Cake International 2024

Last weekend saw me in Birmingham, receiving this very exciting Merit Award for my wedding cake entry to Cake International 2024! 

I had the best time not only displaying my cake but meeting so many other cake designers from all over the country, I made so many new friends so a big cheer for my Cake International crowd - I hope to see you all again next year.

For Cake International 2024 the brief for wedding cakes was that it must include two entirely handmade removable elements, so for non-cakers, that means no moulds, stencils or cutters can be used, just entirely freehand creations. To those of you who are cake designers, that probably sends a wave of horror over you, as it did me. 

I had just recently completed a cake for a brand shoot that really inspired me to push myself out of my comfort zone and apply at the eleventh hour and despite having a very full schedule the week leading up to Cake International. Many thought I was mad, and they were right, but nonetheless I persevered and created the above, transported it to London so I could enjoy our half term break, then high-tailed it to Birmingham to get the cake in the competition.

The cake that inspired me from my brand shoot.

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My entry to Cake International focused on two handmade elements, a handfasting rope and a Coupe de Mariage. 

The handfasting rope idea came to me whilst working as a registrar. I had recently married an old friend of 15 years, Tash, to her new husband, Andy and they had incorporated a handfasting ceremony into their legal ceremony.

My colours were inspired by their beautiful blue wedding, together with the old bridal adage of 'Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue'. 

La Coupe de Mariage is a traditional French 'cup of marriage' whereby the newlyweds drink from the cup to symbolise the union of two families becoming one. It is often an heirloom passed down through families and similar traditions can be found in Scottish, Irish and Jewish cultures so it felt right to create an element such as this that had meaning to so many cultures.

The Cake International judges particularly enjoyed the concept and colours of the cake and awarded me a Merit for my efforts. 

Now, I'm looking forward to January when the new schedule is released and I can start thinking about the next Cake International creation!