Chic Bake Sale

Just wanted to share these photos of a bake sale that we had last month to benefit the Nicaragua Missions team, proving that fundraisers can be chic and cute too!
I piped mint green buttercream frosting and made little fondant ladybugs. Above - I cut freehand fondant hearts, and dusted lemon cupcakes with powdered sugar.

Caramel filled chocolate mini cupcakes: I cut rolled pink fondant with Japanese vegetable cutters and put them on a bed of pink buttercream.

Packaging makes a huge difference: have cello bags and boxes handy to package baked goods. People want to be able to take things home easily or give them as gifts. I also made branded labels to make pricing easy and uniform.

Moroco Chocolat

It's been a long time since i've been really really excited about a place in Toronto, but when we entered into Moroco Chocolat, it was as though we stumbled into a fantasy chocolate universe. Moroco makes one feel as though they were enrobed in the most deluxe Moet filled truffle. A safehaven for champagne-sipping, well-heeled ladies (although at a time like this we didn't see too many champagne sippers), it offers handmade marshmellows, decadant fondues, and liquid chocolate (Charlie and the Chocolate factory goes couture). The front of the restaurant is a sweet Parisian inspired macaroon shop, which features masterfully blended flavours such as salted caramel and lavender cassis at $2 each. The back restaurant has a striking resemblance to the Baccarat room in Laduree London, decked out in mauve greys, heavy velvets and mirrored surfaces. Custom monogrammed chairbacks and dishes made our experience extra special.

Party at Moroco Chocolat. It's a great event space!

The most amazing "burger and fries"; $16 and worth every penny. The bun- a lemon poppyseed sponge cake. The patty- a delicious chocolate mousse. The "cheese"- a lemon gelee. Fries were made from crisp shortbread, with faux ketchup (raspberry puree).

Swiss Raclette (Fondue's Cousin)

Speaking of comfort foods, there's nothing like a sharing a delicious fondue on a cold winter's day with your closest family and friends. I'm also going nuts about this Swissmar Raclette grill. Traditionally a delicious apres-ski snack in the Alpines, the original idea is to put a wheel of raclette cheese on a hot grill and scrape bits of cheese as it melts, eating it with cornichons, sausages, etc. Williams Sonoma has a modern raclette grill (pictured below). It's a great way to entertain!

Bobbette & Belle

I stumbled upon this company, Bobbette & Belle, that makes the most adorable macaroon favours. Just had to share!
Hand painted monogram can be added to the macaroons!

Really Organic Arrangements

I know i've mentioned this before, but I just love the way fruits and vegetables can make such a fresh visual impact. Here are a few examples:
Love this picture of London Restaurant, La Petite Maison. I got the photo from Gwenyth Paltrow's blog, GOOP. There's nothing simpler and cleaner than stacking up fruits and vegetables in big vases.

Forget the grocery bought veggie & dip platters. You can easily arrange veggies in a "bouquet" like manner in a basket just by bunching veggies together. The dip is nicely presented in a scooped out red pepper. Photo from LA based caterer, Joan's on Third.

I like the idea of bringing the arrangement outside the bowl. Check out how Joan's on Third catering used the blood orange peels sto create a flower.

Sale at Martha Stewart Crafts

Just thought i'd pass on the good news that Martha Stewart Crafts is having a sale and use this opportunity to share my favourite Christmas items from the site!

I'm usually not a big fan of pointsettias but this wreath is so cute (made from paper). What a cute idea!Loving this acorn napkin ring idea- just in time for American Thanksgiving.

This cookie box is from this new line of "Gingerbread Village" designs (which only Martha Stewart staff would think of!)

Note the teddy bear graham cracker-sized cookies in the box!

Speaking of Gingerbread men- how adorable is this felt trim?

Simply gorgeous scalloped edge divided boxes. Love the idea of giving home baked items for Christmas.

My Bridal Shower!

I am truly so blessed to have a sister who loves to throw parties as much as I do. We have probably been planning each others showers almost as much as we have been planning our own weddings! The exciting itinerary included tea, and a "chocolate sommelier" who came in to do a very informative chocolate tasting.
I wish I had more pictures to share, as photos cannot comprehend the beautiful shower she threw. Thanks to my Sister for a beautiful event as always. Also, a big thank you to all those who helped contribute!My sister incorporated gorgeous shades of melon coloured chrysanthemums, succulents, gorgeous white dalias for centerpieces.
She also handcrafted tissue paper blooms in melon shades, using a large 24" white lantern as the form. Guests could choose from a tray of looseleaf tea bags of my favourite teas, and enjoyed them in glass tea cup and saucers. She rented white garden chairs, white linens and her coworker sewed sheer honeydew runners.
A gorgeous spread of the most delicious foods prepared by my sister and my friend Debbie. Highlights included melon coloured petit fours, miniature cupcakes with melon fondant icing (adorned by beautiful handmade sugar flowers (thanks Chris!), green tea shortbread, caramel pots de creme served in miniature ramikens and porcelain spoons, a selection of scones, endive topped with lobster & avocado, mini puff pastries with roasted tomato & basil. Delicious!!

CakeTherapy

Here are some great ideas that Caketherapy, a Toronto based lawyer who trained and does cakes and sweets on the side!

Adorable cake they made for a ballroom themed wedding!!

Desserts in a Jar

I love these desserts in a jar I saw on the Gaia Restaurant website! I love the idea of the logo stickers too. How cute would these be for a wedding?

Most Amazing Pastries Spread Ever!

I know it's been a long time since i've last posted, but I promise you, this is a good one. I was recently lent a Japanese magazine filled with the most beautiful pastry spread i've ever seen. They included gorgeous shots of the heavenly pastries from the world's most famous patisseries in Paris, Brussels, etc. (Please excuse the quality of the pics as I took photos, as not to damage the magazine from scanning) Delicious versions of the choux pastry above.

I haven't seen macaroons this way!

Gorgeous variations of eclairs
The beautiful simplicity of Baumkuchen cake ("Queen of cakes")

Catering Trends

With my own wedding menu submission deadline coming up, i've been trying to find new and innovative catering ideas. According to the writers at BFF Bridal.com, the top three trends in catering are: 1. Go Mini, 2. Go Global and 3. Go Organic. You can read more from their article here. In the mean time, i'm leaving you with some of the juciest, freshest food ideas i've seen lately! Simple watermelon cut into rounds with a savoury cheese topping by Abigail Kirsch (above). There are just too many good ideas on Taste Catering's website. Here are some of my favourites below: Taste Catering takes the trend of mini's to a whole new level!Paper cones are just such a quick and easy way to add polish to your presentation. I once created a snackbar by making paper cones and filling them with various easy to make items like spiced popcorn, gummies and chips. Savoury truffles by Abigail Kirsch.
I am so jealous of this bride & groom who had their wedding reception catered by Thomas Keller himself at Per Se! How many people can say they had their reception at a Michelin star restaurant! The bride has chronicled her journey online here. Above- she describes their hors d'oeuvres and advises couples to ask their caterers/venues to set aside hors d'oeuvres, since you will be busy greeting guests. Above- "Cornet of marinated salmon, Gruyere cheese Gougeres, Foie Gras, Roulade of Liberty Valley Peking Duck, and Lemon Arancini"
Above, Per Se's signature "coffee and donuts" a sugar donut with espresso semi-freddo. I love the idea of taking something otherwise ordinary and re-creating the idea with a polished presentation.