Do you know Karen Portaleo? Oh, right, of course you do. How could you not? She is so outrageously talented: she has been on Food Network Challenge (four times), Halloween Wars, and Cake Wars- winning all but one; and her client list includes Sir Elton John, Usher, Jane Lynch, T-Pain, Demi Moore, Andrew Young, Kasim Reed, AMC's The Walking Dead, The Cartoon Network, Coca Cola, Delta Airlines, Turner Broadcasting, CNN, The Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, The Atlanta Opera, Georgia Public Broadcasting, The W Hotel, and Westin Hotels.

WOW.

Karen has taught classes on cake sculpting and modeling chocolate throughout the world, but she calls Atlanta, Georgia home...  Just like Chef Nicholas. For years Chef Nicholas has wanted to host one of Karen's classes in our very own Studio B. Sadly, when you have two superstars of the cake world, scheduling can be a bit tricky. But, it seems that the wait is over!

FINALLY, and proudly, I am happy to announce that Karen Portaleo will be teaching at the International Sugar Art Collection on December 5-6, 2016! Hooray!

In Karen's class, students will not only finish a lovely Santa Cake (see photo above) that can be used as a center piece to Holiday Celebrations, they will learn a great many techniques! Such as:

-Sculpting faces

-Working with modeling chocolate

-Painting on modeling chocolate

-Cake structure and armatures

-Draping and working with fondant

-Painting on fondant

-Using molds and cutters

While Karen will be demonstrating a specific color pallet for her Santa, students are encouraged to take the techniques they are learning and get creative with their Santa! This class will be informative and FUN!

This is a two-day class and a light lunch will be provided.

I cannot wait for this class, and this Santa is coming just in time for the holidays! When Chef Nicholas and I were discussing this class last week, he said it best, "This class is the ultimate holiday gift for sugar artists." I don't disagree- why not give yourself the gift of this class, or surprise your favorite cake decorator with a seat in this class! And after the class, you will be sure to impress all of your holiday guests with the Santa that you have created. 

If you'd like to sign up for Karen Portaleo's Santa class just click here! We can't wait to see you in class..

Sweetly yours, 

Stephanie

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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. 

Lauren Kitchens = Cake Coolness

Ok, Lauren Kitchens is not my best friend (yet). I may or may not have only met her this week, but let me tell you something- she is awesome. She's friendly, down to earth, HILARIOUS, and she makes the coolest freaking cakes!  This week, Lauren graced ISAC with her cake making super-powers. She joined forces with our resident super hero, Chef Nicholas, to teach students how to make a Modern Marie Antoinette cake, and yesterday she taught 13 lucky students how to make a Yoda cake! I was able to sit in on both classes, and seriously... they were so much fun! I'm actually pretty jealous I didn't actually get to MAKE either the Marie Antoinette or Yoda cakes. Sad day. However, I got to hang out with Lauren, her assistant Jessie, and all of the amazing students in both of the classes, so I'm still counting it as a win! If you would like to see some of the process shots from the Modern Marie Antoinette and Yoda classes, please check out our facebook page: www.facebook.com/ChefNicholasLodge