3D
Long Journey
by Vina Jafar · submitted Jul 27, 2010 · 2010 contest
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Description
After few hours starring at my screen trying to decide which design I was going to do, I finally decided that I had to do “Long Journey” for my entry to this competition. I don't usually go for something this serious but there's something about the design that got me from the first time I saw it. Its gloominess is just felt so deep and it's representing dark time in our life journey. My idea is to bring the whole design into 3d while still maintaining a multi-tiers shape so the design will appear like it is carved into a cake. This way, I believe it will accentuate its depth even more, provide more delicious cake to be devoured later and more importantly I know this will give me a lot of challenge (trouble) doing it =p.
It took me three full afternoons to complete this cake. I couldn't work on it for the whole day because of my other chores running the house =). On the first afternoon, I baked the cake. I used yellow butter cake because it gave me just the right firmness I need while the cake texture itself is still quite light because I'm not fond of densely textured cake. Then I prepared the gum paste dough. I made my own gum paste instead of the one available on the store. On second day, I assembled the cakes than sculpted four main waves that are going to be the main element of the cake. Not to forget, I carved out a little piece for the boat. Then I prepared the sails, clouds, anchor, kraken hands and upper waves from gum paste then let those dried properly. After that, I painted the Anchor and kraken hands using food colors, then the sails are brushed with chocolate powder to create rustic effect. On the last day, I covered the cake with fondant and draw the details using edible color marker. I have to admit that this step really gave me a tough time because I had to draw so many lines using a marker which tip is not really ideal to be used on non-flat surface. But yes, I pulled it through. After that I air brushed the cake using food colors. Then I put everything into place and put it into a lil photo shoot.
All parts of the cake are edible except the skewer sticks and string I used for the main support of the boat's sail. I didn't use any support inside of the cake, coz the cake had already sit nicely and strong enough to stand on its own. It was delicious and not overly sweet. But it is just impossible for me to finish the whole cake. So, the next day my neighbors and I have the same thing for breakfast =9
It took me three full afternoons to complete this cake. I couldn't work on it for the whole day because of my other chores running the house =). On the first afternoon, I baked the cake. I used yellow butter cake because it gave me just the right firmness I need while the cake texture itself is still quite light because I'm not fond of densely textured cake. Then I prepared the gum paste dough. I made my own gum paste instead of the one available on the store. On second day, I assembled the cakes than sculpted four main waves that are going to be the main element of the cake. Not to forget, I carved out a little piece for the boat. Then I prepared the sails, clouds, anchor, kraken hands and upper waves from gum paste then let those dried properly. After that, I painted the Anchor and kraken hands using food colors, then the sails are brushed with chocolate powder to create rustic effect. On the last day, I covered the cake with fondant and draw the details using edible color marker. I have to admit that this step really gave me a tough time because I had to draw so many lines using a marker which tip is not really ideal to be used on non-flat surface. But yes, I pulled it through. After that I air brushed the cake using food colors. Then I put everything into place and put it into a lil photo shoot.
All parts of the cake are edible except the skewer sticks and string I used for the main support of the boat's sail. I didn't use any support inside of the cake, coz the cake had already sit nicely and strong enough to stand on its own. It was delicious and not overly sweet. But it is just impossible for me to finish the whole cake. So, the next day my neighbors and I have the same thing for breakfast =9