Instagram didn’t exist when Erin Gardner headed to New York to take the sugar flower class that was a turning point in her career.
Now, Gardner is all over social media as Erin Bakes, the name behind the wildly popular website, cookbook and social media accounts devoted to all things baking and cakes.
On Saturday, Gardner will be demonstrating how to make edible chocolate flowers at Bristol Community College’s Cake Show and Competition at the Silver City Galleria and signing copies of her book, “Erin Bakes Cake.”
Though she didn’t set out to become a pastry chef, Gardner said she found a love of baking while working in a restaurant where she started out plating desserts. While taking a class on making sugar flowers in New York, Gardner said she found her passion.
In 2009, Gardner decided to follow that passion by opening her own bakery, Wild Orchid Baking Co. in New Hampshire. She rose to national prominence when she won the Food Network’s “Sweet Genius” baking competition in 2012, which resulted in even more sweet success with magazines such as "Brides" and "Martha Stewart Weddings" featuring her cakes.
Nowadays, Gardner inspires the creative and not-so-creative though her website, ErinBakes.com, and Craftsy online classes and her new book, “Erin Bakes Cakes,” released this past September.
The book breaks down cakes and cake decorating with a streamlined approach. In it, she offers a base recipe, such a vegetable or fruit-based cake with ways it can be adapted to various types of fruit. The book, she said, is divided into two sections. The first, focuses on recipes for cakes, frostings and crunch elements such as brittle. The second part of the book, is about decorating cakes and decorative/flavor elements such as candies and cookies.
To make it even more user-friendly, Gardner offers “equations” for some of her favorites cake, filling and frosting combinations so the cakes aren’t just beautiful, they’re also delicious, she said.
Whether on tour with her book or at a demo like the upcoming one at BCC, Gardner said a lot of people ask for her suggestions for beginners. “I say, ‘Make something. If it doesn’t go right, try it again…. Always be creating,'” she said.
One of her new focuses these days is making it even easier for busy parents and newcomers to cake decorating to produce dazzling cakes with her Easy Sheet Cake Series. Taking all the knowledge she gained in her career, Gardner simplifies the cake-making process with sheet cakes topped with decorative designs such as long-stemmed flowers.
In addition to being the guest judge, Gardner will be demonstrating the making of edible chocolate flowers at the Cake Show on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to noon. From noon to 1 p.m. she will be signing copies of her book, which will be available for purchase.
Glitz and Glamour will be the theme of the 11th annual Cake Show and Competition, held over two days this year, Saturday, April 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 8 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Silver City Galleria, 2 Galleria Mall Drive, Taunton. Admission is free.
In addition to Gardner's demonstration, the cake show and competition will also include the following free seminars that do not require registration:
Saturday, April 7
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Wedding Cake Assembly and Delivery Tips
Lisa Raphael, Pastry Chef & Owner, Delicious Desserts
4 to 5:30 p.m.
How to Photograph Your Cakes Like A Pro
Paul Martin, Proprietor, Paul E. Martin Photography
Sunday, April 8,
1-2 p.m.
What I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Cake Business
Meredith Ciaburri-Rousseau, Proprietor & Pastry Chef, Artisan Bake Shop
3 to 4 p.m.
Fondant Teddy Bear Cake Toppers
Sandra Frezza, President, Mass ICES
noon and 2 p.m.
Live cake decorating demos with BCC Baking and Pastry students and alumni.
Follow the event on Facebook, including tips and reveals, at www.facebook.com/bcccakecompetition.
Email Linda Murphy at lmurphy@heraldnews.com.