Tomorrow is September first. The year is beginning to wind down now that the lazy summer days are at an end. Chef Nicholas will only be teaching three more classes at our location in Georgia this year. Not only are there three Nicholas Lodge classes left, there are also only three classes left taught by visiting instructors in Studio B! Don't fret, there is still time to sign up for a class with us at ISAC before the year is out!
This October Chef Nicholas is thrilled to be attending not one, but TWO fantastic cake and sweets shows: the Show Me Sweets Edible Art and Cake Competition and Canada's Baking and Sweets Show. This will be the first time that Chef Nicholas attends either of these shows, and is excited to bring his skills and expertise to the attendees. Chef Nicholas will be offering seminars at both shows, and the best news? Chef Nicholas seminars are free!*
The Renshaw Love Color Chart is amazing. So amazing that I featured it in last week's blog. Well, I decided to come back today, (yes, before our normal Thursday post), to give you all a gift. In this blog post you will find downloadable PDFs for the entire Renshaw Love Color Chart!! YAY! But wait, there is more!
You will also find the 2017 Renshaw Product Guide. This handy dandy little book showcases all the products you know and love from Renshaw, but also introduces some beautiful, bright new colors and tool! The Renshaw Product Guide also includes some cake decorating tips that I'm sure you all will find helpful.
2017 Renshaw Americas Product Guide
I hope you are all able to download both files, and use them to their full potential! There is a wealth of information here, and I don't want anyone to miss out!
Sweetly yours,
Stephanie
WINNER of the 2017 Golden Tier Educator of the Year Award
Winner of the 2015 Craftsy Blogger Award for Best Craftsy Cake Decorating Instructor Blog
Chef Nicholas Lodge: 2015 Finalist for the Cake Masters Cake Hero Award.
Monday marked Chef Nicholas Lodge's International Sugar Art Collection's 25th Anniversary. Chef Nicholas, Scott, and the rest of the ISAC family are incredibly proud of this achievement. Thank you to everyone who sent flowers, cards, texts, messages, and came to celebrate with us last weekend and Monday. The outpouring of support and well-wishes meant so very much to Chef Nicholas and Scott. ISAC is here because of their hard work and dedication. They have dedicated themselves to bettering the sugar arts world, and I think they have done just that. Scott asked that I share some of the photos from this weekend here on the blog. I hope you all enjoy!
Thank you again to everyone who helped make the ISAC 25th Anniversary weekend a great success! We, the entire ISAC family, truly appreciate all the love and support our students, clients, friends, and family have shown these past 25 years. Thank you for helping Chef Nicholas and Scott to this place!
ISAC 25th Anniversary Fun Fact: In 2007, Chef Nicholas and Scott host the first Spring Open House event!
Sweetly yours,
Stephanie
Don't just follow our blog! Follow Chef Lodge on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
WINNER of the 2017 Golden Tier Educator of the Year Award
Winner of the 2015 Craftsy Blogger Award for Best Craftsy Cake Decorating Instructor Blog
Chef Nicholas Lodge: 2015 Finalist for the Cake Masters Cake Hero Award.
Hello friends! I needed to add a correction to the blog!
In-house, Chef Nicholas Lodge classes for the remainder of 2017 are included in the 25% off sale. To secure the 25% off special pricing, you must register for the classes in person at our store, or over the phone: (800)-662-8925.
In addition, the International Sugar Art Collection 25th Anniversary - Part 1 video is now working correctly on the blog. Below the video you find a link to International Sugar Art Collection 25th - Part 2.
In just two days ISAC will celebrating our 25th Anniversary with a party at our Norcorss, Georgia retail gallery and school! There will be giveaways and prizes, a raffle, and... drum roll please.....
25% OFF THE ENTIRE STORE*!!!
*In stock items only, no speical orders, no layaway. Applies to physical store location only, excludes items on website. In-house Nicholas Lodge classes ARE included in the sale; must call to register for the special pricing.**
Well. I have been mentioning for months that the Nicholas Lodge International Sugar Art Collection is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. On July 17, 1992, Chef Nicholas and Scott opened the doors to ISAC, and here we are 25 years later ready to celebrate this momentous occasion. I mentioned last week that only one third of small business make it past the 10 year mark; only one quarter make it past the 15 year mark. Well, ISAC blew past 15 years TEN years ago! This is a very big deal to the entire ISAC family. All of our hard work and dedication has always been for our loyal fan base.
Because ISAC would not have made it this far without our students, customers, clients, friends, and families, Chef Nicholas and Scott are hosting an anniversary party at our Norcross, GA retail gallery and school! There will be yummy refreshments, and some fun prizes and giveaways!
Last weekend, Chef Nicholas and Scott were up in New York City for the NY Cake Show, the Golden Tier Awards, and a Renshaw Difference demo at the Chefs Warehouse. Oh, and it was Chef Nicholas' birthday too! It was a big weekend. Even BIGGER and BETTER because Chef Nicholas was nominated for one of the inaugural Golden Tier Awards: The Albert Kumin Educator of the Year Award!
Chef Nicholas has been traveling A LOT. I really cannot say it enough- the man is a machine. He recently had a break from traveling and got some time to relax here at home in Atlanta. He had quality time with Scott, got time to tend his amazing garden, and most importantly we were able to finalize his teaching schedule for the remainder of 2017! Yay!
Chef Nicholas is wasting no time- there are three classes in June. Yes, I realize that is next month! It's never too late to sign up!
Rolled Fondant Techniques with PME Certification is being offered June 17-19th. This class is one of longtime favorites. It's great for both beginnings in rolled fondant, but also helps old pros strengthen their skills! This course is a PME certification course; if you are interested in earning the PME Master Certification and diploma, this course is one of the three necessary modules. Due to the high demand for this class, it will be offered a second time, September 23-25, 2017.
Chef Nicholas will next teach two flower courses back to back: Exotic & Tropical Flowers, and Exotic & Tropical Orchids. Both of these classes are two day classes (June 24-25 and June 26-27, respectively). Flowers included in the Exotic & Tropical Flowers class will include: Hibiscus, Plumeria, Bird-of-Paradise, Bougainvillea, Anthurium and White Ginger. Tropical foliage will also be included. This class is one my favorites- I just love tropical flowers, and watching the students create these gorgeous flowers always makes me want to kick back on the beach with a strawberry daiquiri!
The Tropical & Exotic Orchid class is perfect for those of you who make bridal shower and wedding cakes; orchids are a favorite wedding flower! In this two day class, students will maximize their time and create seven different orchids under Chef Nicholas' instruction: Vanda, Miltonia (pansy), Slipper, Phaleaenopsis (moth orchid), oncidium, Phaius, and Epidendrum.
July 8-12, 2017, Chef Nicholas will be teaching his 5-Day Ultimate Gumpaste Flower class with PME Certification. This could be Chef Nicholas' most popular class. It is intense, students will learn a total of 18 different flowers. That works out to more than three new flowers each day of class! What flowers are included, you ask? Well, let me share: The Ultimate Rose, Stargazer Lily, Calla Lily, Cattleya Orchid, Cymbidium Orchid, Dendrobium Orchid, Gardenia, Gerber Daisy, Lizianthus, Hydrangea, Stephanotis, Lily of the Valley, Sweet Peas, Carnations, Daisies, Eucalyptus, Ferns, and Ivy. Where appropriate, buds and leaves will be included. Oh, and it is a PME Certification class; it is one of the three modules needed for the Master Certification and diploma. Due to the popularity of this class, it will be offered again September 9-13, 2017.
If you want to learn how to be amazing with royal icing, you can sign up for Three Day Advanced Royal Icing with PME Certification, August 19-12, 2017. During this class students will learn color flow, run-out, Wedgwood style figure piping, lace and filigree, Lambeth and English-style border work and string work. Students will learn the finer points of how to smoothly coat a cake with royal icing. Many different styles and techniques in this class can only be described as supremely elegant. Please note: Students attending this class must have attended the 3-Day Rolled Fondant Techniques Class with Nicholas Lodge, as the Advanced Royal Icing Techniques class will build upon skills and techniques learned during the Rolled Fondant Techniques Class.) As with the other PME Certification classes, this is one of the modules needed to earn the Master Certification and diploma. This class is also being offered a second time, September 26-28, 2017. This will directly follow the Rolled Fondant Techniques class, a perfect opportunity to take both classes back to back!
Finally, Chef Nicholas is teaching Fall in Gumpaste, August 26-27, 2017. I absolutely love the rich jewel tone colors of the fall flowers and foliage in this class. In this class students will create seasonal fall flowers, berries, fruits and leaves: Maple Leaves, Japanese Maple Leaves, Oak Leaves, Acorns, Blackberry, Chrysanthemums, Buckeyes, Chinese Lanterns and Fall Berries. My favorite are the Chinese lanterns; they are so delicate and papery looking- even though they are made out of gumpaste!
Well, I hope that you all see a class, or classes, that you are interested in signing up for! We have had loads of requests for PME certification classes, so I expect to see lots of your sunshiny faces soon!
Oh, and who wants to know the winners of last week's blog contest for the ProGel and edible Food Art Pen?! Without further ado, the winner of the ProGel is:
Mary Thompson!
"I would love to try the red pro gel color. I make many, many French Macarons and red is a hard color to achieve. I would love i.e. To see how this color stands up against other brands. I have used the pens and I love them!!"
The winner of the Food Art Pen is:
Shupan Abraham
"I would love, love, love, to try the edible food art pen. I make x-box game controller cakes weekly. For one of the buttons, I have to make a round ball of fondant, paint it silver and put an 'x' on the top. Currently, the edible writing pens that I have don't make a defined 'x' on the ball. So, I have had to use a brush with some vodka and black power color to paint the 'x' on the top of the ball. I would like to try the edible food art pen to see if they would make my life just a little easier."
Thank you to everyone who entered, and congratulations to both winners! I cannot wait to hear what you think of the new colors!
ISAC 25th Anniversary Fun Fact: In 2001, Chef Nicholas Lodge is inducted into the ICES Cake Decorator Hall of Fame. He is the youngest person to ever receive this prestigious award.
Sweetly yours,
Stephanie
Don't just follow our blog! Follow Chef Lodge on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Finalist for the 2017 Golden Tier Awards Educator of the Year
Winner of the 2015 Craftsy Blogger Award for Best Craftsy Cake Decorating Instructor Blog
Chef Nicholas Lodge: 2015 Finalist for the Cake Masters Cake Hero Award.
Eighteen years ago, in 1999, Chef Nicholas published the first edition of Potpourri of Flowers. That book contained fifteen beautiful, life-sized gumpaste flowers. This book was to be the first of a trilogy of textbooks Chef Nicholas authored on gumpaste flowers. In 2014, New Trends in Sugar Flowers was released, and just last year in 2016, Spring & Summer Flowers in Gumpaste was released as the final book of the trilogy. While all three of these books have been extremely popular as instructional guides for making botanically accurate sugar flowers, Potpourri of Flowers has always stood out among the three.
Who doesn't love a pair of sexy designer stiletto heels? Or how about a sophisticated designer purse? Nothing. Well... unless it's designer heels and purses that you CAN EAT! If you were at our Spring Open House you may remember seeing the gorgeous purses that Chef Nicholas made with chocolate and gumpaste (he also showed the mold for the stiletto heel). These high quality molds will give you spectacular results every time! For those of you NOT at Spring Open House, I bet you'd love to see some photos of these fabulous heels and purses. Yep, I thought so!
Let's start with the clutch purse. Perfect for a hot night out on the town, or maybe topping a cake for a bachelorette party or 21st birthday! I love the bow detail on the front... it's just too cute. If clutch purses aren't your bag (ha, pun intended!), and you want a more casual style, may I suggest the bamboo handle bag!
Need a purse to take shopping in a swanky beachside resort? This bamboo handled purse is perfect for you! If you were lucky enough to be at our Spring Open House then you were able to see Chef Nicholas demo this purse in red gumpaste.
The final purse available should look very familiar to you. It was designed to evoke a very popular and famous designer bag. So... do you recognize it? ;) The initials LV are brought to mind. Chef Nicholas did not demo this at Spring Open House, but he did make one in chocolate as a display piece... and it was BEAUTIFUL! His gold detail
So, we have covered all three designer bags. If you would like to purchase any of them, just click the photos above to be taken to our online shop! Now, you know that every great bag needs the perfect pair of shoes to complete the look. What about the perfect pair of LB inspired stiletto pumps?! I drool over the photo regularly, specficially the glittery pair in the back. I have to remind myself these are not real shoes and I cannot wear them. If you put one of these babies, or a pair, on top of a cake or as a display piece your clients will be absolutely blown away by the complete realism!
I think you will all agree that the purses and shoes made from these molds are incredibly lifelike beautiful. The molds themselves are made from high quality polycarbonate with magnetic closures. These items have been selling like hotcakes since we debuted them at Spring Open House. It's not hard to see why! If you would like to purchase any of the molds, just click the photos for the link!
Oh, hey... we do have one more order of buisness before I close up shop today! The winner of last week's blog contest! I asked you all to leave a comment about Scott's new cookbook, or his delicious meals or cookies. There were lots of really lovely comments, and it was difficult to select a winner. But, a winner was selected! Congratulations to Romona Flowers!
"I had the pleasure of purchasing and getting a autographed copy of Scott's first "Lunch is Ready" cookbook while I was attending class. He is truly a man after my own heart. I looked forward to having lunch everyday while attending class. I have tried several of his recipes. I really enjoyed making his ISAC Chicken Salad and the five flavor Pound Cake (my favorite). I would like to be the winner of his second cookbook, but I may just go and purchase one!"
Romona- check your email for details on how to collect your copy of Lunch is Ready 2 by our own Scott Ewing. Thank you to everyone who entered. If you would like to purchase your own copy of Lunch is Ready 2, just click the title and you will be taken to the shop!
Sweetly yours,
Stephanie
Don't just follow our blog! Follow Chef Lodge on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Winner of the 2015 Craftsy Blogger Award for Best Craftsy Cake Decorating Instructor Blog
Chef Nicholas Lodge: 2015 Finalist for the Cake Masters Cake Hero Award.
Now that we have our 2017 Spring Open House behind us, we at ISAC are looking forward to upcoming classes we are hosting! This summer we are so excited to be hosting Stephen Benison for three classes this coming July! That's right THREE classes! What makes this even more exciting is the fact that Stephen has never taught at ISAC before, despite knowing Chef Nicholas for about 30 years. That makes this a rare educational experience. Each of Stephen's classes are one-day classes. One-day classes are perfect for those of you who don't have very flexible schedules, or may not be able to take much time off from work. Or, you could go all out and sign up for all three classes! Not a bad idea, it may be a once in a lifetime chance to learn from Stephen!
A couple of months ago, I wrote an in depth blog about each of Stephen's classes, but I just wanted to share them again quickly now that spring is here and summer is around the corner!
Beginning on Sunday July 16, Stephen is teaching his Fabulous Shoes, Hats, and Handbags class. Focusing on vintage style shoes, hats, and handbags (surprise!), Stephen's class will bring all the glitz and glamour that comes to mind when thinking of Audrey Hepburn or Downton Abbey. Also included in the price of the class is a shoe kit with cutters, formers, and step by step color instructions; a fabulous hat kit with cutters for the different brim styles, and an eight page booklet showing the construction and different styles; and a fabulous handbag cutter classic style kit, and a mini flower texture stencil.
Tools included in the Fabulous Shoes, Hats, and Handbags class
Monday, July 17 brings us Stephen's Vintage Fabric Flowers and Naked Leaves Wedding Cake class. This two-tier wedding cake that evokes antique silk. I love the ivory and gold color scheme of this cake, and just like in his Shoes, Hats, and Handbags class, students in this class will be taking home the fabric flowers stencil kit with 12 formers, one each of the swirls and sequins mini stencil textures, decorative leaves stencils, a set of “S” scroll cutters, a high grade scalpel with five blades, double leaf scroll cutter, a six inch mini turntable, and the naked leaves cutters!
Tools included in the Vintage Fabric Flowers and Naked Leaves Wedding Cake class
The final class that Stephen is teaching at ISAC is Wedding Cake Styles and Techniques, on Tuesday July 18. For this class, Stephen will be sharing design concepts and a variety of techniques and tools that his students can use to create and design their own individual wedding cakes. Just as in his first two classes, Stephen is including many tools for students to take home with them: Macintosh rose art-deco stencil, silhouette cutters, feature design cutters, triple leaf scroll, trailing leaves cutter, and stripes stencil.
Stephen recently taught this class in Canada, and shared a photo of the students with their finished cakes. There are so many different, fun, and exciting design elements. This class will be a great asset- you will come away with a lot of new ideas and techniques to add to your decorating toolbox!
Tools included in the Wedding Cake Styles and Techniques class.
Speaking of toolboxes, I want to take a quick minute and point out how great it is that students will be taking home so many tools! If a student takes all three of Stephen's classes, they will go home with nearly $300 in cake decorating tools!!! That is an absolutely incredible bonus to these fantastic classes!
Don't miss out on these three great classes offered by Stephen Benison this July. Between Stephen teaching at ISAC for the very first time and all the great tools you will come home with, these three classes are totally worth it! We all hope to see you in class this summer!
Sweetly yours,
Stephanie
Don't just follow our blog! Follow Chef Lodge on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Winner of the 2015 Craftsy Blogger Award for Best Craftsy Cake Decorating Instructor Blog
Chef Nicholas Lodge: 2015 Finalist for the Cake Masters Cake Hero Award.
As always, the blog after our latest Open House event is a photo blog! Thank you to everyone who attended our 2017 Spring Open House, thank you to Marilyn and Michele for their fabulous demos, and a big thanks to my ISAC family for putting on another great event! Our 2017 Grand Holiday Open House is open for registration, and our guests will be Tunde Dugantsi and Reva Hawk! Without further ado, please enjoy these photos from our 2017 Spring Open House and Michele Sweeney's Sew Easy Mixed Media class!
Last week we had two special blogs about the fabulous line of Creative Cake System molds by Katy Sue Designs. We were asking our readers to submit a comment for a chance to win FOUR molds from the Creative Cake System family! We had an overwhelming response, but I am excited to announce the winner of the Butterfly Trio, Serrated Rope, and Small and Medium Ruffle molds!!
Congratulations to Christine Great Banks!
"I would use the ruffle so many ways to use it to cover cakes, makes skirts for figures ruffled flowers what a great prize. Would love to have a go at the butterflies they look amazing."
Christine- please email us at customersvc@nicholaslodge.com so we can get your details and send out your great prize! We can't wait to hear what you think after you give them a try. I know you are just going to love them!!
You all left really great comments, and I think that nearly everyone was most excited about the ruffle molds! If you didn't win, there is no need to fret. We are carrying the Katy Sue Creative Cake System molds at ISAC- we got ya covered!
Congratulations again Christine, and thank you to everyone who commented. It's nice to know there are so many of you reading this blog each week!
There is still time...
If you are looking for something to do this coming Saturday (March 18, 2017), we still have several openings in each of our annual Spring Open House event! This year Chef Nicholas is joined by guest instructors Marilyn Bawol and Michele Sweeney! Marilyn will be creating and edible Easter basket, and Michele will be demonstration how to use wafer paper to decorate cookies! You can sign up online or by calling us at 1-800-662-8925.
Finally, there is also still time to sign up for Chef Nicholas' PME Master Certification Class beginning March 25! Chef Nicholas Lodge and the International Sugar Art Collection are excited to once again offer the PME certification master classes! This intense 13-day class includes all three modules of the PME certification program. Once completed students enrolled in this super class will be awarded a total of seven certificates: three certificates from Chef Nicholas Lodge, three PME module certificates, and the PME Master Certificate. The Master Certificate is awarded only upon completion of the three PME modules.
Days 1-3 (March 25-27): Rolled Fondant Techniques course - 9:00am-6:00pm
Day 4 (March 28) - Free Day for the Students to Sightsee!!
Days 5-7 (March 29-31): Advanced Royal Icing Techniques course - 9:00am-6:00pm
Day 8 (April 1): Free Day for Students with optional afternoon demonstration on cake baking, filling cakes, and working with real cakes in Studio B. This demo is included in your class tuition, but is not required if you would rather go sightseeing, sleep, etc. 1:00pm-5:00pm
Days 9-13 (April 2-6): Ultimate Gumpaste Flower course - 9:30am-5:30pm
The class tuition includes:
-Multiple booklets of handouts, recipes, etc.
-ISAC & PME aprons
-Water, soda, tea/coffee, lemonade, iced tea, lunch each day, and the ISAC signature sweet break in the afternoon.
-A celebration dinner with Chef Lodge and Staff after class on April 4.
This is the ultimate master class for any cake decorator!
This class is usually offered twice a year by Chef Nicholas. However, due to his heavy travel schedule in 2017,
THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THE PME MASTER CERTIFICATION CLASS OFFERED BY CHEF NICHOLAS IN 2017.
If you have been considering taking this course with Chef Nicholas, do not wait any longer! We still have a couple seats open, and would hate for someone to miss this opportunity!
Hope to see you all at our Spring Open House this Saturday, and maybe even in Chef Nicholas' PME Certification class too!
Sweetly yours,
Stephanie
Don't just follow our blog! Follow Chef Lodge on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Winner of the 2015 Craftsy Blogger Award for Best Craftsy Cake Decorating Instructor Blog
Chef Nicholas Lodge: 2015 Finalist for the Cake Masters Cake Hero Award.
We are just two and a half weeks away from our 2017 ISAC Spring Open House event! Hooray! On Saturday, March 18th, we are excited to be hosting two fabulous guest instructors: Marilyn Bawol and Michele Sweeney! Both of these ladies are super talented and will be giving exceptional demonstrations. You can read more about what each will do by clicking here. We are also so pleased that Michele will be teaching two fabulous classes in our Studio B: Sew Easy Mixed Medium on Sunday, March 19, and Shabby Chic Wedding Cake on Monday March 20. Yay! We can't wait for your classes Michele!
Michele Sweeney's Sew Easy Cake!
Michele's Shabby Chic Wedding Cake
There are still seats available for Open House and for both of Michele's classes, be sure to sign up soon to secure your seat!
I'll be honest, Chef Nicholas is the wild card at our Open House events. He keeps his demonstration plans a secret, even from us at ISAC, until pretty close to our Open House! I still have no idea what Chef Nicholas has in store for all of you, but Molly did tell me that he has a LOT of new and fun tools to debut at our 2017 Spring Open House. I love when Chef Nicholas is sharing new tools with everyone- he has a knack for finding the best products to use! Like the year he came back from Japan with a tiny Gingerbread House Cutter set (some of you may remember Scott used it in a Grand Holiday Open House demo a few years ago). Or when he created his EZ product line (I love that EZ release!).
Chef Nicholas demonstration rose cupcakes at last year's Open House
Yes, I think we are all in store for a treat at this year's Spring Open House as well as in Michele's two classes. We can't wait to see you all there! You can register online for our Open House and Michele's classes through our website by clicking the links above, or here.
ISAC 25th Anniversary Fact: In December 1996 ISAC enlarges its space with the addition of suite E.
Sweetly yours,
Stephanie
Don't just follow our blog! Follow Chef Lodge on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Winner of the 2015 Craftsy Blogger Award for Best Craftsy Cake Decorating Instructor Blog
Chef Nicholas Lodge: 2015 Finalist for the Cake Masters Cake Hero Award.
The categories for the 2017 SoFlo Cake Competition have been announced! Yay! Chef Nicholas was instrumental in choosing the categories and will be the lead judge! This year there will be three categories: Wedding Cakes, Theme Cakes, and Non-Cakes! Let me tell you all about it!
As many of you may now, Chef Nicholas' base of operation, the International Sugar Art Collection, is based just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It is mid-January, and here in Atlanta today the sun is shining and it is nearly 70 degrees. I don't think you can blame me for having spring on my mind! When I think of spring coming, my mind goes right to ISAC's Spring Open House!
This year our Open House will be held on March 18th, 2017. Chef Nicholas will of course be sharing his own tips and tricks for the season, but we are pleased to announce that Marilyn Bawol (of Unique Cakes) and Michele Sweeney (of Epicurean Delights) will be our guest instructors this year!
Today is January 12, 2017. This year, Nicholas Lodge has already been to Chicago, New York, and is currently on route to Orlando. We haven't even had two full weeks of 2017, and Chef Nicholas has been in four different states; I think he has clocked less than 36 hours in his home state of Georgia. No rest for the weary!
Chef Nicholas started off 2017 with a brief trip to Chicago for orientation with his newest students at the French Pastry School. By January 5th, he was in New York City for six days. A very busy six days indeed! There were meetings for the NY Cake Show, a Renshaw Difference roadshow and demo, a meet and greet and a 1-day spring flower class at NY Cake Academy. And a Renshaw Difference roadshow and demo at David Rosen Bakery Supplies. Chef Nicholas enjoyed catching up with his friends too! Of course he saw Lisa Mansour, of NY Cake, she was even sporting Nicholas Lodge green during class! Chef Nicholas had a fabulous dinner with his longtime friend Ron Ben Israel (a private chef 8-course tasting menu from Chef Ryan Lory, a competitor from Food Network's Chopped, and executive chef at Charlie Palmer Steak House). Brunched with Benny Rivera (City Cakes) and Sachiko Windbiel (mimicafe Union), and got a bunch of City Cake's famous half-pound cookies (yum. so jealous). Chef Nicholas also met with the Renshaw Americas team at the Renshaw Americas headquarters in New Jersey for a bit of team training.
Chef Nicholas and Lisa Mansour during his one-day class at NY Cake Academy.
Chef Ryan Lory, Ron Ben Israel, and Chef Nicholas!
Chef Ryan even created a dish with Nicholas Lodge Green!
Benny Rivera, Chef Nicholas, and Sachiko Windbiel.
Benny Rivera's City Cakes!
I'm not going to lie- my mouth is watering looking the City Cakes Display...
Half pound cookies! Yum!
Chef Nicholas arrived home from his whirlwind trip to the Big Apple on Tuesday night, Wednesday morning (yesterday) was spent packing up and hitting the road for Orlando, Florida! Chef Nicholas and Scott are headed to The Sweet Chalet for another Renshaw Difference roadshow and demo! On Saturday and Sunday, Chef is teaching a two-day Tropical and Exotic Flower class.
After returning for Orlando, Chef Nicholas has a little over a week break from traveling. Then he is jetting off to Chicago again; it will be time to teach his students at the French Pastry School for a few weeks. After Chicago, Chef will get to enjoy the warm sunny Caribbean weather for his trip to Puerto Rico and a Renshaw Difference demo (can you tell how popular Renshaw products are?!). I lived in the Caribbean myself, and I am VERY jealous not to be going with Chef Nicholas. I think blogging on location from the beach is just what this blog needs! Ha!
Once Chef Nicholas returns from Puerto Rico, he will be attending the Austin Cake Show in late February and CookieCon in early March. In late March Chef will be teaching his PME Master Class back with us at home (yay! finally our turn to see him!). Then he will be back to teaching at the French Pastry School in Chicago, straight to SoFlo Cake and Candy Expo, and then up to Edmonton, Canada for a week of teaching in May. Phew. I need a nap. Like I said, he never stops.
Chef Nicholas has a lot on his agenda and there are loads of people who want to learn from him and see him in action. I don't blame them- he is the best instructor out there and that's why he travels like mad.
2017 is a big year for Chef Nicholas, Scott, and ISAC. Not least because of how busy Chef Nicholas will be. No, 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of Chef Nicholas and Scott's partnership and the International Sugar Art Collection. We hope to share lots of fun experiences with you this year, and cannot wait celebrate this sweet occasion throughout the year!
Chef Nicholas and Scott celebrating 2017, and 25 years together!
Sweetly yours,
Stephanie
A few weeks ago I shared the news that Chef Joe Cumm was returning to ISAC to teach his stunning Valentine Chocolate Mini-Showpiece on February 12, 2017. Things are about to get even sweeter because Chef Kathryn Gordon will also be returning to ISAC to teach two French pastry classes on February 11, 2017! Studio B will be host to the ULTIMATE PASTRY WEEKEND this February 11-12, 2017!
Calissons by Chef Kathryn Gordon
Chef Nicholas has been judging the National Gingerbread House Competition, at the Omni Grove Park Inn, for many years (quite a few of those as lead judge). This year was no exception, but I do believe that this was the first year that judges and competitors alike needed to brave the terrible wildfires that have been affecting the area! Despite the treacherous weather conditions, there was about 150 fantastic entries this year. While Chef Nicholas lead his team of judges in selecting the winners, Scott was kind enough to take photos of the top ten finalists in each division, so that I could share them with you all!
