StyleSchool

Allow me to introduce the brand-new wedding cake feature on StyleSchool! Every two weeks we’ll be checking in with the bakers and decorators from around the country for their take on what makes wedding cakes great.

What better way to kick off the fun than by chatting with my absolute favorite—Charm City Cakes. While the bakery has garnered tons of fame from their Food Network show, “Ace of Cakes”, the team really does make gorgeous, innovative cakes. I spoke with Anna, the Artistic Director, about her favorite cakes and what makes her bakery the best.

How’s Charm City Cakes different from other bakeries?
We really strive to make cakes that are challenging and truly original. We constantly seek out new techniques and brainstorm way things can be done better. Even though we take our jobs seriously, we’re big believers in doing everything with a sense of fun and humor. After all, it’s just cake!

Why do you enjoy working on wedding cakes?
It’s just such a tough aesthetic to nail perfectly—to not be overwrought and to not be plain.  When it’s done just right, though, it is so rewarding, design-wise. But aside from trying to make a perfect cake, just seeing and hearing the clients’ reactions make it all worth it.

What’s been your favorite wedding cake so far?
This was actually a cake designed for my best friend’s wedding—to be involved was such an honor! We decided on a six-tier cake that was faded from light to lime green with elegant branches and cherry blossom flowers (see above). What was really great was that we used three flavors: red velvet, white chocolate raspberry and peanut butter cup!

What’s the most unique wedding cake you’ve ever designed?
One year I decorated a cake for a couple that was really into Legos, so we decided to do a traditional three-tier wedding cake that looked like it was being built by Legos with a crew of Lego men (click here for a picture)! The idea was that the cake was made of Legos and the men were in the process of draping the fondant and applying the roses. So, in part, it was a wall of toys and in other parts it just looked like a regular cake. It was an awesome project.

Any advice for couples choosing their wedding cake?
I’ve noticed that clients get really into completely matching the cake to their theme, color, dress and/or invitation. Even though that can sometimes be appropriate, personally I like to use those things as more of a suggestion to the overall design. To me, the idea of a cake having to match the napkins is a little much.

To schedule an appointment with Charm City Cakes, call 410.235.9229. “Ace of Cakes” airs every Thursday night at 10 P.M. Eastern Time on the Food Network.

—Rachel Jacoby, Assistant Editor