Amazing Classes with Mike McCarey – Day 3

I am currently sitting in the plane, on my flight home, as I write this blog entry from my final day at Mike’s Amazing Cakes. What a way to end an incredible trip. Today Big Bird came to life!

We got started right away this morning because we had a lot to do to finish up our Big Birds. The first step was getting the birds carved and crumb coated so they could set up in the refrigerator while we finished making body parts. Mike, once again, showed us step by step how to carve and coat our birds. He made it look so easy.

I got to work.

Unfortunately my first attempts made Big Bird look like he had stepped on a land mine. I am thankful that assistant Mike soon discovered that I was angling my knife wrong so I was able to fix my cake before it got totally distorted.

Carving is so stressful for me. With each cut I always fear I have removed too much. Fortunately buttercream can come to the rescue and fill in a lot of the minor-sized missing chunks.

Here is my sculpted cake, all ready for skin and feathers. Look at all the cake that got cut away! I know a lot of decorators save these scraps for making cake balls but mine just went in the trash.

Next he was ready for a crumb coat. Can you start to make him out now?

After some time in the fridge, while we formed feet, it was time to give him some skin. Out came the yellow fondant.

As good as he was starting to look, it wasn’t until he was covered in feathers that I really got excited. They brought so much movement and realism to his body.

It was time to give him some nice bird legs.

Mike instructed me on how to finish off the facial features.

And then all of a sudden, there he was! One of my favorite childhood characters came to life from cake, fondant and chocolate. I think he has to be one of the coolest cakes I have ever done.

But, before you go on and on about my amazing talent, take a look at this:

Every student’s bird turned out INCREDIBLE! That is how fantastic Mike’s teaching method is. He makes sure everyone leaves with a practically perfect cake. It looks a little like the Rockettes doesn’t it?

What an incredible three days in a beautiful city with a very talented instructor.

The only bad part was that I couldn’t take Big Bird home with me. Well, I could have, but I didn’t think it would be worth the effort, money and risk to fly him home since he was perishable. Fortunately my friend Jessie, who lives in Seattle, was more than happy to take him off my hands. Here he is all packaged in a box ready for his trip home with her.

I am thankful there are some mouths out there that will get to enjoy him. As for me, I am just content that I had such an incredible trip and now I get to look forward to my man waiting for me at the airport when this plane lands. I am truly a blessed girl. Thanks to my amazing husband for allowing me this opportunity of a lifetime and thanks to Mike McCarey for his willingness to share his talent and skills.

If you’re in the Seattle area and want a great cake, or want to take an amazing class, make sure you contact Mike at Mike’s Amazing Cakes!

Until next time, God Bless and Sweet Dreams.

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