Ever fancied learning how to ice a cake like the professionals do? And when I say 'professional', I mean, the BEST in the business cake maker for a whole host of celebrities, Royalty and clients that include The Savoy, Claridges The Ritz and Fortnum and Mason – and that's just for starters!
I'm talking about Peggy Porschen of course, the brilliantly talented contemporary cake designer, renowned for her irresistibly pretty and elegant designs that are not only visually stunning but also taste delicious. I know, I have personally sampled some of Peggy's sweet delights and they are deeeeeelicious!
This May, to coincide with the RHS Chelsea Flower show {24 – 28 May 2011}, Peggy is hosting a week’s curriculum dedicated to specialist sugar floristry skills and techniques at her new cake academy.
Now wouldn't that be fun?! A whole week with the most talented cake designer in the world doing pretty {and tasty!} things?
You needn't worry if you have no experience icing a cake! With courses to suit a variety of proficiency levels and specialist disciplines, Floral Week at the Peggy Porschen Academy responds to unprecedented demand for the opportunity to learn from the master; Peggy is set to personally share her skills and secrets, combined with her infectious passion for cake in this series of unique workshops…
"There is nothing I enjoy more than sharing the knowledge and experience gained from doing what I love over the last decade. I take an enormous amount of pleasure from my student’s achievements and the pride that they take in completing the projects I set them.
Sugar flowers are a particular passion of mine and I will relish the occasion to consume myself with the craft for a full week…"
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011 Georgia Glynn Smith, for Peggy Porschen
Floral week courses will include a ‘Rosebud and Petal’ workshop for beginners in which students will learn to mould flowers entirely by hand using marzipan and sugar paste.
This simple yet sometimes daunting skill is often understood but difficult to master through books alone. The workshop will allow students to practise under Peggy’s watchful eye and perfect their individual style and technique.
A ‘Vintage Blooms’ masterclass will run over two days, students will learn to handcraft pink garden Roses, pastel Hydrangea Blooms and Anemones using sugar paste and petal dust before steaming each delicate petal for a breath-taking true to life result. For those looking to specialise, Peggy will also offer a ‘Bridal Bouquet’ masterclass inspired by some of her most popular floral wedding cake designs. Students will refine their sugar craft skills learning to create cascading White Avalanche Roses, Paper Whites and Lily of the Valley, each handcrafted with flower paste.
Working with cake tiers, students will also be taught to position, tape and wire their flowers for a flawless finish…
The Peggy Porschen Academy opened in Belgravia earlier this year and is the first school in London entirely dedicated to baking, cake decorating and sugar craft.
The academy offers a year-round curriculum with project-based and technique-lead courses and classes to suit a variety of students, from those wishing to complete the professional Peggy Porschen Diploma and kick start a career in cakes, to those looking for a fun and creative day out.
Classes are led throughout the year by Peggy herself, her team of master bakers and sugar artists and a host of guest chefs and industry experts. There are courses to suit both UK and international students with foreign language classes and translation services available.
Students can enrol in a three day ‘Professional Tiered Wedding Cake’ master class and learn to bake the perfect sponge, securely stack and assemble tiers and pipe exquisite spring flowers, or may prefer to take a fun one day ‘Couture Cookies’ class and create their own chic collection of iced handbag, stiletto shoe and cocktail dress treats to take home.
Situated just over the road from the Peggy Porschen Parlour, the Academy is nestled between the chic boutiques of Elizabeth Street and boasts an intimate, state-of-the-art teaching kitchen with well-equipped facilities.
Granite works tops gleam in the light and spacious classroom complete with demonstration area as well as a commercial baking oven and professional cake making equipment. Catering to classes of a maximum 8 students at a time, each will benefit from one on one advice, personalised tips and will learn at their own work station.
Each student will be provided with their own set of professional tools and an electric KitchenAid Mixer, enabling them to learn at their own pace and maximise their potential during the class. Students will also be provided with Peggy Porschen Chef’s jackets and aprons for the duration of the course. Peggy has carefully chosen the ingredients used by her academy students; each tried and tested over the years for quality and suitability to each technique while reflecting her lifelong commitment to fair-trade.
I think I fancy booking in to this myself. I hope Peggy is ready for me and my 'I'm TERRIBLE anywhere near the kitchen!' skills! 🙂
For further information, contact Stephanie, or visit the Peggy Porschen website where you can DROOL over the most beautiful wedding cakes in the world.
You can also follow Peggy on Facebook and Twitter for all of her latest news.
Much love,
Annabel xXx
♥
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
