Peggy Porschen Interview (and Cake Chic Giveaway too!)
She’s my ‘cake idol’, one of my favorite inspirations, she’s Peggy Porschen and she’s got a new book out!
I am thrilled to announce that I had the opportunity to interview Peggy and will be sharing that interview with you here. I’m also happy to announce that I will be giving away one signed copy of Cake Chic
You may have already noticed that I’ve mentioned Ms. Porschen and her books on numerous occasions. It’s because my journey on this sweet adventure began due to the inspiration of Pretty Party Cakes
Many cake book authors seem not to want to share their secrets and Peggy’s books stand out as ones which share them all.
Her new book, Cake Chic, doesn’t disappoint. As usual, it’s a feast for the eyes and includes some new ways of helping the reader understand how to create her gorgeous treats.
As someone new to making cakes, I also appreciate the range in complexity of projects available – decorating for people at all levels.
You might just find Peggy on one of the pages of your favorite magazines – she has been featured in Glamour, Marie Claire, Delicious and Brides wedding magazine {and so many more!} and has designed cakes for celebrities such as Elton John, Stella McCartney, Madonna and Anthony Hopkins. Her first book, Pretty Party Cakes
Curious about her yet? Here’s the interview followed by the Cake Chic giveaway details:
Interview with Peggy Porschen:
Marian: Peggy, I’m so excited to be speaking with you! I love all your books and the sugar masterpieces you create.
People associate you with cake decorating and baking, of course; but actually I kind think of you also as a style person too. You’re not really just about baking cakes, cookies and cupcakes… you have a style all your own. You have this beautiful balance between traditional and modern; I think it’s one of the secrets of your success.
Where do you find your inspiration, may I ask?
Peggy: Yes, sure; to be honest, there isn’t anything specific. Personally I love sort of girly things. I like to look at fabrics, fashion accessories, wallpapers; you know those kinds of things. Generally, I always felt I had a really good eye for color, so when I find beautiful color combinations I keep samples or just memorize them really well.
Also, when I mix colors I don’t just use plain colors or just one color to mix my icing; I always tend to mix.
Part of that is also from working at Konditor & Cook which is a cake shop here in London. They have sort of crazy, wacky cakes and one thing the owner, Gerhardt Jenne, told me right from the start was, “Forget about tradition, just let your imagination go and go wild, and do what you want to do.” So it really made me less scared of working with colors.
M: I notice that every recipe I try from your books turns out really well. May I ask, are they from Cordon Bleu where you studied, or are they a derivative of the recipes you tried there?
P: I think mostly, the best experience in terms of recipes I made are probably from Konditor & Cook because they are sponge and are much more usable for decorated cakes. Basically my recipes are based on a simple Victoria sponge cake. I just worked with it myself and adapted flavours and added syrups to find out what works best.
The best or biggest advice I could give is really don’t be stingy on your ingredients. You know if you don’t use good stuff you can really taste it.
M: What new cake decorating tools or equipment are you excited about lately?
P: Something new that came out over here is the PME lustre spray
It just makes adding lustre to your petals quick and easy. It saves you literally hours of work. You could also alternatively use an airbrush, but setting up the airbrush, if you don’t have it all ready to constantly use, can be a bit annoying.
M: Do you see yourself as a cake artist first or a baker?
P: Cake artist.
M: What inspired you to write your first book?
P: Oh actually I was asked; never in my wildest dreams would I have thought to write a book. It was a lucky coincidence really because I was selling cakes at a Christmas fair and a publisher saw my cookies, and just said we want to make a cake book with somebody; would you be interested? I was absolutely amazed!
At the time I wouldn’t say I had a signature style, so I then was in the lucky position to be able to go part-time and slow down with my job, so that I could focus completely on the book. It just really helped me to come up with ideas and sort of create my own designs. Some of them were designs I already had in my head for a long time; like the rose tower in Romantic Cakes
M: It is beautiful! And I love how you use charming accessories like the birdcage with the white butterflies. How do you get inspired for your photo shoots?
P: Some ideas are inspired by working with bridal magazines. I find things are always a team effort. Sometimes the magazines will come and say for example, “We’ve got a scene with birdcages – they’re big right now”, so I have to admit it’s not always completely my idea.
M: I think we all get ideas from everywhere.
P: Exactly; I think if you wouldn’t work with other people and exchange ideas you just wouldn’t evolve.
M: I also have to say, you’re one of my inspirations and you are my cake hero. Do you have any ‘cake heros’?
P: Thank you! I guess you can probably tell I find Wendy Kromer incredibly inspiring. But also Ron Ben Israel; actually there are quite a few. I mean I guess Ron Ben Israel for his flowers and Wendy Kromer in general. I find she’s really innovative. I don’t like all of her designs I have to admit, but sometimes she’s got such genius ideas. You know, just so beautiful and aesthetically new and different.
I also like Cheryl Kleinman from New York very much. Unfortunately she hasn’t got a website, which makes it harder for all the other cake makers to look at her cakes. She features a lot in American wedding magazines and if you google her you’ll find her cakes.
I think these are sort of the main ones that have inspired me to get where I am, and there are many more whose styles I love and admire.
M: Who are your favourite cookbook authors?
P: I think what I really like are all these sort of new, scrumptious-looking recipe books about the cupcake trends. The Magnolia Bakery started it all off, and now over here we’ve got the Primrose Bakery and Hummingbird Bakery. They have just recently released books and I’m quite keen to try out some of their recipes but I haven’t had a chance yet.
M: You alluded to trends a little with the cupcakes. What, if any, are your cake trend predictions for 2010?
P: I noticed about 4 years ago it was all sort of fairly colourful and minis and cupcakes were popular. For weddings I find it’s going back to traditional cakes but with a contemporary approach.
I think people generally like a traditional, classic, white, stacked tier cake, but then they like contemporary touches like swags and pearl piping which looks sort of like the crystal chandelier design or damask. Lace is still quite big but I think it’s slowing down a bit. And sugar flowers. Back to sugar flowers.
M: Would you be able to pick your favourite cake, cupcake or cookie from your new book?
P: Well, yes, if you put me on the spot, I’ve got a couple actually (laughing). Out of the cookies, I think that the Scotty dogs and the Silhoutte cookies are pretty – they’re my favourites. Out of minis and cupcakes, I’d say, the cherry blossom fancies…
M: Oh that’s on the cover?
P: Yes, exactly. And then out of the cakes, button flowers is my favourite; also the style of photography is so pretty, and the Summer Symphony.
M: Do you have any plans to write more books, may I ask?
P: I surely do. I do generally like to have a creative break because I sometimes feel otherwise you start repeating yourself. You want to come up with fresh ideas, so it would probably take another year before I start thinking about new ideas. I’ve got some concepts in my head, but I guess I’ll be careful to say anything because I don’t know where it’s going to go.
M: I noticed in your books that you make the instructions easy to follow and include a range of projects in terms of complexity. You have some which are easier for beginners and some for those who have been doing it for a while. Do you have a target audience in mind with your books?
P: I do, because generally, first of all, I think that it’s really nice that I’ve managed to motivate so many people who’ve never done cakes before to actually get started. So I feel it’s important that there’s something in there for beginners. That’s what it’s all about really. You know when I started my training, I also just learned about basic sugar craft and I taught myself most of the skills through books. I find books are really important for people who want learn about making cakes.
And the more tricky ones, the thing is that it’s also for my name and my reputation… I feel that I need to have some challenging projects in there in order to be ahead of things, if you know what I mean. Also for myself, I just like to come up with something that’s different.
M: I like the fact that you have some more challenging things because it gives people something to aspire to.
Peggy I would like to thank you for taking the time out to do this interview; I appreciate it!
For anyone interested in taking classes with Peggy, she is focussing now on holding more of them. The information is on her site under Masterclasses (Shop) here: http://www.peggyporschen.com/shop/
She also recently flew to Malaysia and is coming to Toronto, Canada this November, to the Bonnie Gordon School of Cake Design. I know I’m completely thrilled to be signed up for the 3-day course. I’ll keep you posted on that!
Her book, Cake Chic, has been released on Amazon in England, France, Germany and Japan, but not yet in Canada or the United States. It will be released here in April 2010. I’ve checked Ebay periodically and have seen it there and on other on-line book sites, however it’s often being shipped from England or Australia.
If you’d like to order or pre-order her new book, they’re available at bookstores everywhere and on line. Specifically through the following Amazon links in:
Cake Chic Giveaway! CLOSED
Now on to the giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Peggy’s book, Cake Chic
- What is one question you would ask your ‘hero’ (if you have one), in an interview?
OR
- What or who would you like to see featured on Sweetopia next?
The contest is international and the winner will be chosen randomly at www.random.org.
Another way of entering the draw is to retweet this post on twitter. Tweets will be added to the draw! (One per twitter user please).
Hope you enjoyed the interview and good luck with the giveaway! ;-)
xo,
Marian
I would love to see Toba Garrett featured on Sweetopia.
Oh I would love to see Kerry Vincent on Sweetopia next! or let’s say Mary Maher of cake girls in chicago. She was also on Amazing wedding Cakes.
Loved your interview Peggy Porschen and of course everything you post about on Sweetopia. Keep up the good work!
I would love to see some more cookie decorating techniques and ideas especially for Christmastime. Thanks.
Thanks Marian for the interview to Peggy Porschen I’d love to see Eddie Spence featured on Sweetopia: I know he’s writing his own book about Royal Icing and I’d like to know much more about him and his book ( it’s due for the coming year I think).It’ll be great!!!
Love
Donatella
I am a new follower of your blog, but I must say I love it. The very first time I discovered your blog, I went and bought Pretty Party Cakes. I sure keep my fingers crossed to win the new book. I will buy it if I do not win it, but owning one of Peggy Porschen’s book autographed by her is something else.
I would ask my hero for one advice about following and achieving dreams.
I also like to see a demonstration on how to make chocolate leaves by distopiandreamgirl (flickr), I do not know if she/he (probably she) is a famouse baker or not? But she/he is sure talented.
I love Sweetopia. I have Pretty party cakes, and would love to have to Chic book. Having tutorials featured on Sweetopia are my favorite, and would love to see more sugar flowers featured.
This looks like such a wonderful book! thanks for the giveaway! I would ask her what is the one thing she would recommend for a person who wants to follow their dream and make it a job, but doesn’t have the capital to do it.
I would really like to see more tutorials in cake decorating
I would ask my hero who his/her hero is or who inspires them.
I would love to see Rachel Kramer Bussel and Nichelle Stephens, founders of the blog cupcakestakethecake be featured on this blog since you guys do things among the same lines.
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I LOVED the interview and love your blog! Big fan of Peggy Porschen myself aswell. I would also love to see the Cake Girls featured in Sweetopia or Marina Sousa.
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I would ask my hero what their top tip is for success in their craft.
I would ask Nigella who her major influences are and if she really had to choose 5 cookbooks, which her faves would be.
Katie xox
i’ve only recently started following your blog — i came across you while searching for sugar cookie tips and tutorials and fell in love with your info and willingness to share! i’ve love to see what Christmas cookies you come up with this year and for you to tell us which tools you find indispensable when making sweet treats. i’m always looking for new gadgets.
thanks!
I would ask my hero what keeps them motivated and inspired.
I would love to see Debbie Brown featured on Sweetopia!
I would love to see an interview with Nicholas Lodge. His gumpaste flowers just amaze me!
I really enjoyed your interview of Peggy Porschen. I am relatively new to your blog and look forward to new entries. I would like to see more tutorials on new icing ideas….especially the mini cakes..Thank you for sharing.
I would ask my hero what keeps them motivated to find new ideas day after day.
I would ask my hero what technique or approach to decorating they found the most intimidating, why, how did they learn the technique (if at all) and use it in their work, and what advice would they give to others who want to learn or perfect this technique?
Fantastic interview!! I would ask my hero what her secret to success is and what 10 tips she could share that launched her business.
I already have Pretty Party Cakes and browse through it often for tips and ideas and would love to have a signed copy of her new book. What a great Christmas gift to myself!!!
Good luck everyone!
I would love to see some more things about sugar flowers =). Love your site!
Awesome interview!!
I would love to see more about the kitchen utensils you use and which ones you love/hate.
There are so many out there.
I would love to see more cupcake decorating tutorials. I’ve learned a lot already from your site!
I would love to see more tutorials on cookie decorating. I really learned alot from the last one!
Wow, Marian! I’m so excited for you!
Congrats on the interview!!
I would love to ask Peggy, and any other artist that you interview in the future:
“what do you enjoy doing in your spare time when you aren’t creating cakes”
I love to see a variety topics on your blog, so, I would love to have you interview a variety of artists as well: Duff Goldman to Ron Ben Israel!
xx’s take care, Marian!!
I would love to ask any confectionary artist what is the source of their inspiration, and just read all the different responses to that question. There are so many amazing creations that make you wonder on what the original spark of inspiration for them was.
I would love to see fun holiday themed treats!
I would ask my hero how they come to putting a price value on their creations
I love your blog! You are so very talented! The interview was great. I love Peggy Porshen her cakes are so beautiful. I would really love to see tutorials about sugar flowers.
First, I need to say…what beautiful stuff.
What would I ask my hero…
Did you ever doubt yourself?
Thank you for the interview! Love to get into the head of those you admire.
I would love to ask, what was their most difficult design/most challenging because I find that when it’s difficult and challenging, it’s also the most rewarding!
Oh.. anything you do. I’m learing and getting so inspired by your work!
How great is this? I love Peggy Porschen, I actually have one of her cakes. I would love to enter the giveway to win this one
Well I’m not really into having heroes, but the first name that poped into my mind was Pierre Hermé, because he’s one of my Pastry Gods! I wouls ask him: Wanna hire me? Lol! Also I would to star seeing holiday stuff here. Thanks!
I love to find out the story behind my hero, besides what they are immediately known for, so I would ask, besides cake decorating, baking, etc., what is your passion?
I love Pretty Party Cakes AND Peggy Porschen, and I can’t wait to get my hands on her new book! How cool that you got to interview her!
A question to my hero: What hardships or obstacles did you have to overcome in order to accomplish your goals?
And to Marian: How on earth do you keep your hands so steady?!?!?!?
I’m a total beginner and am now fascinated with cookies. I would love to see more great cookie recipes, royal icing (I know you use PP and A.) more simple techniques for starters on how to wow the cookie. Love your beautiful cookies! Inspiring to me!
I feel like cake heros even have bad days…I’d ask what was the most stressful cake or blunder and how did they recover?
more tutorials please? ;0)
i think it would be kool to interview bakerella!
Love the interview! Thank you! Would like to see some cookie decorating for the holidays. I’m new to the cookie/cake decorating world so I don’t know who I would like to see interviewed. Maybe someone who could help with newbie’s giving advice and step by step instructions.
Krystal
I loved reading this interview! Peggy is certainly one inspiring lady. I’d love to see an interview with a French pastry chef!
First of all congratulations for your page
I would like to see a tutorial about chritmas cookies decoration. Thank u
Hi Marian, I’d love to hear from some Canadian artists such as Andrea’s Sweetcakes or Icing Dreams.
Hi Marian, thanks for the awesome giveaway! I would ask my hero about their biggest lesson they learned in life. I believe we all have something to learn from someone else’s experiences.
I would love to see Sweet and Saucy Shop on your blog. She is amazing and did the cookies that Oprah gave to Ellen in her show.
Thanks!
I would love to see Bronwen Weber or Mary Maher featured. I love them both! I think I would be interested in what they have found to be most useful to them in decorating among a million other questions. I love the Peggy Porschen interview also! Thanks!
I would ask my hero if they needed a sidekick
Also, I am obsessed with lace looking cookies, sugar sandwich cookies with jams in the middle…any cookies with beautiful intricate detail.
My question to my hero would be, what inspires you?
Wow. this is a great interview, and looks like an awesome book.
One thing I’d ask my hero is “what keeps you motivated during times of adversity?”
I am the mom of a very energetic toddler who loves to “help” in the kitchen. I would love to see some kid-friendly Christmas cookie ideas on Sweetopia!
I would love to see an interview with Andrea Sullivan of Andrea’s Sweetcakes in Brampton Ontario. I have only recently discovered her work and from what information I can find on her, she has only been decorating cakes for a few years (since 07) and is self taught.
I just love her work, it is so colorful, whimsical and fun. She has recently been invited to be a guest instructor at the N& 2010 cake convention
I would love to see more tutorials of cake decorating and more of just about anything. I love this site. It has so much information! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would ask what they wish they knew when they were just starting out.
I enjoyed the article so much! I’d actually love to see an interview with Kerry Vincent!
I love Peggy’s work also. I would love if you get an interview with Tobba Garrett. In regards to your blog, I’m always so amazed of your generosity to share tips and recipes that will help us make amazing sweets. I would like to see more tutorials, maybe on the KopyKakes
and how you achieve to get such a beautiful cookies.
Stunning workmanship. A wonderful interview ~ !
I would love to see a super beginner oriented tutorial of fondant! I have always wanted to try a fondant cake, but have been slightly intimidated. I’m sure you would do a wonderful tutorial!
I absolutely love her cakes and would be thrilled to win her book.
I would love to see more how to’s on this site. They are very helpful.
Great interview, Marian! I just love Peggy Porschen’s work and I love yours too! For your next interview, I would like to hear from Anne Heap cake designer of Pink Cake Box. Thanks, and keep up the great work – I get very excited when I receive an email notifying me of your new post!
So glad that you got to interview your favourite decorator…..she seems simply wonderful….I want that book! I would ask that person, “How did they manage to finally take that giant leap forward to fulfill thier dreams?”
Great interview! I love those Silhoutte cookies so much, I have to make those! Beautiful!
I would love to see more tutorials. You’ve been so helpful with those. I’m new to this site and decorating cookies and I’m having so much fun!
I would ask my hero who her hero is
I love Peggy Porschen’s work! I have her Pretty Party Cakes book and often refer back to it for ideas!
I would love to see an interview with Elisa Nicole Strauss. Another one of my favorites!
Great interview! I would love, love, love to see Paris Cutler from Planet Cakes featured! She’s my own personal inspiration and Planet Cakes inspired me to decorate cakes.
Fabulous interview with Peggy Porschen. I would love to see an interview with Debbie Brown. I just love the fun themed cakes she does. I find her intructions easy to follow.
I would love for you to talk to Jacques Torres. His chocolate designs and artistry are amazing. I think chocolate sculptures would be wonderful on top of a cake or the sides.
Great Interview Marian!
My question to my hero would be ‘What is the biggest factor that drives your work/art?’
Thank you for the GREAT interview! Her creations are Amazing!! I would love to see you interview Linda Pawsey. She is SOOOO creative! I think the idea of more interviews is such a great idea.
Thanks again for the oppurtunities you grant us! Your blog ROCKS!!
Hi: I just found your website from cake central. I would also like to see more Christmas cookies done on your website. I have both of Peggy’s books and would most definitely love to have her new book. I was looking forward to getting it in Oct and then the date changed to April. This would truly make my day if I was awarded her new book with her signature in it. This is a great website and I hope it just gets better and better. This makes me more determine than ever to make me one day be able to do this full time. xxxVicki0052
The more tutorials the better… I would love to see more tutorials. I love Sweetopia!
I absolutely love your site! I would love to see you interview Bronwen Weber or Debbie Brown.
A friend from work forwarded me your site. I love it. You are very talented! In fact, we are neighbours! I live in Toronto. I just did a course at The Bonnie Gordon School of Cake Design and anyone who can, should attend. Have fun at the course. I think that should be your next post. When I did the course, Bonnie was kind enough to allow me to blog about it. I don’t see why you couldn’t do the same. Check out my experience making designer cupcakes at http://melssweettreats.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html
HI Marian,
Thanks for a lovely interview and for inspiring the masses. My question to Peggy would be ” what advise would you give to someone starting out and define success?” Thanks to you Marain, Peggy is now one of my heroine’s, and if I win her book I can take it off my santa list.
P.S I’d love to see interviewed Ron Ben Israel or Fayhe Cahill.
Congrats Marian for the interview!
I actually also got the chance to interview someone. I got to interview Stevie Famulari from the Food Network.
I would love you to feature Ron Ben Israel.
I would love to see some 3D pieces… I have some cookie cutters that are 3D… but I would love to see a Christmas sleigh by you or something of the sort. More tutorials too. As a teacher I find your tutorials very easy to follow, precise and they work!
Thank you….
I am now an eager fan of Peggy’s books and will be asking Santa for one. Which one would you suggest for a beginner who dabbles in gingerbread houses?
I love your site and I love Peggy! I would ask her: What advice would she give someone interested in starting a bakery?
Thanks for the giveaway and thanks for taking time to inspire us on your blog with your beautiful creations!
I love seeing all the new sweet treats published here, and reading the how-to guides really helps.
I would love to see more of your cookie creations! I love seeing what you come up with. It seems like you push the edge of sweet-art. Please, more decorated cookies!
I would love to see a tutorial on sweetopia on how to do a carved cake…I love your blog
I loved your interview with Peggy!
I would absolutely love to see you feature Nancy Didion of Nancy’s Fancy Cookies. Her cookies are breathtaking!
I have a question for you, since you are my cookie hero. How did you get started in baking and decorating?
I think it would be cool to see one of your inspirations. You have such a unique style in terms of cookie decorating. I would like to know who inspired you. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would ask the authors of “Cooke Craft” whether they will be making another book.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to see more interviews with decorators about their creative process. I found this a great read
Ohhhhh..hmmm…I’m a fan of Ace of Cakes and I’d definitely ask Duff what kind of cake he would want for a special occassion…and who would he have make it!
Such a great interview Marian! Thanks
I live in Minneapolis. One of the shops that do sell cakes like that is Gateaux Inc. I would ask them how they got started and what is their secret to creating such beautiful and unique cakes.
I enjoyed reading the interview. So cool that you actually got to meet her.
Maybe you could interview Bakerella. That’d be fun!
Wow! You met Peggy Porschen. That’s so cool. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Great interview! I love hearing about how people got started in the business. I would ask the question, what keeps you going when the times get tough?
Thanks for doing the interview with Peggy….Christmas Cookies please.
First, I love your blog, sweetopia. Just did my first cake using fondant, for my granddaughter’s first birthday party. I was pleased of the turn out and searching for ideas on your website helped. Love Peggy’s interview. I need her book. One of her heros,Ron Ben Israel. I hope I win. And again thanks.
Great interview! I discovered Peggy Porschen recently when her beautiful book caught my eye at the bookstore. She’s amazing and her work is definitely right up my alley in terms of style. Keep them coming! I’m still new at cake decorating as I’m more of a baker while I delve into my creative side so more tutorials pls pls esp ones on sugar flowers. Been hunting for a great tutorial to create those big blooming roses ; )
Thanks XX
I would love to see some more things about sugar flowers. i love prggys work!
I like to know more about cake decorating techniques in simplified ways with minimum tools. What would be your advise for someone with great passion to bake & decorating to start a shop, however with minimum capitals? Any plans for Peggy Porschen workshop?
Hi! love your blog! I would frame this book if I win it!! haha.. I would really like to see more tutorials in cake decorating
Thanks,
Nilda
I would love to ask some of my cake heroes how they got started and what inspires them everyday!
I am a beginner cookie & cupcake decorator, so I would like to see more decorating tips for festive cookies and cupcakes. Love your site
I LOVE your site! And next I would love to see holiday cookies on sweetopia. I use your ideas as inspiration for my own cookies that I decorate and give to family and friends so it would be great to see more of your creativity!
Oh how badly I want to win a contest! This book is making me foam at the mouth!
Honestly, I think WOuld be kind of cool to feature unknowns on your blog like a lot of the Flickr-ers that read here. This is a good place to get a little exposure for their work and blogs, although I might be a bit biased, LOL!
What a great interview! Those cakes are too pretty for words! I’d love to see some ideas for decorating Christmas cookies…maybe even someone who makes copper cookie cutters that are unique, etc.
I would LOVE to see more cookie tutorials! I think your use of color and design are amazing and I want more more more!
Oh, that book looks just amazing!!!
I’d like to have you interview Martha.
Hi you are amazing. I would like to see bakerella interviewed next.
Love, love your site! Just recently found you!! Lots of stuff to browse! I’d like to see everyday folks featured that have created their own little business…that’s what I’m interested in hearing about…what inspired them…how they got started…etc! Thanks so much!
Thanks for the opportunity to win the book.
I’d love to see you interview Callye of The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle. She is amazing!
I love Peggy Porschen. I have her book pretty party cakes and can’t wait to get her new one!
At this time I would like to see more of decorating Christmas cookies.
I really enjoyed the interview. Peggy has been a great inspiration for me too.
I would like to ask my “cake heroes” how long it took them to become really good decorators. I know it’s subjective, but as a beginner I’m sometimes a little frustrated at my inability to turn my ideas into reality. I know it just takes practice, and I’ll get there one day
I just love all the cookies on sweetopia. I can’t wait to see more Christmas ones!
I would ask my hero who inspired them to do what they do.
I would ask…was it all worth it?…on her death bed
What a wonderful interview with Peggy Porschen!! I know she doesn’t give many interviews so this was a real treat!! I have many cake heroes but if I could ask any of them anything it would be “what advice would you give to someone new in the sugar arts?” I’ve seen that question posed more than once and I always find the answers very interesting and inspiring. Thanks again for a lovely interview with Peggy!!
If I could choose something to have on Sweetopia, it’d definitely be more cookie tutorials. I can’t get enough of them!!
I’d love to see more in-depth cookie decorating tutorials! Yours are simply gorgeous!
Oh, and Peggy’s books have been on my “must have” list for some time now
If I could ask my hero a question, I’d ask them, “who is your inspiration?”
Thank you for your amazing blog!!!
I would love to see more video tutorials on Sweetopia. Keep up the good work!
I would like to see more tutorials on cookie decorating or cake decorating. Especially on how to apply the Disco Dust. Your site is the best.
I would love to see more of your lovely cookies on the blog!
As far as I can recall Peggy Porschen was my first inspiration. I keep her books on my nighttable and don’t ever get bored of looking through them. I would ask her if I can move in for a month and follow her around. I would also love to see you interview Mich Turner, I am quite fond of her as well. It’s nice to get a more personal look at our “heroes”. Thanks for the chance.
I would love to see Mary Maher featured here!
It would be nice to see a Christmas ornament cookie tutorial.
i would ask Elizabeth Kubler Ross where she found the strength to do what she did.
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Hello everyone!! I would like to ask my cake hereo if he ever gets fustrated, and what he does to relax when something goes wrong with a cake. I guess I could use it as inspiration
I’d love to see a feature on Bronwen Weber.
Thank you for interviewing Ms. Porschen. She is my cake idol! I was wondering… when did Ms. Porschen start baking/decorating. Was this something she knew she wanted to do since she was little? It would be fun to see some pictures of her earlier cakes and cookies (i.e. when she was a child/ teen).
I would love to see some unique ideas for holiday cookies!
The question i would ask my hero is “When you first decided to start your business, what major fear did you have and how did you overcome it?”
Awesome Interview!!!!!
Happy Baking and Decorating,
Chef Angie
Great interview! I would ask my hero if when they wake up in the morning, are they content with where they are in their life, or do they strive for more even though they are considered a hero, a role model, and a huge success?
I love Peggy Porschen! I would love for you to interview Sharon Zambito (SugarEd) sometime.
I would ask when they realized their gift. Did they always love to cook? Did a parent love to cook? I am always interested in knowing how they found the talent and gift and how they made it into something so successful
Hi
Thank you so much for this, I love your cookies and I really want to see how you use kopykace for your cookies .
I never win enything in my life and I hope for this
I’d love to see ideas\tutorials on holiday cookies!
I’d like to see tutorials for using gum paste accents on cookies!
Martha Stewart
Hi Miriam!
Just popped over to your HAPPY blog for the first time!
Oh My Goodness!
So delighted! Feel like I have just taken a dive into The Wonderful World of all Things Sweeeet!
So happy to add your adorable button to my blog!
Thanks for sharing and I will be spending lots of time here in this happy place!
XXOOXXX
I enjoyed your interview with Peggy Porschen, she’s one of my ‘idols’. I was certain i’d receive Pretty Party Cakes for my birthday but alas I didn’t receive it.
Well, i’d love to read an interview with any of the following (my ‘idols’): May Clee-Cadman of Maisie Fantasie, Paris Cutler of Planet Cake or Debbie Brown.
I would love to see an interview with Mike McCarey!
hi! i’m one of your silent fans
. I came across your site when i was searching for a good royal icing technique and have been following ur site ever since. all your tutorials and tips are so brilliant, and i cant wait to learn more.
.
there are a lot of things i would like to see in your blog. and cant possibbly list them all here
perhaps, some tips and step by step tutorials on baking and decorating cupcakes/ mini cakes for wedding favors? if that is not too much to ask for
I love this interview! And what cute little cakes (on the cover!) Love them! I saw a few others, and I’d have to agree Mary Maher would be a great feature! Her cakes are so beautiful and fun!
Great interview with Peggy Porschen! I’d love to see more links to where you get your tools and supplies.
I’d like to see some holiday cookies featured next on Sweetopia. I can’t wait to see what you make!
I’d love to see Debbie Brown or Lindy Smith!
i would love to see a tutorial on different frosting techniques.. and also one on fondant..
I just thought of who I would want to see featured! Melody Brandon of Sweet and Saucy! I ♥ HER!!!
I’m very thankful that I stumbled upon this website. I love the Peggy Porchen interview, I recently got her first books and WOW! I’m so blown away its very much inspiring. I love Sweetopia too! Love all the tutorials, they are very informative. I would love to see more Christmas themed designs! I love love love Christmas and a big cookie monster and a Christmas themed cookie will definitely be soooooooo fun!
I would ask you – do you really eat the disco dust. I want to use it so much.
Also I love the whimsical bakehouse crew.
Hi – Great comp ! I would love to see an interview with some staff from successful bakeries – how do they deal with their high profile bosses and hear some of their stories about what its like to work there.
Thanks !
I would love to see Collette Peters interviewed!
I am a new follower, and love your stuff, i cant wait until one of my grandsons next birthday parties, what fun! I dont know who because like i said i feel in love with your site, but i am off to check out some of the other post above and those sites. Thanks again for giving me some fantatic ideas, interview Bakerella or Melody Brandon
I would love to see more tutorials also – perhaps a how-to using non-fondant cake decorating methods? I always have trouble when I use marzipan to make little decorations – and honestly, i’ve never had much luck with modeling chocolate. Maybe some hints and tips?
Hey, good interview.
Why don’t you interview Bakerella
I’d love to see snowflake shaped sugar cookies! (maybe a how to)
I would love to see more “how-to” tutorials on how you make some of your awesome cookies and definitely show us some of your gingerbread houses. I’m dying to tackle that one myself and with Christmas coming up, it would be the perfect time.
Bronwyn Weber –
And I’d like more how to tutorials too!
I would love to see Elisa Strauss featured.
I would have 1000000 of those. You arean artist
LOVE ROGINE
Hi Marian,
I saw the Simply Spectacular Cakes book on Book Depository US for a good discount. It’s coming out in April 2010 (this month!) and I was also going to get Cake Chic or Pretty Party Cakes but after reading this post I am confused. Is this new book the essentially the same as Cake Chic?
Following your recommendations, I’m really interested in picking up one or two of Peggy Porschen’s books but I find many of her covers look the same. Does this mean that they are the same book but adjusted for different markets? I would really hate to double up.
I’m originally from Australia so I prefer metric measurements.
BTW, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your piping work.
P.S. I’m always buying books especially cookbooks and this Aussie website helps me compare book prices within Oz and around the world. Not sure if it might be useful to you and your readers. It’s good for all types of books.
http://www.booko.com.au/
Hi bubble&squeak,
Thanks for your indepth input!
Simply Spectacular Cakes is also known as Cake Chic.
Romantic Cakes is also known as Beautiful Cakes.
Pretty Party Cakes is known only by that name.
Happy shopping!
Marian
Thank so much, Marian!
You’ve certainly cleared things up for me.
Happy Easter!