WINNING awards at the International Cake Show has been the icing on the cake for three Redland decorators and Capalaba business Cordie’s Cakes.
Kirsty Cordwell of Cordie’s Cake Supplies took out first place in the “cake buddy” section for the second consecutive year.
“It is a privilege to win, and I feel honoured that people took time out of their day to vote,” she said.
Cordie’s was also a finalist for Best Online Retailer Educator, further cementing its reputation as a go-to destination for aspiring decorators.
Among them is Helen Lowe, of Cleveland, who began cake decorating classes as a hobby just 14 months ago.
In that time, she has mastered techniques including buttercream, layering, flowers, cupcake bouquets, wafer paper flowers, fondant, modelling fondant figurines, royal icing cookies and working with a pallet knife.
“It’s an art form and it’s a chance for me to be creative,” she said.
“It gives me so much joy to give cakes to friends and family.”
Ms Lowe said she especially loved making flowers, particularly roses, which she created in memory of her late mother Catherine.
She was awarded second place in the beginner’s category for her two-tiered floral cake.
“I’m already looking at a design for next year’s competition, but I won’t be classed as a beginner then, so the outcome may be quite different,” she said.
Jordanna Billington, of Alexandra Hills, also impressed judges – gaining first place for her fox cake in the Animal Kingdom category and second place for her Winnie the Pooh cake in the Storytelling category.
Ms Billington said she first entered the competition three years ago, after initially baking a cake for her daughter’s first birthday five years ago.
“I baked my first cake five years ago for my daughter’s first birthday and now I make cakes for the whole family,” she said.
“I’ve done many courses and watch YouTube and Pinterest for methods and ideas.
“I love the creativity of it.”
This year, her daughter Kiala, 6, entered her own Old Macdonald farm-themed cake and received a merit certificate.
“I didn’t help her, but I made something, and she copied me,” Ms Billington said. “We had many hours together and had lots of fun.”
Capalaba resident Kaitlin Fuller also made her mark as a first-time entrant, receiving a bronze certificate for her two-tiered woodland house cake titled Home Sweet Home.
“The first time I tried to make a rainbow layered cake and it did not go well,” Ms Fuller said. “I just kept trying again and now I make cakes for a living.
“My passion is to grow this into a bakery or cafe one day.”
While Ms Cordwell is praised by students for her decorating skills, she said it was her students and customers who were truly deserving of recognition.
“They are all truly exceptional,” she said. “They gained their success through hard work and dedication.”
