Kiwi Cake decorator - Rachel Jenkinson

Our latest profile in the Kiwi Cake Decorator's profile is Rachel Jenkinson. If you would like to be profiled here, please contact sandra@kiwicakes.co.nz

Your name & business name (if applicable). Any website, facebook page, blog etc: Rachel Jenkinson, hobbyist baker & decorator http://www.facebook.com/rachs-cakes#!/pages/Rachs-Cakes-Balclutha/142863472432177

How long have you been decorating? I have been interested in cake decorating ever since I was an “ankle biter”. My aunty is a cake decorator and I used to love looking through her Women’s Weekly cake books and picking the cakes I wanted for my birthday, so I have always been interested. Then about a year ago I thought I would seriously try and learn the art. I am self-taught so over that time I have been learning as I go, trying new things and practicing different techniques and slowly building up my “cake kit” as I go.

What is you favourite thing to bake & decorate – why? I love working with fondant because I love the polished, smooth look it gives, whereas trying to get buttercream smooth tends to stress me out! I really enjoy making cupcakes as I find them less stressful.

What got you started in baking/decorating? My passion for cake decorating started when I made a Dora the Explorer birthday cake for my little girl’s third birthday. She absolutely loved it!

What are your top 5 decorating tools you cannot live without? My rolling pin, tylose powder, my turntable that my lovely sister-in-law bought for me, my little shaping tools and my pizza cutter wheel – I don’t know what I would do without it!

What do you do when you’re not decorating? Eek, well with two littlies under four, working my “real job” for 34 hours a week, my duties as the treasurer and fundraising for our local toy library, I don’t get a lot of time for relaxing. But when I do I love to put my feet up, watch a DVD and have a glass of sauvignon blanc – ah, bliss!

What are some of your favourite creations you’ve created and why? My favourite cake to date would be this Dorothy the Dinosaur cake I made for a friend’s wee girl’s second birthday party. She wanted a girly, Dorothy themed cake and I was pleased she wasn’t after an exact copy of anything so I had some creative license. I was thrilled with the end result and how the Dorothy figure turned out – I was terrified the kids would be like “that’s not Dorothy”!

What is you favourite Cake, cookie, or cupcake flavour? I love Mississippi Mud Cake – its always so yummy and moist, it keeps really well and actually seems to get better with age, yum!

If you could have someone make a cake for you, what would it be like? That is a tough question, I have never really thought about it. I get to make my own 30th cake in June so it will give me something to think about LOL! I would love anything that somebody made for me because everything always tastes better when you don’t have to make it yourself LOL!

Rachel did you know, you have more posts than any other member in the Kiwicakes forum (including me). Tell me a little bit about your experiences of the forum.

Oh gosh, no I didn’t, where on earth do I find the time! Don’t tell my husband because he will expect me to start doing more housework! I was really excited when the forum started because it’s so great to have somewhere that is relevant to us kiwis. You can learn a lot from overseas forums but it’s great to have somewhere where we can talk about things that relate to us, such as New Zealand dollars, New Zealand ingredients etc. I probably have so many posts cos I joined up the first day you started it (LOL!) and also because I love to share everything, whether it’s my latest cakes or whether I am trying to help others out or just give them support. I think it’s awesome to be able to help each other out and share knowledge.

Satin Ice fondant is here in New Zealand!

SATIN ICE is a ready to roll fondant icing. It is available in White, Ivory, and Pre-coloured. All varieties have a lovely vanilla taste. There is also a dark chocolate flavour/colour. In New Zealand we also know this icing to be called under different brands or names

- Plastic Icing

- RTR Icing

- Pettinice

SATIN ICE also makes a Gum Paste (known as modelling paste or sugar flower paste in NZ) which sets hard.

The finest cake shops, bakeries and patisseries use Satin Ice products to complete their works of edible art...from birthday, wedding and special event and novelty cakes to cupcakes and cookies or as stand-alone sugar figurine displays.

Some of the world's renowned cake designers and sugar artists call Satin Ice their brand of choice for rolled fondant and gum paste. Satin products can be seen on a multitude of cable and satellite TV food shows such as "Ace of Cakes" (Food Network), "Cake Boss" (TLC), "Food Network Challenge", "Ultimate Cake Challenge" (TLC) and more. The finest cake shops, bakeries and patisseries use Satin Ice products to complete their works of edible art . . . from birthday, wedding and special event and novelty cakes to cupcakes and cookies or as stand-alone sugar figurine displays.

Zero grams trans fats, Zero grams Cholesterol

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free

Contains no animal-derived ingredients.

Certified Kosher Pareve

Made in the USA and are highly profitable to the baker.

Signature Features

The signature flavour is unmatched: Mellow, Smooth & Creamy NEVER chewy.

The chocolate fondant, with its "Tootsie aroma" and flavour, is a favourite.

Excellent elasticity when rolled out, easy to handle and seemingly unbreakable.

The satin-fine texture allows it to be rolled very thin.

Made in the USA, ensuring a fresh, consistent product.

Satin Ice is Certified kosher pareve, providing access to a broader market.

Dependable Performance

When modeling decorations, your pieces will dry just as you intended. Satin Ice will not overdry and crack.

Seals the cake, keeping it moist and fresh and increasing the shelf life of the cake.

Your finished cake may be refrigerated or frozen once covered.

Satin Ice exclusive Gum Paste formula adds even more decorative possibilities. Use alone or as an add-in to your Satin Ice fondant to create stronger pieces where you need them.

 

Click here for video Testimonials from Buddy Valastro (Cake Boss), Ron Ben-Israel, Anne Heap (Pink Cake Box) & more.

Click here for heaps of instructional "how to" videos from Satin Ice

Kiwicakes 5th birthday cake

Today the Kiwicakes 5th birthday cake arrived. And I love it! Stephanie had sent me some photos before she sent the cake.

Here's is all the hard work that went in to it.

Here is the lovely Stephanie.

It was delivered by our friendly fastway courier this morning, and it arrived in fantastic condition, thanks to the wonderful boxing & wrapping by Stephanie. (non slip mat in the box, on the base of the boxes bottom and clear wrapped in cellophane, so the couriers could see the wonderful masterpiece they were transporting.

Now I won't say it was a shame to cut it, I hear that far too much for my liking, cakes are made to be cut. Stephanie has spoiled us rotten with 5 flavours, at time of writing, I've only cut the giant cupcake portion of the cake (which Stephanie has very cleverly airbrushed the base with black, to give the illusion of being a cupcake paper.). What a feast for the eyes. Check out the Chocolate and vanilla striping.

Every which way you turned the cake, was a delight, with little hidden treasures at every angle.

I think the cake looks just like Stephanies sketch, she did a great job.

To view all of the entries in the Kiwicakes 5th birthday competition click here.

Kiwicakes 5th birthday cake competition winner



The winner of the 5th birthday cake competition is the above sketch by Stephanie Curnow. I love the 5 interlocking cakes, 1 for each year. I adore the side view sketh, that shows just how each cake is a work of art on it's own. I've been in touch with Stephanie and she will be baking this cake very soon!

Here's a sneak peak at the other entries. All entrants will receive their Kiwicakes voucher within the next week. We had one or two entries that were written without pics, these are not included here.

Just a little hint

My new website category is almost ready to launch. Here is just a little hint...............

St Patricks day cookies

A little St Patrick's day cheer, for all those in need of a pot of gold. With special thanks to The Whole Cake & Caboodle for this awesome cookie picture, using this cauldron cutter.

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Red Puppy Appeal

I received the details today for the Red Puppy Appeal, from one of our lovely Kiwicakes members. I couldn't wait to share this with you all.

‘Red Puppy Appeal 2’: Sanura Wheatley-Stewart (11) from Taupaki (left), Georgia Wheatley-Mahon (11) from Freemans Bay, Thomas Williams (4) from Farm Cove, Bronagh Key, and Ethan Garland (3) of Birkenhead.

Bake a Difference for the Red Puppy Appeal - Need greater than ever following Christchurch earthquake

This year’s Red Puppy Appeal is set to be sweeter than ever with the launch of Red Puppy Bikkie Day on Friday 1 April.

And the need has never been greater, with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) providing urgent and ongoing support to over 1,200 blind, deafblind and partially sighted members affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

“We are currently focusing a significant amount of time, resources and money to help our members and guide dogs affected in the Canterbury region,” says Sandra Budd, RNZFB Chief Executive.

“We have over 1,200 members in the area, including 40 guide dogs owners, some of whose dogs will need retraining as their usual routes and routines have changed dramatically.”

The 2011 Red Puppy Appeal, which is supported by the Prime Minister’s wife Bronagh Key, will run from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 April 2011, with Red Puppy Bikkie Day launching on the Friday 1 April. People can download materials and information from www.redpuppy.org.nz.

“We’re launching Red Puppy Bikkie Day this year to encourage individuals, schools and businesses to ‘bake’ a difference for our appeal,” says Ms Budd. “We’re inviting people to bake puppy-shaped biscuits and sell them for a donation to friends, family and colleagues.”

The funds raised by the Red Puppy Appeal will help the RNZFB continue its essential support work in Canterbury, as well as throughout the country.

Ms Budd says staff are working tirelessly to support the RNZFB’s members in the region, with specialist assistance needed to help working guide dogs and their owners.

“Extra staff members have flown into Christchurch – where they are camping in our local office – and visiting members to attend to urgent issues and to help plan for their orientation and mobility needs.

“The RNZFB receives no Government funding for Guide Dog Services so every dollar collected during the appeal counts and we hope that Red Puppy Bikkie Day will encourage people to support us,” says Ms Budd.

With the help of a RNZFB guide dog, those with little or no sight have greater freedom, confidence and independence. To become a RNZFB guide dog, puppies train for two years, pass 55 different tests and walk many thousands of steps.

During the appeal look out for RNZFB volunteers in bright red vests in your local area holding RNZFB collection buckets.

Go to www.redpuppy.org.nz to volunteer for the street appeal, register to hold a Red Puppy Bikkie Day event, or to make a donation.

Hazel Wheatley-Mahon (8) from Freemans Bay with Bronagh Key

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Kiwi Cake Decorator - Kirstin Fogarty

Tonight I profile Kirstin Fogarty of Magical Cakes - Auckland . If you'd like to be profiled in the Kiwi Cake decorator profile, please email me at sandra@kiwicakes.co.nz 

Kirstin's online - Flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/magicalcakes

Q: How long have you been decorating?

A: 8 years

Q: What is your favorite thing to bake & decorate – why?

A: Children's Novelty cakes covered with fondant – especially Debbie's Browns! ( I have 9 of her books, all autographed!)

Q: What got you started in baking/decorating?

A: 8 years ago when my daughter was a baby I had the top tier of our wedding cake recovered and decorated for her Christening by a professional cake decorator. I was a little disappointed in the cake and its finish and thought I could do a better job if only I knew how? So I enrolled at my local college and did 12 weeks of night classes to learn the basic skills. I loved it and from there on there was no stopping me! Creating my children's birthday cakes and family and friends cakes has been so much fun and I have learned a lot along the way!

Q: What are your top 5 decorating tools?

A: My Kenwood Major, small silicon rolling pin, ball tool, smoother and Wiltons large cake leveler.

Q: What do you do when you not decorating?

A: I am a Mum at home with 2 beautiful children and a busy husband who flies around the world a lot for work! I juggle the everyday running of the home, but I also love gardening and landscape design!

Q: What are some of your favorite creations you’ve created and why?

A: I love this circus tent cake that I created for my gorgeous nephew Sebastian on his first birthday, because the idea of circus animals popping their heads out of a tent was so cute and I loved the bright colours!

I love this cake by Peggy Porschen for its simplicity.

I also love Debbie Browns funky Fairy cake which I did at one of Debbie's workshops last year alongside Sandra!! I look at this cake and have fond memories of a very special day!

I made this little fairy cake for our builders laborer who worked tirelessly digging in the rain for a week during a renovation to our property! He mentioned his little girl was turning 2 shortly so it was a perfect way of me showing thanks! He was speechless!

I also like this recent Debbie Brown creation ‘Midnight Fairies’ from her Gorgeous and Gruesome book.( At last years workshop - we were lucky enough to have a sneak preview of it on Debbie's laptop before it was printed!)

Q: What is your favorite cake, cookie or cupcake?

A: White Chocolate & Baileys Mud cake. I love the subtle exotic flavor that keeps people guessing on the ingredients! Plus it is easy to stack and decorate and stays moist and fresh for a long time!

Q: If you could have someone to make a cake....

A: A two tiered round double barrel cake with 2 large peonies.

Q: Kirstin we met for the first time at a Debbie Brown workshop last year, I recall you telling me, you liked a more minimalist approach to things – is this how you’d describe the way you decorate?

A: Yes, but not a minimalist approach more of a ‘less is more.’ I don’t like to clutter a cake for the sake of it.( I found it hard adding so many daisies to the Funky Fairy cake!)

Purple Cake Day fun

We're having fun here for Purple Cake Day. I forgot to take a photo BEFORE the cupcakes started disappearing. We've got purple jellybeans for the kids. As well as the purple Rainbow Dust specials which run through on the website until 10pm tonight.

Have you ever tried brush embroidery?

This video from Wilton has inspired me to give it a go. Have you ever tried it?

Kiwi Cake Decorator - Suzie Toms

It's that time again! to profile another Kiwi Cake decorator. If you'd like to be featured here. Send me an email sandra@kiwicakes.co.nz.

Today I ask the questions of Suzie Toms. Suzie recently relocated to Cambridge from Devonport and lives there with her three boys.

Please give use details of your online sites (website, facebook page, blog etc); Suzie's Cake Creations, http://www.suziescakecreations.co.nz/  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/SuziesCakeCreations the Blog is coming soon!

How long have you been decorating? I have been making birthday cakes for friends and family for over 10 years and started Suzie's Cake Creations just under 2 years ago.

What is you favourite thing to bake & decorate – why? I love to make 3D Birthday cakes for children - especially for pre-school children who are always delighted to recognize their most favourite characters in cake!

What got you started in baking/decorating ? A desire to make great birthday cakes for my children.

What are your top 5 decorating tools you cannot live without? My ball tool, my rolling pin, my spatula, a good sharp knife and my sieve.

What do you do when you’re not decorating ? When I'm not decorating I'm spending time with my children, family and friends, keeping house, gardening, reading and watching movies.

What are some of your favourite creations you’ve created ? My Dragon cake - made for a 70th Birthday for a much loved grandmother who was always affectionately known as the dragon.

The Beatrix Potter Christening cake because of the huge satisfaction I felt with the creation of the characters.

And my first 3D Tigger cake because it was such a success!

What is you favourite Cake, cookie, or cupcake flavour? I love a good lemon madeira with white chocolate butter cream - delicious!

If you could have someone make a cake for you, what would it be like? It wouldn't matter what it was like because it was made for me and that doesn't happen very often!

You offer an edible image printing service, direct to the public - can you tell me a little about this and why you enjoy doing it? I've only just begun to offer edible images - http://suziesedibleimageservice.webs.com/ - I like to offer my clients and customers a full and professional service.

Stylish Blogger Award



Gosh I've received the "Stylish blogger award" and I've now to follow these instructions (Or goodness knows what will happen to me - sounds like fun though)

1) Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award

2) Share 7 things about yourself

3) Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers

4) Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

1) Thanks Bec from Stilleto Studio blog  Bec sends me great posts on what she's been up to, I've enjoyed reading her blog.

 

2) Well anyone who regularly reads this blog will know a lot about me already, so I'll give you the sort of info that I might almost call secret

1. I adore PASTA - I could eat it every night for dinner and never get sick of it, I particularly like it with pesto.

2. I was once upon a time a manufacturing jeweller.

3. I have an addiction for "Body Combat" a Les Mills exercise class.

4. Once of my favorite sweets is marzipan and anything to do with marzipan

5. I prefer to make sweet dishes, but when I cook I love to make fiddly things - like  hors d'oeuvre's or appetisers

6. My favourite flower is the Arum Lily

7. My favourite colour is green, I even had a green wedding dress, back as a spring chicken when I got married in 2000 at 24.

 

3. Wow awarding 15 recent blogger's (some might not end up being so recent.)

1. Monica from Delissimon - Many of you may remember Monica from "NZ's hottest home baker". Monica was actually one of my first commenter's way back when I started this blog, in the first few weeks, I think it was just me and Mon! We have regular cyber chats, I am glad she is in my life.

 

2. Flo from Flo's a Scrapin  Flo and I got to know each other, when Cricut Cake was released. Flo's knowledge of all things paper related in Cricut, opened my mind to what was possible in icing and then some. I 've learnt so much from Flo. 

 

3. Evelyn from Fun Decorating I'm loving the chance to showcase some of my customers blogs! - I enjoy checking out the latest creations here.

 

4. Nici from Nic Nac Noodle Nici is based in Taupo and  this could have been one of the seven things I could have told you about me.................. Nici and I flatted together in our youth for a few years, I still see Nici's mum and sister daily, as they work at the local Post office. Nici's party planning news and ideas are awesome. Her site is the one I go to, when my children consistently pick a theme I don't stock. Lately I've been loving her party food ideas.

 

5 Cakes by Anne another of my customers blogs. Anne runs cake decorating classes. We met at a recent conference, she's one fun lady, we often chat on the phone.

 

6. Sondra at Sweet Bites Cakes I love her novelty cake work, another lovely lady, I've had the pleasure of working with.

 

7. Vanessa at Bella Cupcakes Her blog has recently had a makeover. Many of you will be familiar with her work. Her work is unparalleled in my mind. If I was getting married (already did that - I would order my cake from Vanessa)

 

8. Glory from Glorious Treats does amazing things with cookies & cakes. She plans stunning parties and her floristry is awesome. I have in the past commented on Glory's facebook, flickr & blog. But she's such a popular lady, I'm but one of her many fans. Glory is very generous with her time, ideas and free printables she creates & shares.

 

9. Haniela from Haniela's food & photography she has in the past very kindly permitted me to share some of her tutorials with you all here on my blog. Her amazing photos always accompany her generous tutorials, you could learn alot from Haniela.

 

10.  Delish Cupcakes Colleen and Kathryn are two awesomely awesome girls who work together over on the North Shore (Auckland). Get yourself over there for one of their wonderful creations that change daily.

11. Bullrush Chocolates - these girls make everything sound like fun (even when they are not having fun)

12. Baking for Hospice Because I admire the amazing work they do and there never ending enthusiam for helping others (due to the nature of this blog - I won't be able to get them to particpate in this project -as the blog is showcasing the baking only)

13. Mrs A. in the Cove an amazing blog I admire for her dessert tables. Every time I view them, I want an excuse to make one.

14. Sequin Corner Cakes Kasey, yet another Kiwicakes member, I just sneaked a look and she has a great tutorial just listed recently. Kasey recently was drawn to have her photo showcased int he Kiwicakes newsletter.

15.Tales from a Cafe chick I enjoy reading this blog immensely, always humourous, sometimes thought provoking. Even better for those in Wellington, as great eats tips are often given away.

Kiwicakes 5th birthday

It's that time again! - Kiwicakes is turning 5. And we're running our annual birthday cake competition. Click here to see details of the 3rd birthday cake winner and here for the 4th birthday winner. I strongly encourage all past entrants to enter again, as when I think back on all the entries, it is with fond memories. I would have been proud to have any of the entries, as the winning cake.

I'm asking anyone interested to design a birthday cake for Kiwicakes 5th birthday party. Your cake should echo what you feel epitomises Kiwicakes. Your design ideas can be sent to me in any form, for example, a sketch or even a photo of a previous cake you've made, feel free to add written notes describing how you might alter the cake from your photo, or what elements in your sketch represent. The winner will be required to bake & decorate the winning design.

Be sure to include what flavour(s) the cake will be and the approximate size of finished cake.

Where to send it

You can email your ideas to me at sandra@kiwicakes.co.nz or post to me snail mail at Kiwicakes, Po Box 4441, Kamo, Whangarei. Entries close March 31st 2011. Please include your telephone number with your entry.

The details

There are no design limitations for your cake, you can make it as big or as small as you like. However there is a limit of $50 for cake ingredients. I felt by limiting the cost of ingredients, this would allow design talent to shine through, rather than lots of expensive ingredients. The winner will be reimbursed for ingredients, to the value of $50

The winner will be required to make bake & decorate the winning design, during the month of April, at a time to suit them. I will then arrange for the cake to be collected from their home town for delivery to Kiwicakes.

I'll be loading the entries to the Kiwicakes blog (without the entrants names - so you can all remain anonymous) so that anyone interested can check them out.

Terms & Conditions - Kiwicakes 5th birthday competition

Prize is $500 worth of cake decorating supplies, chosen by Kiwicakes - delivered to the winner, at a destination within NZ. Prize is not exchangeable for cash.

Winner is required to bake and decorate the winning design during the month of April 2011 to receive their prize.

Cost of ingredients up to the value of $50 will be reimbursed by Kiwicakes.

Competition is open to all residents of New Zealand (pick up address for cake must be within New Zealand).

The winner agrees to their name & photo of cake being used for publicity purposes.

Entrants designs will be loaded to the KiwicakesNZ blog.

Winner will be posted to Kiwicakes blog and will feature in a future edition of the Kiwicakes newsletter.

Entries close March 31st 2011

Ingredients substitutions

An awesomely handy chart to have - from the people at the Chelsea Sugar Company

Self-raising flour 1 cup self-raising flour = 1 cup plain flour + 1½ teaspoons baking powder.

Butter 250g butter = the same quantity of margarine or 7/8 cup of oil (if recipe required melted butter).

Egg 1 whole egg = 2 egg yolks + 1 tablespoon water.

Caster sugar place white sugar in a food processor and pulse for approximately 1 minute until the grains are finer.

Dark Brown Sugar 1 cup Dark Brown Sugar = 1 cup Caster Sugar + ¼ cup Treacle or Golden Syrup.

Soft Brown Sugar 1 cup Soft Brown Sugar = 1 cup Caster Sugar + 2 Tbsp Golden Syrup.

Milk 1 cup blue or light blue milk = ½ cup water + ½ cup evaporated milk or cream. Alternatively use soy milk.

Buttermilk 1 cup buttermilk = ½ cup plain non-fat yoghurt + ½ cup milk.

Sour cream 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar stirred through and allowed to stand for 5 minutes to sour.

Baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder = ¼ teaspoon baking soda + ½ cup buttermilk or sour milk and reduce the liquid in the recipe by half.

Cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornstarch = 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.

Lemon juice small amounts of lemon juice e.g. 1 teaspoon can be substituted with vinegar. 1 tsp lemon juice = ½ teaspoon vinegar.

Honey 1 cup honey = 1 cup & 2 Tbsp of sugar + ¼ cup of the same liquid used in the recipe.

Unsalted butter – many US and UK recipes call for unsalted butter. You can buy unsalted butter in NZ, however regular butter (salted) is fine to use in your recipes.

Shortening 1 cup shortening = 1 cup butter or margarine.

Cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon = ½ teaspoon ground all spice.

All Spice 1 teaspoon all spice = ½ teaspoon ground cloves + ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Photo updates for Purple Cake Day

I thought you might enjoy seeing some photos from this weekend past of the purple cupcakes, that were created for Purple Cake Day. Each weekend Purple cupcakes are being created and sold in Nelson, culminating in Purple Cake Day March 1st. For more details go to the Purple Cake Day website. I'm proud to be the one responsible for all the lovely volunteers being covered in Rainbow Dust glitter.

I'm busy planning my own Purple Cake Day celebrations. At the moment I'm thinking purpe Rain cupcakes (like the cocktail)