8/8/2019 Design Cakes
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24 March 28 - 29, 2009 WEEkEnd LIVInGmakan
Childrens birthday cakes, in
particular, have always been a keen
indulgence. And bespoke creations
are sure-fire ways
to impress. But
kids arent neces-
sarily always the
target audience.
Evelyn Tan,
a group brand
marketing man-
ager with a leading
cosmetic company,
spent close to $400
on her daughters
first birthday cake,
a customised crea-
tion from Canel
Ptisserie Chocolaterie, which is
helmed by executive pastry chef
Pang Kok Keong.
My daughters only one once,
she said. I know she wont even
remember it, but I felt guilty for not
spending enough time with her.
On hindsight, she also felt it
was a little too indulgent. Im still
feeling the pinch.
Angeline Ng, a training and
PR manager for Christian Dior,
spent more than $200 on both
her daughters first and second
birthday cakes, custom made by
a freelance baker. I loved how
my daughters eyes lit up when
she saw the cakes, but I probably
wont do the same
when shes older.
A friend of
mine also admits
to living vicari-
ously through her
two children. Her
recent splurge was
a 4kg sweet opus
of all things girly
for her daughters
third birthday.
Also from
The Patissier, the
design boasted
handmade miniature candied
interpretations of her daughters
favourite things think story-
books, handbags and ballet shoes.
The price tag: A little above $800.
Like it is for many parents,
she simply wanted to afford her
children the extravagances she
never had while growing up.
Moneys worth
Unlike generic off-the-shelf birth-
day cakes, there is almost always
nothing half-baked about the
wedding cake. What then would
an award-winning pastry chefs
own wedding cake be like?
A 100kg, seven-tier master-
piece fashioned after Victorian
architecture, scented with vio-
lets and layered with raspberry
confiture (a type of confection or
preserve) was chef Pangs scene-
stealing conception.
This Carla Bruni of a cake was
one of his most extravagant. What
would the rest of us need to pay for
something similar?
It would cost more
than $15,000, said
chef Pang.
Well, I wouldnt
have expected any-
thing less from this
pastry specialist.
He and his team
spent five days bak-
ing, and finishing
the decorations.
Special moulds,
ingredients and the
cherub stand were
flown in from the
United Kingdom, he added.
Marketing manager Ruth
Chews favourite by the maestro
is a 4kg, two-tier
Chocolate Royale
cake featuring
luscious chocolate
mousse and sponge
with a crunchy
hazelnut base for
her ROM (Regis-
try of Marriage)
celebration. This
was in 2002 (when
chef Pang was with
Hilton Singapore). It
set her back $300.
It had vanilla
icing brushed on, and was deco-
rated with strawberries, blueber-
ries and cherries,
sprayed on with
white chocolate,
she gushed.
Besides the
quality of the
cakes these con-
summate profes-
sionals are known
for, it is important
to note that such
elaborate confec-
tioneries are not
priced based on
weight alone.
There is a
level of artistry and skill involved,
and the quality of ingredients to
consider.
fan
on
5k
W
th
for
w a
wi
cho
dle
3kg
ton
a n
pa
filled with layers
mousse, and coffee
pone cream sold f
Despite the high
people are apparently
the idea of specialty
if theyre not exclusi
According to Ba
Daniel Tay, the com
on average, a hundr
(three-dimensiona
month, which are pri
$138 and $298.
Pun intended, th
custom-designed an
cakes is obviously a
your cake and eating
And if it tasted a
looked and made
as special then cle
worth every penny.
Having your cakecontinued from page 23
Bakerzin
Tel: 6251 5550 (United Square) / 6333 6647 (Paragon)
A 3D cake, CEO Daniel Tay explained,requires three working days
to make. Acustomised cake will take seven days. Tayalso emphasised
the fact that customers areenjoying the best of both worlds
qualityand good design. Its hard to break downthe cost, but several
factors, such as the fill-ing used and the size of the cake, will
helpdictate the price, he said.
instant gratificationWith the opening of ColdStorages Specialty
store atTanglin Shopping Centre,instant food has taken on aliteral
meaning.
For the first time, customerscan enjoy the food they havejust
purchased from the super-market instantly, with the storesfree
heating, grilling and bak-ing facilities.
If, for example, you want to
eat the fresh sausages you justbought from the supermarket,you
can pass it to the counterstaff and they will grill them a la
minute for you.In addition, there is
section offering foods spies, quiches, sandwicand pizzas, which
arefor a quick meal.
Cold Storage SpeciaTanglin (Tel: 6738 661self-service store.
Dinerenjoy their food al fresat The Terrace, a privajust outside
the supermsherMAIne wonG
canel Ptisserie choco
Tel: 6738 9020 (Shaw Centre) /6738 8145 (Robertson Walk)
When Canel first started cu
ing birthday cakes (2004), cshared, prices were relatively($138
for a 2kg cake), as opto the current starting price ofor a
similar-sized cake. Chaworkmanship varies. Despitsaid chef Pang, we
are still increasing number of orders.
Dest
Tel: 6536 1556 (Upper Circular Rd)
Chef Stefano attributes the high costof such cakes to a strict
selection of
ingredients (the best in the internationalmarket), workmanship,
and the studyof the design and textures. But, givehim a brief idea
of what you want andlet him decide the rest. The cost, heshared,
would be cheaper. Sugar-freecakes can also be done, but not
withjust any design, added chef Stefano,reiterating the fact that
the exclusion ofsugar will affect the texture of the cake.
the Patissier
Tel: 6220 5565 (Ann Siang Rd) /6737 3369 (Mohamed Sultan Rd)
Four talented female chefs, who translatetraditional French
techniques into innova-tive cakes and pastries for any occasion,run
this popular homegrown patisserie.Helmed by executive chef Tan
Siang Yee, itaims to provide a complete sensual feast.It also
offers croquembouche towers andcupcake creations. A minimum of 10
daysnotice is required.
ATeaParty creationby
ThePatissier ($306).
Chef Pangswedding cake.
c
snack attackHeres anotherreason to kick backwith a
finger-lickinggood snack: The newKentucky Fried
ChickenSnackers.
Some of KFCs popularside orders are now available inthree
affordable combos. Pricedat $2.90 each, peckish folks
can choose to havea set of four pieces
of Winglets, a box ofPopcorn Chicken or one
Signature Original RecipeDrumstick, each servedwith french
fries. Add $1for a regular Pepsi.
For snacking in the comfortof your home, call KFC Deliveryat
6222 6111. Don MenDozA
foodnotes
DeSts Alice in Wonderland ($818).
Bakers Quartet ... Choice picks for some of the sweetest
treats
