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.
[email protected]
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/5757736662
[email protected]
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.
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?”