter. You just need to come along to the expo, fill in a form and pop it in the barrel.

Winners drawn at around 2.30pm on Sunday by none other than Sara Jane from The Great Australian Bake Off. 

No you don't have to be present for the draw, all winners for this prize draw will be notified and we will need to organise pick up of your prize should you be one of the lucky winners.

Thanks to our sponsors for these prizes:

Competition number 2: COMPETITION CAKE WALL.


Bring along your photos of cakes you've made, to put on our wall.
Photos must be in a clear cellophane baggie so that everyone can see them and we'll attach them to the Competition Cake Wall with velcro dots.

You must put your name, mobile/phone number and email address on the back of the entry.

You can enter as many times as you like and there are 3 categories:
1. Under 16 kids cakes (made by kids under 16, not cakes that are made for kids!)
2. Amateur home baker cakes - made for friends and family and not for profit.
3. Professional - bakes for profit.

The cakes will be judged by the special guest presenters.
The judges decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. 
Winners will be notified to arrange collection of their prizes.

So start taking those happy cake snaps or dig out some from the archives and have a go!


Competition number 3: LUCKY DOOR PRIZES

Our traders are donating some awesome stuff for lucky door prizes.
Every paying person will receive a ticket. 
Hang on to it because you may be a winner! 
You must be present for these prizes.

More expo traders

Continuing with our line-up for the Cakeriffic expo.

Cakes 'n' Supplies by Ximena are coming all the way from Florida for the Cakeriffic expo.

Their online store stocks lots of products including these 

cute-as baby molds and extra large curly alphabet cutters 

(I hope she brings lots of those - I want!)

Ximena is bringing a range of products with her and they do ship worldwide from the website.

 

Choice Cakes are based near me in Chirnside Park, Victoria. These guys do everything - sell cake decorating products, make and decorate cakes and also hold regular classes (planning to attend one of these when "spare time" presents!).

The second picture is from one of the courses to learn how to make chocolate ganache, curls and collars to create a chocolatey masterpiece (YUM! I'm in!)

Jackie Thompson of Contemporary Cakes and Classes is coming down from Brisbane for the expo. She and her family emigrated from England 9 years ago and following a successful cake business in the UK Jackie had to re-start her cake-making business here in Australia.


She makes and bakes all her own cakes and does not source from a bakery. Jackie also teaches cake decorating classes and will be at the expo to promote her new decorating and baking book.

Competition and traders

COMPETITION at Cakeriffic expo.

Hi everyone,

as mentioned earlier we have some fantastic prizes to give away.

There are lucky door prizes, 3 big big prizes, spot prizes and now we've decided to run a competition as we have even more great stuff to give away. All these competitions are free to enter.

We're having a "Competition Cake Wall" and here's what you need to do to enter:

Bring along your photos of cakes you've made to put on our wall. 

Photos should be that usual size of around 10cm (4inches) x 15cm (6inches) - A6

Photos must be in a clear cellophane baggie so that everyone can see them and we'll attach them to the Competition Cake Wall with velcro dots.

You must put your name, mobile/phone number and email address on the back of the entry.

You can enter as many times as you like and there are 3 categories:

1. Under 16 kids cakes (made by kids under 16, not cakes that are made for kids!)

2. Amateur home baker cakes - made for friends and family and not for profit.

3. Professional - bakes for profit.

The cakes will be judged by the special guest presenters.

The judges decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

So start taking those happy cake snaps or dig out some from the archives and have a go!

Important note: if you would like your photos back, please put a stamped self-addressed envelope in the back of the cellophane baggie.

First up on our trader list for today is Bella Cake Art.

Kelley a boutique cake artist specialising in bespoke cakes. She also makes cupcakes, toppers and edible images.

Blackwood Lane have a big range of fantastic products for cake decorators from tools and equipment to boards and fondant. 

They also run classes at their Oakleigh store.

Check out their website for some interesting savoury recipes as well as their range of products.

Cakes Around Town are a big online store with lots of great products. They are bringing a truckload of stock to the expo.

They have also very generously donated a Dinkydoodle Designs airbrush which will be part of the prizes at the Cakeriffic expo.

More tomorrow.

Cakeriffic lineup

Good Monday Morning,
this week we'll be showcasing the traders and special guest demonstrators who are coming to the Cakeriffic expo.

Most of our traders sell supplies - fondants, tools, cake boards, tins etc. however we do have a few who are cake decorators.
Some of our traders are giving demonstrations of products and techniques and we'll tell you about then as we go along over the next 2 weeks in the countdown to the expo.

Starting the ball rolling with Verusca Walker who is our very special guest at the Cakeriffic expo.
We are grateful to Bake Boss who are sponsoring Verusca at the Cakeriffic expo.
If you have never seen Verusca's work then you are in for a treat. From handbags to high heels to Mr. Men - she has tackled them all! Yes these are cakes I'm talking about!
Here's a few samples of Verusca's work:

Verusca will be demonstrating some techniques from her handbag, high heels and figurines classes.

You'll be able to see her in action at the following times:

Friday 2nd August 10.15am - 11.45noon

Friday 2nd August 2.15pm - 4.00pm

 

Saturday 3rd August 10.45am - 12.15pm

Saturday 3rd August 2.15pm - 3.45pm

Sunday 4th August 11.15am - 12.45pm

*NOTE - Demonstrations are subject to alteration at management's discretion.

Our first trader is A Slice from Heaven. Marianne is a qualified baker and pastry cook who has three children.
She's started a home business and loves to make cakes for any occasions. She also makes cupcakes, cookies and sugar craft figurines and flowers.

If you want a personalised photo or image on your cakes or cookies she can also produce edible images.

Amazing Cupcakes & Treats.

Simone will be demonstrating different ways to decorate cupcakes at the expo. She's currently working hard on getting her website finished and as soon as we know the address we'll pass it on.

As mentioned above Bake Boss will be at the Cakeriffic expo.   

They'll be bringing a few things from their massive range of products and they also hope to demonstrate something special at their stand.

More traders and special guest info tomorrow.

Elephants on a stick.

I have a bit of a special liking for cake pops, so continuing my elephant theme I've found these fantastic ones:

From the Cake Pop Princess (great name):

From OC Pop Shoppe (while there check out their cute-as caterpillar cake pops)

That's about all I could find for cake pops so here's a couple of ideas for elephant cupcakes.

From Plumeria Cake Studio:

And from the Cupcake Blog. 

I like this neat solution of doing just the heads.

I've come to the realisation that I'm going to be way busy in my "spare time" doing all these things - that spare time will be sometime after mid-October I reckon.

lucky cookie elephants

I love the gold decoration on these elephant cookies found at Shaadi Curry and made by Baked.

And trunks up means good luck.

Sugar Mama Cookies made these for a baby shower and I like the way she's done the 2 shades of pink icing and then swapped them around:

These next elephant cookies are very lucky - look at those trunks - and I love their simple childish shapes. These are from Heavenly Bites Cakes.

Wilton has this elephant head cookie which is another option instead of the whole body.

You gotta love these colourful Indian elephants from the Marry Me wedding blog. Here's what they say about elephants and Indian weddings:

Elephants are considered to be very sacred and symbolize good luck and prosperity; hence they are usually a part of most Indian weddings. 

Elephants were a must at royal weddings in olden times and kings and Nawabs used to ride on elephants to their wedding venues to symbolize their power.

I hope an elephant crosses your path today for good luck!