"Madagascar" Cake Entry at the ICCA Novelty Cake Competition 2011

This is my "Madagascar" themed cake that I designed and submitted as entry at the ICCA Novelty Cake Competition 2011 held at the Mines International Exhibition Centre on June 9th to 12th. The panel of judges consisted of  Rosalind Chan (founder of ICCA and renowned cake designer from Canada), Chef Wan (celebrity chef and 'Food Ambassador of Malaysia') and Master Chef Tan See Fong. The cake earned a "Highly Commendable" title as one of the top entries in the competition. 

"Madagascar" themed cake with beach scene in the foreground and desert oasis scene in the background.

Alex the Lion lazing atop the taller sand rock!

Self proclaimed 'king of the lemurs' King Julien (top) is standing jubilant atop the lower sand rock, together with his second in command,  Maurice (bottom)!

Gloria the Hippo and Melman the Giraffe relaxing by the rock pool and flashing their gorgeous eyelashes at the crowd!

Marty the Zebra resting by the rock pool!

Madagascar penguins, Rico (left) and Kowalski (right) keeping an eye out for danger at the beach front!

Madagascar penguins, Skipper (left) and Private (right) on the look out at the beach front!

Beach scene. The judges loved the watery effect of the 'sea'.

Highly Commendable!

Calvin's Madagascar Penguins

Made these cute sugar penguins especially for my dear friend Calvin who loves cartoons and especially, the "Madagascar Penguins" show. However, I borrowed them and they landed up on my "Madagascar" cake entry at the ICCA Novelty Cake Competition!

Madagascar Penguins in a row. From left: Rico, Kowalski, Skipper and Private.

Madagascar Penguins in a row.

Private in salute!

Skipper is watchful with his binoculars!

Kowalski thinking up a storm!

Rico is awesome with his mallet!

Positioned on my "Madagascar" cake entry at the ICCA Novelty Cake Competition.

Don't worry Calvin, you will definitely get them back. : )

"Celebrate Life" Figurine for A Cake Decorating Challenge

I was among 14 finalists for the Star Online Kuali Cake Decorating Challenge recently. The challenge was to complete decorating a cake with frosting and decorative items given during the challenge in one hour. The theme given for this challenge was "Celebrate Life" and as contestants were allowed to bring along their own decorations, I made this figurine of a joyful, rejoicing girl throwing up her arms to embrace life.

Here's a short video clip of the challenge. See if you can spot me and my cake!

My "Celebrate Life" sugar art figurine

My inspiration was this garden statue (right)

Arms outstretched to embrace life

Hand painted motives on her dress

A ring of tiny blossoms in her hair

My completed cake in one hour

My prize? A 'one on one' cake decorating session with Hotel Istana's award winning pastry chef, Chef Kumaran,  for being among the top 6!