San Diego Cake Competition
I just got back home from the San Diego Cake Competition last night. Not only that it was stressful, it was also fun. Gosh, I’m glad it’s over–I won Best of Show! Here is my main entry.
I had to travel this cake stacked for 5 hours. Yes, it was nerve-wracking and super cold (we had to turn the AC on high the whole trip) and raining. I also brought my dog, 6 gigantic boxes, plus a week worth of luggage. Not to mention, we were driving a 98 Honda Civic–yes, we had to take the passenger’s seat off. I can already imagine the 18 hour drive to the Oklahoma Sugar Art Show…oh my.
Anyways, I incorporated my signature buds and birds (again) on this cake. Don’t be surprised, the magazine cake also had a similar look. Hehe, I’ll make sure my next cake won’t have any of those. The standing trellis were made by rolling a rectangular piece of gumpaste and punching out squares using a square cutter. I let it dry on a curve (I used a dummy) and then filed the edges. The lace appliques were molds I got from Jennifer Dontz while the stripes were done with a ribbon cutter from Sharon Zambito. One of the most time consuming part was covering the cake in fondant. It literally took me 12 hours to cover and recover all the tiers. I was being so meticulous that I made sure every square inch was smooth.
This year, there were celebrity judges from the Food Network Challenges, TLC’s Ultimate Cake Off, WE TV’s Amazing Wedding cakes and other Master Sugar Artists. I was pleased with their comments on my cake, saying that it was flawless and clean.
In the end, it was all worth it. I am still surprised I won! I can’t believe it!
To see some of the cakes from the competition, check out Casey Wither’s amazing shots.
Tip of the day:
Don’t have a scrub pad to clean your dirty pans? Use scrunched up foil instead.
1. Jessica @ How Sweet
March 10th, 2010
Congrats! That cake is amazing.
2. Allison
March 10th, 2010
Hey Rylan it’s me Allison, That cake is stunning, Congrats you deserv it. are you still on Cake Central.
3. Cindy
March 10th, 2010
OMGoodness…..I think that cake is literally PERFECT! Congratulations on the win, you definately deserved it!! It’s simply stunning!
4. 5 Star Foodie
March 10th, 2010
Wow, congratulations! The cake is absolutely gorgeous, totally deserves the best in show award!
5. zarpandit
March 10th, 2010
this cake’s awesome! and beatiful..i very very very much like your style
)
6. Jacqueline
March 10th, 2010
Congratulations Rylan!! Wow! Best in Show! What a beautiful cake and design…no wonder you won!! Sounds like you had a great trip to San Diego…looking forward to hearing more about it! I just got back from classes with Ron Ben Israel – can’t wait to show you some of the flowers! Your cake is stunning!! So happy for you!
7. Koko
March 10th, 2010
Stunning, stunning, stunning. And Congratulation, once again! I have been asked to make a wedding cake for this summer, and I’m looking for inspiration everywhere, as I haven’t made one before! I love the lattice idea.
8. Donatella
March 10th, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Rylan! It’s wonderful!! All the cake is a piece of art!! Love, love…& LOVE IT ALL!!!
Donatella
9. Mimi
March 10th, 2010
Beautiful and amazing! Great details! Congrats!
Hey, I just purchased 2 of Martha’s punchers for an upcoming cake…any tips on how they work best?
FlourPots@CC
10. Thao
March 10th, 2010
That is one beautiful cake!!!!! Wonderful Job and Congratulations!!!!!! Soak it in and enjoy your hard work. I can see why you won. Congratulations again!
11. Sasha
March 10th, 2010
Congrats! This is truly a work of art : )
12. leslie
March 10th, 2010
I love love love the simplicity of your cake..even though it is anything but simple! Does that make sense???lol
13. Gera @ SweetsFoodsBlog
March 10th, 2010
This cake is absolutely outstanding, congrats for you!! I’d love this sweet “job”
Cheers,
Gera
14. Nancy Smith
March 10th, 2010
Rylan, It is so beautiful. I’m glad you won! I look forward to each cake!
15. doggybloggy
March 10th, 2010
congrats on the best of show – I can only imagine what the 5 hour trip must have been like – wow!
16. badang
March 10th, 2010
really magnificent superb fabulous and very regal
17. Elizabeth Strehl
March 10th, 2010
Beautiful! I’m proud of you.
18. Barbara
March 10th, 2010
Best in Show??? Congratulations, Rylan! So exciting! And your cake is exquisite!
Was that Kerry woman judging? I think she can be a stinker.
However did you keep all your balls in the air during that car ride? Cake boxes, a dog, luggage and you!
19. Mimi
March 10th, 2010
Congratulation. That is a gorgeous cake.
Mimi
20. Alicia
March 10th, 2010
Such a gorgeous cake – congratulations!
21. OysterCulture
March 10th, 2010
Congrats on the win – well deserved. this cake is absolutely beautiful. I love the simplistic monotone elegance with a touch of whimsy.
I have no idea how you maintained your sanity driving in a car with your very fragile work. I salute you.
So glad it was all worth all the hard work!
22. So Spiffy (Girl Japan)
March 10th, 2010
No wonder you won.. look at that beauty and perfection, it must have taken hours on end.. Congrats darling.
23. Lisa
March 10th, 2010
Congratulations! This cake is stunning, I love everything about it.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
http://www.palepinkandroses.typepad.com
24. noobcook
March 10th, 2010
congratulations on the win! and a big win at that, your cake looks amazing!
25. Reeni
March 10th, 2010
Congratulations on your win! And for getting the cake there! I’m not surprised that you won. It’s breathtaking!
26. megan
March 10th, 2010
Congratulations! That’s very impressive. But looking at your cake, it’s no wonder you won – that cake looks incredible!
27. anncoo
March 10th, 2010
Congratulations! This is very stunning and impressive!
28. Katrina
March 10th, 2010
That is absolutely beautiful. It looks perfect!
29. Angie@Angie's Recipes
March 10th, 2010
Congratulations! I am so impressed with your artwork!
30. Rosa
March 11th, 2010
Wow, it is stunning! No wonder you won Best of Show! congratuéations.
Cheers,
Rosa
31. Sophie
March 11th, 2010
Congrats on winning!! Yeah!! You do us proud!! hahahaha,….
A stunning & fabulous presnetation too!
32. Trissa
March 11th, 2010
Rylan! This is just incredible – It is just so beautiful – and despite all the inconvenience getting there – you made it and won the prize!!! Congratulations and can’t wait to see more of your creations! Are we going to see you in a baking show on TV soon??
33. kelly
March 11th, 2010
Oh !! It´s amazing !! So clean,so elegant..so you!!
perfect design Rylan
When I gow up I wanna be just like you !!
34. Sandra
March 11th, 2010
Congrats.on your win,beautiful to look at.Could you tell me what you used between the tiers,and whats covering them.
Thanks.
35. pigpigscorner
March 11th, 2010
Congrats! This is beautiful! So simple, clean and elegant. I always wonder how they transport such tall cakes. I have this phobia that they’d topple.
36. Petra
March 11th, 2010
Congratulations Rylan! The cake is just PURE PERFECTION. A stunning work of art!!! And I love the description of the method… very informative, creative and interesting. I can’t wait to see your next wonderful cakes.
37. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
March 11th, 2010
Simply breathtaking! Really, you are so talented! Congratulations on winning best in show! I can’t imagine anything better than this creation!
38. Vanessa
March 11th, 2010
I’m speechless – such a beautiful cake, such hard work and talent and astonishing that you were able to transport it safely. I’m not sure my nerves would have held up. One of the loveliest cakes I’ve ever seen – congratulations!
39. Peggy
March 11th, 2010
Beautiful! Simply perfection!!! Congratulations!
40. Christine @ Fresh Local and Best
March 11th, 2010
Congratulations on the San Diego Cake Competition! You are a cake celebrity! All of your cakes are elegant and stunning. I can’t believe you drove 5 hours with the cake stacked!!! What a trip that must have been! Thanks for the tip on the foil!
41. amy
March 11th, 2010
Congrats Rylan, you deserve it! The cake is indeed flawless, so neat! The love birds are so adorable, I wonder I could sculp one like yours?
42. Mayen
March 12th, 2010
WOW! I am so proud !!!!! way to go my friend! I am not surprised though
I knew you’d win !!! got to share this news !!!
43. Nat
March 12th, 2010
Beautiful site and great work! Can’t wait to see more..
44. Lynette
March 12th, 2010
Your cake is exquisite…just the style I love! Did you put two layers of fondant on it??? and did you cut out the top lattice with gumpaste? Congtats on your win!
45. Letsgetcaking
March 12th, 2010
Congratulations, Rylan! It’s a beautiful cake!
46. sophia
March 13th, 2010
Holy cow…that must be just the most beautiful and well-crafted cake I’ve EVER seen. It’s too gorgeous to eat!!! And man, to travel with that exquisite beauty…it must certainly have been nerve-wrecking!!
47. pierre
March 13th, 2010
hy rylan I ma so proud to know you !! congratulations for this master piece gosh! I am in awe !
48. QueenLeilani
March 14th, 2010
Hey Rylan…
Congratulations! I’m so proud of you. I tell you all the time how fabulous your work is and you need to have your own shop! I can’t wait to see your work on tv and magazines.
Love ya! Arlene
49. Shannon @ bakeandbloom.com
March 15th, 2010
This is so beautiful, I can’t imagine how you couldn’t win with such a gorgeous peice. Congratulations! it’s nice when all the work pays off isn’t it?
50. Mar
March 20th, 2010
Thanks for your visit my blog… you are artist… this cake is amazing..
A kiss from Spain
51. Cynthia
March 20th, 2010
Hello there!
I was also at the San Diego Cake competition and I saw your cake..I love it! you deserve the best of show for your hard efort I also was competing and I won first place with the cirque du solei cake..congrats!!!
52. Rick
April 27th, 2010
Hey Rylan…
Congratulations! I’m so proud of you. I tell you all the time how fabulous your work is and you need to have your own shop! I can’t wait to see your work on tv and magazines.
Love ya! Arlene
53. Tony
April 28th, 2010
WOW! I am so proud !!!!! way to go my friend! I am not surprised though
I knew you’d win !!! got to share this news !!!
54. Elina Arrom
October 10th, 2010
Amazing
55. Ellen
October 17th, 2010
Woah, that has to be the most gorgeous cake I’ve ever seen. It would be a crime to eat it.