July 23 2020

Yall are about to LOVE todays blog interview Sam is one of THE most talented humans I have ever met She makes these sugar flowers that look SO REAL Seriously follow her on IG to see her in action making them They blow my mind ANYWAYS Sam is here chatting all things sweets sharing about how to save your cake topper for your one year anniversary how to have unique wedding day options and more Take it away Sam

Tell us a little about you Where are you located and what services do you offer

Im a pastry chef located in Oakland CA I specialize in custom cakes and sugar flowers for weddings and other special celebrations Since COVID19 I have added packages for micro weddings and elopements online cake decorating classes and DIY cake decorating kits for delivery in the Bay Area

What made you fall in love with baking

I love working with my hands and for baking and pastry there is so much science and technique behind what youre doing that when you can successfully make something on your own with your own two hands it is super satisfying

What is your favorite part of the job

Making sugar flowers its a very zen experience for me I also love recipe testing because I like to experiment with different flavors and textures in baked goods

What is your personal favorite cake flavor

Chocolate The more chocolate the better

Are there any cake trends your clients are loving in particular

Smaller cakes for the couple and then either a sheet cake or dessert table for the rest of the guests are very popular Usually the small cake for the newlyweds is a different flavor from most of the other desserts its a nice way to make the cake cutting a special moment between you and your partner Grab and go dessert items are also really popular Guests want to party so treats like cupcakes cake shooters cake pops or cookies anything they can easily pick up and move around with are a great way to serve something delicious to your partygoers while they get down on the dance floor

What are some unique alternatives couples can do when it comes to deserts

A collection of petite sweets cupcakes cake shooters cake pops macarons candy etc is always a hit and a great way to add variety into the dessert menu Some people skip cake altogether in favor of another type of dessert such as a whole table full of different kinds of pie or nothing but donuts or piles and piles of the couples favorite cookies Another option for those couples who arent into dessert but want to leave their guests with something sweet is to individually package items as favors Beautifully wrapped fancy cupcakes individual mini cakes personalized cookies or a set of macarons are a super sweet sendoff for your friends and family who came to celebrate with you

How early should couples order their cake

Well that depends If you know youre getting married during peak wedding season reach out to your baker 6 to 9 months ahead of time especially if youre looking for a more complex design Custom cakes are like art pieces so you want to give your cake maker enough time to focus on your order If youre getting married at a more quiet time of year I recommend reaching out 3 months ahead That said there are a lot of lastminute gatherings these days so dont be afraid to check with your baker even if you think it might be too close to your deadline because they may be able to accommodate your request

What does a tasting appointment look like for you and your clients

Clients receive a box of individually wrapped cake slices that include a selection of our most popular flavors Ill meet with you to deliver the box and have a brief discussion about what youre looking for in terms of cake design number of guests the venue etc and then you get to take the box home to try the flavors at your own pace with your fiance friends or family After our initial meeting Ill follow up 2 to 3 days later to see if youd like to move forward with working together

What is the best way to freeze the leftover cake for a oneyear anniversary celebration

Heavily wrapped in plastic Make sure your cake is cold before you go to wrap it up and once its chilled you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap at least two layers and then wrap it again with parchment or tin foil Labeling it is also a good idea sometimes things make their way to the back of the freezer and people forget what theyve got in there The most important thing is to try and seal the cake to protect it from moisture and freezer burn

Are there any other questions you get asked often or wish you could share more about Feel free to add anything

People usually wonder what to do with the sugar flowers after their party is over The best thing about sugar flowers is that they can be saved As long they dont get wet dont put them in the fridge or dropped on the ground sugar flowers will last indefinitely I often recommend to clients that once the flowers are removed from the cake and wiped clean with a dry cloth they can be arranged in a vase or under a glass cloche They become a beautiful keepsake from your wedding cake that you can display as art in your home which I think is really sweet and unique since no two sugar flower arrangements are the same just like couples 3

How can people find you and get in touch

DM me on Instagram send a message through my website or shoot me an email Ill follow up with you no matter what

Instagram https:wwwinstagramcomsamanthamayfaircakes

Website https:wwwsamanthamayfaircom