My grandfather had a huge birthday bash yesterday. Around 100 people attended including family and friends. It was a big event with much preparation, including a grand cake. There was music also specially chosen by my dad that played throughout the event. My grandpa has 2 great grandchildren, 15 grandchildren and 7 children. He is very blessed indeed and is well liked by all.
I helped a little with the cake and the slideshow that was playing at the restaurant. I helped my cousin to scan photos for a photo slideshow. A montage of my grandfather with family over the years.
I helped my mom with the cake, becoming her assistant, bringing her this and that, assisting where I could. Holding up the cake while she flipped it, taping the stencil to the table etc. I was available on demand. I also accompanied her to the cake shop to buy the fondant icing.
It turned out the cake was a success. Here are some pictures of the process. First my mom baked several cakes. There are 4 double layer cakes so that was 8 cakes total, 4 round and 4 square. That was on the first day. It was a vanilla butter cake.
The next day, she levelled the cakes for layering. Each cake had 2 layers. My mom was very particular about the cakes, measuring them with a ruler to see that they were of a certain height. Then she layered them, spreading buttercream icing between the 2 layers. Then she iced the whole cake with buttercream.
Then, she rolled fondant icing and rolled it onto the cakes - 4 cakes. That was the difficult bit. She had to smooth it out cleanly. Lastly she stuck some ribbons and embellishments on the cake. And prepared the sugar flower decorations that she already had. Did I mention my mom is a great sugar artist? She is a very accomplished sugar artist with lots of beautiful creations, mainly flowers. I will show those one day.
The next day at the venue, my mom assembled the cake with some help from her sisters. And added the sugar flowers. There were red flowers on the top with leaves tumbling down. There was a peach in the middle and the base had a bouquet of flowers. The 2 square cakes by the sides had assorted flowers on them - orchids and roses. The top cake is supported by an internal structure over the bottom cake if you were wondering.
Overall it was an awesome birthday party and my grandfather must have been very happy! All the relatives had the chance to re-unite. Some from overseas. Everyone enjoyed themselves at the party and it was a good night.Labels: cakes, celebration, sugar art
