Kathy Wise of Sweetwise, Nashville’s Premier Cake, Candy, and Pastry Supply Store, hosted the 2009 Tennessee Cake Festival at the Music Valley Events Center February 28-March 1.  My weekend started on Friday, February 27 when I drove to Sweetwise to bring some display cakes that were not being judged.  I walked in and began talking to Lydia, Kathy’s right-hand gal and my former Wilton instructor and I saw this pretty little person out of the corner of my eye.  I turned quickly and I couldn’t help myself… (thanks Honey) I yelled, “It’s Michelle Bom Bom Bommarito!!!!” 

Indeed it was the infamous Michelle Bommarito from the Food Network cake challenges.  She turned around and laughed and said, “yes, it’s me.” and then asked me to help her decide what cake she should put together for the event.  I laughed.  I couldn’t believe Michelle Bommarito just asked for my opinion on cake!  I picked on out nonetheless and she said she had thought that one was the best too but wanted a second opinion.  She asked if I wanted to walk with her to see Kathy at the Events Center.  Of course I did.  If Michelle asked me to run a 5K with her I would have done it right then and there. 

Okay, the point of this blog is to talk about the festival so I will try to contain my giddiness over meeting Michelle in the flesh for awhile.  People began arriving with their cake entries that evening and how I wished I would have done that as well.  The next morning the rain was POURING down-not just drizzling but raining elephants.  There were no cats and dogs to it.  I was trying to hold off on bringing my cakes outside because my wedding entry was decorated with chocolate.  Why chocolate?!  Because it was SO humid that my gumpaste and fondant decorations wouldn’t dry!  I can’t say that it’s the best work I ever did but I still think the idea is a beautiful one and hope to use it in a similar way someday. 

The theme of the 2009 Tennessee Cake Festival was Love Affair with Music City and could be interpreted in any way the artist saw fit.  If the design was sculpted it must be done with real cake.  Mine were not sculpted.  I entered both the wedding and the novelty categories.  I did not win but there were some really fantastic cakes that did not win prizes, and those that won most certainly deserved it.  I hurried through my cakes so I could get some last minute orders done for my customers and I’m ashamed to say that my work reflected it.  Next time I will not procrastinate.  My novelty entry was one of the very few to feature one of my family’s biggest loves in Nashville…the Nashville Predators! 

My friend and former instructor Lydia won the Adult Professional Novelty division with her tribute to Minnie Pearl.  It was beautifully done and expertly executed right down to the gingham dress with a pink ribbon for cancer.  Absolutely stunning work.  

My dearest cake buddy Laura was awarded the 3rd place ribbon in the same category for her lovely hat box.  Her delicate flowers and beautifully decorated board won the judges over for sure. 

Best of Show and Winner of the Amateur Novelty Division was Amanda Mason with her incredible Opryland Amusement Park cake.  She put so much time and energy into that cake she deserved the well coveted title.  It was amazing and she definitely kicked it up a notch for next year.   I have heard her claim this is her first cake and if that is so-she will be an incredibly sought after decorator in the future. 

During the course of the weekend there were several demos from Michelle Bommarito herself, Clint Redwine of the Mix 92.9 Morning Show who made his incredibly realistic guitar cake, my friend Laura who demonstrated sugar beer bottles and ice for her awesome Beer Bucket cake, Jay Qualls of Maples Wedding Cakes who demonstrated fondant ribbons and myself with cake truffles. 

I apologize that this isn’t the actual cake that Jay demonstrated.  I was talking with the live competitors at the time he was finishing his demo.  He showed a wonderful technique for keeping fondant ribbons straight as they are applied-I will be trying it out in the future! 

Speaking of the live competition!  WOW what a show!  The competitors had four hours to finish a cake with the same theme.  Competing were Vicki from Signature Cakes by Vicki, Jo from Jo’s Custom Cakes and Catering, Kaysie formerly from Nashville Cakes, and Stephanie from The Sweetest Day.  Michelle Bommarito, Clint Redwine, and the audience made up the panel of judges.  All of the teams did an amazing job representing Nashville or Music City but Stephanie Felts came out on top with her tribute to Minnie Pearl.  

Stephanie won a $300 shopping spree at Sweetwise for her winning cake.  She also received respected attention from Michelle and the 150 or so people that were watching her make that winning cake LIVE!  If she was nervous she certainly didn’t let it show.  She wore a great pair of glasses with little LED lights on them to see her work and Michelle couldn’t wait to try them on.  As a sidenote, Stephanie brought Michelle her own pair before class on Monday.  I can’t wait to see her wear them at the next competition on Food Network! 

I think the weekend was an enormous success and I can’t wait until next year.  I’m sure there will be a few changes but kudos to Kathy Wise and Sweetwise for organizing and hosting such a fun event!