A Behind-the-Scenes Look at this Year's International Cake Show
My Nomination
The first time I was nominated to display a cake at the International Cake Show Australia, I didn't even make it as a finalist. But I was amazed - and honoured - to be nominated for the category I was in. This year I was nominated a second time, and I was so nervous, but also excited and ready to take on a new challenge if I got through.
Soon after my nomination came the announcement of the ten finalists, and to my surprise, I was one of them. All ten finalists were tasked with creating a wedding cake that was inspired by George Wu Couture wedding gown. It also had to represent your own style as a cake artist and decorator, and it had to be at least 1 metre in height. For months, I worked on my design, figuring out how it would look and how I would get it to Brisbane (in tact) and put it all together before it would be seen by thousands of people and be judged for a People's Choice. The pressure was on I tell you!
Heading to Brisbane
I cannot tell you how quickly time passed from nomination to finalist to the actual show. The show was held in Brisbane from 12 to 14 April, so the Wednesday prior, my husband, Guy, and I loaded the car with my precious cargo and started the 10 hour drive from Blackwater to Brisbane, with cake all over the back seat.
We arrived at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre at 4pm and unloaded the car on to a trolley and wheeled everything up to the kitchen area. Here, the lovely Mary from ACADA had set up a table for me to be able to do the finishing touches on my design. Once that was done, I was able to take my creation to the Haute Couture Wedding Marquee where Alysia Bridger from Alysia Bridger Events Brisbane had created the backdrop and space for our Wedding Cake designs. Guy and I only left the Convention Centre at 11pm that night, and I was back the following day at 6am to finish up the last few little pieces of construction and design.
Then it was show time.
Judging, Doors Opening, Hands-on Workshops, and More
The judges arrived at the Exhibition Centre at 10am on Thursday 11 April, the day before the Show opened up to the public. My category was judged by industry professionals that day, followed by public voting on the Friday and Saturday.
It was amazing to see my creation alongside all of the others made by some of the biggest cake artists in the industry. It was an absolute career highlight for me.
On Friday the 12th, the doors opened to the public, and I spent that day mostly helping out as an assistant on the demo stages, including the main baking stage. I also had the opportunity to meet and help out the lovely Maggie from Adelaide Bakes, Mel from Mel the Happy Chef (who also owns Vanilla Zulu Cooking School) in Brisbane, and Alex from Save Me Some Sweets in Melbourne. I also got to help out behind the scenes with classes, helping Mary and making ganache with Zoe from Zoe Clark Cakes (a total fan-girl moment for me). I also got to meet all of the Cake Celebrities from within our industry. Yep, we have Celebrities in the cake world too.
The Cake Oscar Gala Aight
- Terresia Welch from Lyon Dens Cakes – Haute Couture Wedding Cake Designer of the Year 2024 – Adelaide
- Zoe Clark from Zoe Clark Cakes – Sunshine Coast
- Marina Machado from Marina Machado Cakes – Gold Coast
- Suri Tuan from Matsuri Patisserie Le Brissy – Brisbane
- Dianna Llanos from The Sweet Society Co – Brisbane
- Katie Young from Katie Young’s Cakes – Brisbane
- Faye Cahill from Faye Cahill Cake Designer – Sydney
- Helen Hatzaras from Blissful Inspirations Cakes - Melbourne
- Ekat Sallinger from Ekats Couture Cakes – Brisbane
