Monday, September 29, 2008

A reason to celebrate

Although I have received several inquiries in recent years for wedding cakes, this three-tiered classically elegant cake for my friend Patricia is the first request that I have accepted. The vanilla cake with lemon curd and lemon buttercream barely fit into my refrigerator and relegated my usual array of fruits, veggies, and meat (a.k.a. breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to a second-class position. Now I know with certainty that the largest cake I can currently make at home is for 100 servings.


Making the cake was the easy part even though the more simple the design, the more flawless it must be. What followed gave me chest pain. As some of you may know, I am a 100 pound weakling who has gained some muscle mass since entering professional pastry; however, cake for 100 people is heavy, its filling is heavy and the rolled fondant making it all pretty is heavy. The delivery and final assembly gave me and my normally imperturbable husband more stress than anticipated.


Moreover, to witness the cake's destruction as it laid slaughtered on the dessert buffet table caused a brief apneic spell, which eventually passed upon learning that people enjoyed the cake's lemony goodness. Nonetheless, I am proud of the final result and honoured to be even a small part of Patricia and Chris' wedding celebration.


The best part of the evening was seeing all my medical school friends together. Although I do not miss the clinical demands of medicine, I certainly miss the comradery of medical school, the result of shared stressors combined with shared successes. Despite my mixed feelings about the original path I took in life, the experience is irreplaceable simply because of the wonderful people which I met along the way. Congratulations Patricia and Chris!

12 comments:

Jenny Y said...

Hi! I'm here via TasteSpotting. I must say, you do beautiful work. Your header caught my eye.

I'm a college senior at the moment, and I'm at a juncture where I am deciding between going into medicine and doing something I enjoy, or becoming a pastry chef and doing something I love.

Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your career change? I feel like I could benefit greatly from what you'd have to offer, but of course, I completely understand if you'd rather not.

Thanks for your time,
W!W

Jenny Y said...

Whoops, that somehow came out wrong. High school Sr! Going to college!

My Sweet & Saucy said...

Your cake turned out GORGEOUS! Congratulations!

Big Boys Oven said...

this is awesomely gorgeous!

Helene said...

That's exactly the kind of wedding cakes I like to do: for friends, simple and elegant.
Masterpiece!

Anonymous said...

Wow that's really beautiful! I don't know if I like this one more or the Tiffany inspired one more! How much would this cake have cost if you charged a non-friend???

Anonymous said...

From one Charmaine to another Charmaine.........had a look at your cake and I think it is stunning!! Going to do a chocolate wedding cake with flowers, in October, that is why I had a look at your cake. Love the way you arranged your flowers, they look beautiful

Kana said...

I just bought a huge cake decorating kit a month ago and have been having lots of fun playing around with the tips and icing cupcakes and cakes. LOVE the cake - very elegant.

Melissa said...

Found you via Tastespotting - absolutely beautiful!!

Maggie Mae said...

As the mother of the groom, I can attest to the beauty of Patricia and Chris' wedding cake. It was a shame to cut, but worth it as the cake was delicious.

Many thanks Charmaine,
Margaret

Charmaine said...

Margaret: Thank you so much for your kind words. It was a lovely celebration and I was honoured to be a part of such an important day for you and your family. Best regards.

Rose said...

That cake is so beautiful! I am in awe!