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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!

I love my job. I love being warm. I love the beach. I love the Caribbean. It would be a GROSS underestimation to say I am upset Chef Nicholas didn't take me along to Puerto Rico with him this weekend. Chef Nicholas was attending the Pastry Lovers Fest, and after seeing the photos, well... I'm even more jealous to be missing out! I normally reserve photo blogs only for after our ISAC Open House events or the National Gingerbread competition, but I just couldn't resist! Enjoy!

Part of the Renshaw Americas Alice in Wonderland themed installation

Last week I shared that 2017 is the International Sugar Art Collection's 25th Anniversary. Beginning on Friday, July 17, 1992 Chef Nicholas taught a series of 15 one-day classes at Confectionary Yours, a cake and candy retail store in Marietta, Georgia. This was the birth of ISAC. But the catalyst for Chef Nicholas and Scott beginning their business happened much earlier in 1992.

Did you know that everything is BIG in Texas? I've never been there, but I have heard that. Oh, and I heard you shouldn't mess with Texas. With that in mind, I think that I should tell you to stop messing around and register for Chef Nicholas's Texas-Sized Sugar Flower Class at this year's That Takes the Cake- Austin Cake Show!

This year the Austin Cake Show will be February 25-26, in Round Rock, Texas; Chef Nicholas' two-day class will be held on February 26-27. Now, this class is called Texas-Sized Sugar Flowers, and I already told you everything is big in Texas; Chef Nicholas is delivering with some BIG southern flowers: peony. dahlia, southern magnolia, and fully-blown rose!

Just typing that out doesn't quite do these flowers justice. No, I have included some BIG photos of these beauties for you to admire!

The dahlia, with layers upon layers of petals

The peony with its lush, scalloped petals

The immense southern magnolia!

Finally, Chef Nicholas' signature- the fully-blown rose!

As with all of Chef Nicholas' gumpaste flower classes the appropriate buds and leaves will also be taught!  There is still time to sign up, BUT not much, the Austin Cake show is only a few weeks away!

Finally, 2017 makes the 25th Anniversary, the silver anniversary, of the Nicholas Lodge International Sugar Art Collection. Throughout the year we will be celebrating here on the blog, with new publications, and other surprises! I thought I would kick off by sharing some fun, historical ISAC tid-bits with all of you here on our blog. Thank you to all of our students, clients, friends, and family for supporting ISAC over the last 25 years!

ISAC 25th Anniversary Fact: The International Sugar Art Collection began on Friday, July 17, 1992 with a series of 15 one-day classes being taught at "Confectionery Yours," a cake and candy retail store in Marietta, GA.

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. 

All the way from the Wiltshire, England- Stephen Benison is coming to ISAC in July 2017! The best part is that he is teaching not one, not two, but THREE classes in Studio B. It is always very exciting when we host instructors visiting from abroad because our students get the rare opportunity to learn from incredible international cake artists that they may not learn from otherwise. In this case, Stephen has never taught as ISAC before, and he and Chef Nicholas have known each other for 30 years! We are even luckier because Stephen is teaching so many classes with us, and that means more students will get the chance to benefit.

So, what is Stephen going to be teaching?

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

Well everyone, here is the last blog post of 2016! I think it best to go out with a bang. Yes. People are always asking when Chef Nicholas will be coming to their town. Well, those of you in (or near) New York City and Orlando, Florida are in luck! Chef Nicholas is heading to both cities NEXT month! So, if you have Christmas money burning in your pocket, why not sign up for one of these great classes!

I have some VERY exciting news to share with all of you! Chef Joe Cumm, a longtime friend of Chef Nicholas and Scott, won Cake Wars Christmas (on the Food Network) this week! Yay! Congratulations Chef Joe and team North Star! While I am very happy for Chef Joe, I am even more happy to share that he will be teaching his Valentine Chocolate Mini-Showpiece in ISAC's very own Studio B this coming February!

 Chef Joe had originally planned to teach a chocolate showpiece class early this year (2016), but unfortunately the class had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. The class had filled up very quickly and everyone, students, Chef Joe, and the ISAC family, were all so very disappointed. When I was working with Chef Joe and Chef Nicholas to get this chocolate showpiece class arranged for February, I knew that the students who missed out last year would be thrilled to hear that the class was being offered again.

Let's talk details. The Valentine Chocolate Mini-Showpiece class with Chef Joe Cumm is a one-day class, offered on February 12, 2017. Students and Chef Joe will be discussing and playing with chocolate! Learning the different properties of chocolate, different tempering methods, and of course, ways to incorporate chocolate into cake designs! Because this is only a one-day class it will include both demonstration and hands-on chocolate work. Each student will create a mini-chocolate showpiece approximately 12-15 inches tall; some of the pieces will be premade (a necessity for a one-day class), but students will be getting their hands dirty with chocolate too! Students will also be able to express their own style in their showpiece!

This class is going to be a really fantastic opportunity for anyone who has wanted to learn more about and work with chocolate, or gain experience in showpiece construction. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Chef Joe is now the super hero winner of Cake Wars Christmas!! I just know that the tips and advice he will share with his students will be invaluable. Winning Cake Wars Christmas is a huge deal, and he won because of his incredible talent and years of experience.

Chef Joseph Cumm has been has been teaching pastry arts for the past 10 years. Chef Joe is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Johnson and Wales University where he was trained as a classical pastry chef. In 2010, he was nominated for Teacher of the Year for Two-Year colleges in the state of Virginia. He takes great pride in teaching all aspects of pastry and enjoys watching his students push themselves to levels they never knew existed. His cakes and desserts have appeared in magazines with the most recent being his victory at Pastry Lives Art of the Cake 2013 and 2015. Chef Joe was one of 10 Pastry Chefs across America that competed for US Pastry Chef of the Year 2014 and 2015. In January, he will compete for ACF – National Pastry Chef of the Year. He was 2012 winner of Food Network King of Cones Ice Cream competition. Chef Joe competes and judges regularly in national competitions where he also teaches what he has learned from schooling, fellow colleagues, and life. www.pastrychefjoe.com

So, what do you say? Ready to sign up for Chef Joe's Valentine Chocolate Mini-Showpiece class? I know you will be glad you did! 

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. 

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires will come to you!"

When you wish upon our SITE (our website that is), you can have all that your heart desires too! I am excited to tell you all about the wishlist feature on our website! You can send the list to someone who may need help giving you a gift, or you can search for a friend's wishlist to surprise them with a gift, or use it to save items you'd like to purchase later. The ISAC wishlist is very easy to use, and I am going to show you how! So... who's ready to make some wishes?! I might even be able to grant someone's wish (be sure to read through to find out how to win!).

First of all, you need to go to our website; if you are reading this blog, chances are you are on our website right this very moment! Just in case, it is www.nicholaslodge.com. Click on the shop button, and then once the shop page opens, you will click on Wishlist at the top.

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! 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from Chef Nicholas, Scott, and the entire ISAC family. We wish you a happy holiday spent with loving friends and family (and of course beautiful cakes!). Last year Scott wrote a beautiful message to all of our blog readers, and I wanted to share a part of it again this year, because it is just so well said.

Design and Photo: S.Ewing/ISAC

"I'm thankful for you...our students, customers, clients and decorators that seek the very best in cake decorating equipment and classes. For if it was not for you, there would not be a ISAC school, web site, retail gallery, conventions, cake shows and competitions. It is because of you that we are here. Throughout the year we receive many letters, notes and emails from our vast customer base, many containing photographs of the cakes or sugar art they created using our products or our suggestions. We are always thrilled to know we assisted in some way to help you deliver the best finished product possible for your customer.

However you choose to observe or celebrate the holidays, all of us here at ISAC hope it is the best one ever for you, your family and your dear friends."

Happy Thanksgiving!
Best wishes,
--Scott Ewing, Nicholas Lodge and the entire ISAC Team

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. 

Have you heard about pop-up stores? Pop-up events are so hot right now. The first one popped up in Los Angeles in 1997, and now these short terms shops can be found all over the US, Canada, UK, and even as far as Australia! These shops and events are short term, sometimes just a single day, sometimes a few weeks. In 2002 Target opened a pop-up store on a boat at Chelsea Pier in New York City; cell phones providers, airlines, clothing designers, bands, and even restaurants have popped up in different places to the delight of shoppers. 

These short term shops and sales, and events can even be seasonal. That's where ISAC comes in: we are hosting our very own pop-up event starting December 3, 2016! If you are in the Atlanta, Georgia area this December, we would love to have you visit our very own pop-up event: Gingerbread Depot!

Studio B will be transformed into a gingerbread construction zone! All of the supplies will be ready and waiting; when you and your family arrive, your house will be assembled and ready to be designed and decorated! All the candy and icing necessary will be included with the house; of course if you wanted to go for a bolder design, we will have additional candy and icing available. 

ISAC is offering two hour sessions in the morning and afternoons on the following days in December:

Saturday, Dec. 3rd
Wednesday, Dec. 7th
Friday, Dec. 9th
Saturday, Dec. 10th
Wednesday, Dec. 14th
Friday, Dec. 16th
Saturday, Dec. 17th

Gingerbread Depot is the perfect place to make holiday memories. Families, grandparents and grandchildren, couples, and even friends can come together this December and have a little fun with us at our Gingerbread Depot! If you would like to secure your spot, give us a call at 770-453-9449! We can't wait to see you pop in to our pop-up event!

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. 

There is less than two weeks to go until our 2016 Grand Holiday Open House!! Following the tradition that we began last year, ISAC will again be hosting two fantastic guest instructors- Wayne Steinkopf and Steven Stellingwerf. Chef Nicholas will also be debuting two brand new products in his demonstrations!

Last year at our Grand Holiday Open House, Chef Nicholas debuted these

gorgeous poinsettia's as part of his then upcoming Craftsy class!

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

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 many of you may know, Chef Nicholas is lucky enough to be the Brand Ambassador for Renshaw, the world's leading manufacturer of rolled fondant. We have been working even more closely with Renshaw for the last few months... doing what you ask? Well, let me tell you!

When I was growing up, one of my favorites things to do during the holiday season was to build a gingerbread house. I say, "WAS," because as I grew up and starting building the house on my own I realized how much WORK it was! Cutting and baking the ginger bread (or even going to the store and buying a kit), setting up your workspace and all the necessary supplies, constructing the house and waiting for the royal icing to dry... and that's before you get to the fun of decorating! Oh, then you have to clean everything up! Oy! Sadly, for me and probably many other families, the planning, preparation, and clean up just outweighed the fun and memory making of building gingerbread houses as a family!

I miss the happy memories of being silly with my brother and parents as we decorate a yummy little holiday house, and I want that back now that I have kids of my own. Well, Scott decided that maybe ISAC could become a tasty, gingerbread construction site over the holiday season- and now we have Gingerbread Depot! 

This weekend Chef Nicholas is teaching his Gumpaste Flowers for Fall class at ISAC. Wild Poppy, Fall Cosmos, Dahlia, Ginkgo Leaf, Chili Peppers, and several types of grasses will all feature at this class. These flowers, and especially their bold, warm colors, make me happy. I love the fall. But, what if you love fall and you aren't going to be taking the class with Chef Nicholas Lodge this weekend? Don't be sad, I got you covered.

Ok everyone- last week I told you all about the demo and classes being taught by Wayne from Swank Cake Designs at ISAC's Grand Holiday Open House and in Studio B, respectively. I also told you that we had to iron out a few last minute details, and the classes weren't yet live on our website. Well, I have got something to share: the classes are live, on our website, and ready and waiting for you to register! I just couldn't wait until Thursday to share the good news!