Nicholas Lodge's Newest Book!

I am so excited to share some wonderful news with our wonderful readers! This past weekend, at the 39th annual ICES convention in New Mexico, Chef Nicholas released his brand new book, New Trends in Sugar Flowers. This is the second book of a trilogy; the first, Potpourri of Flowers, was first published in 1999 and re-released in 2013. 

In New Trends in Sugar Flowers Chef Nicholas offers instructions for 16 beautiful and stylish flowers. Many of these flowers include variations, bringing the total number of flowers closer to 26! That is a whole lot of gumpaste flowers, my friend.  I have been trying to decide which of these flowers is my favorite so that I could feature it in this blog. However, I could not pick just one to be my favorite- I narrowed it to a field of four: David Austin Rose (the petals are opened in the most elegant way), Ranunculus (I love the luscious look of the layered petals), Parrot Tulip (I'm a sucker for tulips, and this variety is one of my favorites), and the Succulents. I have seen all four of these flowers in real life at ISAC, and I have decided that the Succulents, by a hair, are in the top spot. They look so incredibly lifelike, I don't know how Chef Nicholas does it! Actually, I do. He is insanely talented. Clearly. While the succulents have edged the other flowers as my favorite, another problems arises. There are four different succulent variations and four mini-succulent variations to choose from! Seriously, eight flowers for the price of one! Ok, I lied, I can pick my favorite. The mini-succulents- they are adorable. 

The mini-succulents!

In addition to all the great flowers that Chef Nicholas shares in this book, you will also find his Tylose Gumpaste recipe, a helpful tips and tricks section, a tool list (with photographs- so you know you always have the right tool for the job), an accessory list to make your flower making journey easier, and a free size guide. FREE! Hooray!

If you were at the ICES Convention, you probably already have a copy of New Trends in Sugar Flowers! All 100 copies of the book brought to ICES sold out!  If you haven't been able to get your hands on a copy of our newest book don't worry, we now have them available in our store and on our website here.

I hope all who went to ICES had a great time at the classes and demos, and of course enjoyed a bit of retail therapy at the ISAC booth!  While I am so sorry I missed ICES, I think I have convinced the bosses to let me come along to Pastry Live here in Atlanta, August 24-26. Yay! This will be my first big pastry show (fingers crossed I don't drive them crazy beforehand and get uninvited!), and I cannot wait to go. There will be 7 seminars, 35 pastry tastings, 6 completions, and 90 fearless competitors (check out the pdf below)! Chef Nicholas will be holding The Art of Cake seminar on August 26. The tickets are available for one or three days, and are very affordable ($20 for students, $35 for professionals- single day; $35 for students, $75 general admission for a three day pass). It's going to be so much fun, and I can't wait to see you all there!

Pastry_Live.pdf

Sweetly yours, 

Stephanie