One more sleep til our new book hits the bookstores!! We have partnered with our publishers online webstore! They offered us 7% of net booksales for each and every sale that came through our website.

Since we are very engaged with Icing Smiles, a non profit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by the critical illness of a child, Saskya and I would like to donate that percentage to this wonderful charity that is very close to our heart.

We have negotiated that the shipping costs are free too- so if you’re interested in our book please follow this link to order and not only treat yourself to almost 60 yummy recipes but also support Icing Smiles.

Thank you xx Saskya & Monica

I made a small cake today to celebrate easter. I decorated the top with a birds nest made of spun sugar and filled it with chocolate eggs.

Just heat  1 cup cup of sugar with 1/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup of glucose or corn syrup to 310F. Let it cool off slightly and dip a vork in it; pull high and swirl above a piece of parchment paper . Easy peasy and it looks like a golden nest.  Enjoy the long weekend xx Saskya & Monica

We wrote in our last post that writing a cookery book can be somewhat of a rollercoaster. Just since a couple of weeks things have slowed down here in my kitchen;  I managed to cook a proper meal after months of takeout-thai  and even traded my kitchen clogs for high heels and made it to a party – got at last some fresh air, brushed my hair like a normal person and drank a proper cocktail!

It’s a rollercoaster because for months you work on the recipes and pictures- then send it off to the publisher and then …you just keep your fingers crossed and pray pray pray the graphic designer translates your work into the book you envisioned.  There are many stakeholders and teams consulted when choosing the art direction & cover of the book; from sales teams to marketing teams – you have to trust their expertise and let go. Much like you send your baby to their first day of school. Will they be in good hands?

Letting go of my baby is a Very. Hard. Thing for me to do- especially given that I am a complete “out of control” – control freak! If you’re a pastry chef or cake designer I know you can relate. You have to be a little cuckoo to work for hours and hours on a single cake or sugar flower. Everything needs to be just perfect. Imagine you have baked layers and layers of cake, worked days on decorations and then… someone else finishes the cake. See?

To me, the graphic design of a book is hugely important. It can be the sole reason for me to buy a book.  I could actually open a bookstore with the books I have purchased over the years– it’s just something I do on weekends, like other people tend to their gardens; I browse bookstores. Novels I read religiously but lifestyle books I just get them because I want them.  And I want them because I am drawn by the look & feel of the book; the graphic design.

I could buy a book with a theme that has no interest to me –such as  “ The fish whisperer. Learn to communicate with your goldfish in just 10 days with 32 hands on exercises ” . If the graphic design is appealing I will get this book and then some for my friends.  And I don’t even have a goldfish!

We had the pleasure of working with Manon Jansen of Pier 3 Creatie on the graphic design of our book.  She deserves an award . She’s a star!!!! I am not easy to work with. I am like a macaron; the enfant terrible in the pastry department; require special treatment, I am demanding and behave badly when things don’t go the way I want.  But Manon didnt crack under the extreme pressure and was beyond lovely!! Our “baby” was in good hands. We are very pleased with the interior pages and she has created many beautiful cover options to go with it.

The publisher ultimately chooses the cover. Manon went above and beyond and has created cover after cover for us all to choose from. So many actually that it was hard to choose. There are 2 in particular that we fell head over heels in love with and would like to share with you….

It’s not the final cover—but it would have been if it were only up to us! Since we promised you a sneak peek of the  book we couldn’t think of a better image – as these to us represent really well what this book is all about.

We will post the final cover soon….but meanwhile hope you enjoy this sneak peek ..Let us know what you think. x Sas & Monica

Yes..it’s OK to laugh ..as you can see we tried everything but found out we can’t even strike a pose!! We thought it would be simple.. a fun and casual picture but it’s kind of hard to graciously bite into a cup cake – or look natural when you are not allowed to move or the picture will be blurry?!  and then saskya.. cracking up every 5 minutes haha! We never got the picture ..but we did have loads of fun trying!

We will be sharing the cover of our book soon – so stay tuned friends xxx Saskya & Monica

i have had this  camera for a while.. but only recently started using it.. never even bothered to read the manual but who cares. i am having fun. so much fun that today i actually mananged to take this shot…

spelling out my sisters initials in candy letters. yes. that’s what happens after a busy period working of on a book and then all of a sudden… you have a day off. well actually it was half a morning. but still. i was  **free**  and found myself a little lost. taking pictures of candy letters…! candy. letters. ! you actually have to go through the bag and look for the letters you need. thats a sign of too much free time i’d say! imagine the dinner table conversation;  “so how was your day?”  ” oh very interesting. i spelled out my sisters name.  in candy letters.  and then took a picture!” “{in response he just blinks. in slow motion..}”

so i need a new project.. and will soon pick up where i left off with Icing Smiles as we are working on starting new chapters in Australia, the UK and Canada. We will soon be launching Icing Smiles Holland too – at last! can’t wait to help these chapters hit the ground running.

xx Monica

i think i might have a new love affair with butter cream. again- just 15 minutes with this one. i know. and all you need is a palet knife. a round piping tip and off you go. pretty cake in no time. i might try a different pattern tomorrow. see?  obsessed.

we ran out of pages {and time!} and have not been able to include all the images or ideas we wanted to share with you like this beauty here; texture you can create with a piping tip, buttercream and just 10 minutes. 

so we decided to share them on our blog. along with little sneak peeks of the book now and then. 

but first, i am going to have the first night off since what seems for ever and watch all the episodes of masterchef i taped.  xx monica

So I decided to get started working on my own  sweet tables and then just last week one after the other started to pour in…
I took today off today to work on this contest so giving you all the Sweet Tables that have entered today in random order with a little note from the  designers & if available a link to the detail photos. Again, I am so very proud of all of you – thank you for participating! Hope you all had lots of fun working on it and that it inspired you do more sweet/dessert tables in the future.

Unfortunately I am not allowed to vote on our Dutch submissions. Thats a good thing tough as I would have a hard time choosing.

I would like to reward you all with a grand prize as I sure know you all deserve it – but a competition is a competiton so in the end there will be one Dutch winner.. that will be up to to the international judges. I will be voting for my favorite sweet tables in other countries.

So.. as for the Dutch grand reward…  we have 2 amazing sponsors on board. Please  allow me to introduce them to you. I am so grateful for their commitment to  reward our star sweet table designer!

The Dutch winner will be rewarded with a  macaron workshop at Poptasi.

It had to be included { I can’t help myself!}- you know how much I love  those colourful chic bites. Macarons are always a winner on any dessert &
sweet table- so from now on under the guidance of Patrick van Drie from Poptasi  you will master that infamous technique and make the most stunning macarons.

Here’s a little background info on Patrick. I  have seen his macarons- and they are just purrrrfect {such a talented & passionate pastry chef!} – I can only imagine how  delicious they are. He just opened his first shop and hope to visit soon!

Patrick van Drie: “The  only way to do great work, is to love what you do” (Steve Jobs). En dat
omschrijft precies wat wij doen. In maart 2011 zijn wij Poptasi Pastry
begonnen. Vanuit passie voor patisserie. Want patisserie vinden wij mooi,
inspirerend en ontzettend lekker. Wij zijn gespecialiseerd in Macarons. Daar
kun je eindeloos veel creativiteit in kwijt. In zowel smaak, kleur als creatie.
Maar we maken met net zo veel plezier slagroomtruffels of gebak.

Ik kom oorspronkelijk  uit de reclamebureau wereld, waar ik werkte als Art Director. Als Poptasi
maakte ik street-art schilderijen en beeldjes. Dat groeide uit naar tees en
toys. M’n laatste, leukste en lekkerste ontdekking is de wereld van patisserie.
Veel patissiers denken vanuit ingrediënten en smaak. Ik denk graag
vanuit concept en creatie. Dat maakt mij geen Patisserie-Chef, maar eerder een
Art Director – Patissier.

http://www.poptasi.com/wordpress/

Now that you have the prettiest macarons… we will reward you with a shopping  spree at the trendiest sweet tables shop in Belgium;

Pink Lemonade!

I am a big fan of Paper Eskimo products to dress up your party and was  happy to learn that Pink Lemonade founded by Mieke has picked up the dessert  table trends and offering my favourite goodie bags, striped paper straws and  all the other goodies. Mieke knows all the latest trends in party styling so  keep an eye out for her web shop. Pink Lemonade will reward the Dutch winner  with a 250 euro shopping spree! Why again was i not allowed to enter myself?  Ooh my goodness. How much are we loving Pink Lemonade??? Loads!!!

About Pink Lemonade:

De “One Stop Shop” om al je party’s te
stylen.

Van gestreepte candy bags, naar retro papieren rietjes, fantastische
baking cups, bakery twine in funky kleurtjes, masking tape met toffe motiefjes
en andere onmisbare party essentials.

Wil je een gegarandeerd “WOW” effect, gebruik dan zeker de
“party ware” van Pink Lemonade!

A big thank you to both Poptasi and Pink  Lemonade for rewarding our stars.They sure deserved it as I know how much time   and effort goes into creating a sweet & dessert table.

Ok my lovelies –  so after announcing the presents and their sponsors it’s finally time to reveal the entries…here the come in
random order. Click on the picture to enlarge it and admire the details.  Enjoy xx

A retro vintage table by Comex Komariah from The Hague

The dessert table was created for Odilia’s 1st birthday.

A Sinterklaas table by Anja Roubos (Tarte taart An) from Houten

She worked on the sweet table with her sister and even made “borstplaat’. Only 2 of my favorrite things!

Ik heb voor een Nederlands thema gekozen, namelijk
‘Sinterklaas’. Ik bakte kruidnootjes, maakte mijn intocht-taart (het Grote Boek van
Sinterklaas!), 5-decemberkoekjes, Caramel Cups met rode en witte
accenten, mijters & staf van meringueschuim, rode Sinterklaas macarons
met witte chocolade & frambozen, witte roomborstplaat en bakte
speculaas. De tafel heb ik samen met mijn jongere zus geheel in
Sinterklaas-thema aangekleed, inclusief boot, pakjes en mini Sint.

Additional pictures  : http://tartetaartan.blogspot.com/p/tarte-taart-sweet-table-contest.html

Winterwonderland Table by Bianca Schmohl from Zaandam

Met de donkere (feest)dagen voor de deur vind ik
het heerlijk knus om thuis te zijn, genietend van een winters landschap met
veel zoetigheid!

Additional pictures : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002832403018

Princess Birthday Table by Elizabeta (Liza) Veljkovic

In honor of her little girl Ena’s 3rd birthday. How precious and what a lucky girl!

Uit Grootmoeders Tijd Table by Leonie van Goor en Heidi Smit

Wij hebben een tafel gemaakt met oudhollands gebak: Bijvoorbeeld
boterkoeken, griesmeelpudding met geroosterde hazelnoten met een bramensaus,
stroopwafels, bitterkoekjestulband, tulband met rozijnen en sukade, poffertjes
met poedersuiker, arretjescake, warme chocolademelk met slagroom, speculaasjes,
roomborstplaat, moorkoppen, pannenkoeken met stroop, zuurtjes en
kaneelkussentjes etc etc.. Al deze zoetigheden gedecoreerd met spulletjes van
vroeger.

Additional images: www.taartvanleonie.mijnalbums.nl

Sweet Table by Jose Roos

After shooting the table she enjoyed all the sweets with her 5 sister  inlaws.

Home Sweet Home (Country Romance) by Alma Steefkerk from Groningen

Ik heb tijdens het ontwerpen van deze Sweet Table het ‘Country Romance’ gevoel
aangehouden. Om dit landelijke romantische gevoel te krijgen heb ik gekozen
voor een klepbankje in plaats van een tafel en heb ik hier een ladder op
geplaatst. Ik als basis voor wit gekozen en hier voor de ‘romantic touch’ kant
en roze rozen aan toegevoegd. Ik heb de kleur roze gecombineerd met de heldere
‘sky blue’. Dit geeft het een iets stoerdere touch. Als ik denk aan ‘Country
Romance’ denk ik aan ‘thuis’ waar je met je familie taarten bakt en waar het
huis naar vanille ruikt. Daarom heb ik de letters ‘HOME’ toegevoegd: om een
thuis-gevoel te creëren.

Op de Sweet Table zie je van links naar rechts cupcakes, cakepops, taart,
marshmallowlolly’s en koekjes. Daarachter vind je snoeppotten en aan de lader
hangen ook koekjes.

Additional Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/almastreefkerk/sets/72157628264297031/with/6252730631/

Black – White and Red Table by Lis Franso from Utrecht

I decided that my 33rd birthday would be a good occasion for my first
sweet table. Of course this lead to my favorite colourscheme: black and white
with a splash of red. To get a bit more uniformity in the styling I decided on
a black and white stripey pattern as the overall theme. Sweets were bought and
made and invented to fit into this theme. I just loved doing it!

Additional pictures: https://sites.google.com/site/delisioussite/home/sweet-table

I See Your True Colors Wedding Table by Daphne Stollé from Groningen

The phrase “I see your true colors and that’s why I love you’ from the
song ‘True Colors’ by Cyndi Lauper popped up in my head while I was
brainstorming for the sweet table for this competition. Immediately I figured
out that I wanted to make a colorful sweet table for a (fictitious) wedding. I
wanted this table to be romantic and rustic, yet modern and fun.

 

Additional pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70143357@N06/sets/72157628236371207/

Marie Antoinette Table by Anke Nederkoorn

Marie Antoinette wordt op haar 15^e uitgehuwelijkt aan Lodewijk XVI. Zij leeft in een gouden kooi een probeert te
ontsnappen in excentrieke feesten. Ik kan er eindeloos over vertellen, over haar hartstocht voor kostbare sieraden, haar  minnaars… maar ook over Marie Antoinette als zorgzame moeder. Zij wordt middelpunt van felle kritiek, met als hoogtepunt de beschuldiging van de gevleugelde uitspraak ‘Let them eat cake’, als reactie op het uitgehongerde Franse volk.

Veel inspiratie dus. Zo verwerkte ik in mijn Sweet Table voor die tijd modieuze kleuren als wit, roze en goud met
rozen en aardbeien. De taarten en cakes zijn gevuld met chocolade, aardbeien en slagroom. Het kleine taartje staat voor de gouden kooi. Ik had veel plezier met het maken van deze tafel. Geen enkel kruimel is overgebleven maar dankzij mijn schoonzus heb ik de mooie foto’s.

Additional pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/AnkeNederkoorn/STC?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCI6YrJuO7qX9Ww&feat=directlink

Wedding Table by Bianca Jenema-Dorenbos

Additional pictures  http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=IQZUWE6I

Bollywood Table by Shari Bhattoe

Additional pictures http://sweetshaar.blogspot.com/2011/12/bollywood-thema.html

Alice in Wonderland Table by Machteld Vermeer & Nadja Willems

Elk meisje wil toch een prinsesje zijn? Met deze Alice in Wonderland sweet “table” waant de jarige zich in een echt sprookje.
Midden in het bos, omgeven door een sprookjes sfeer en heel veel lekkere zoete traktaties. Een sprookjeswereld wordt even werkelijkheid.

Additional pictures:  http://www.taartjesvanmaggie.mijnalbums.nl/

Sweet Table by Jolanda de Jong from Groningen

Jolanda was the first contestant to send in her submission. She loved working on it – and even created a “Sinterklaas” inspired table only a few weeks later.

Red & White Table by Katja Boumans & Katja Dohmen from Herkenbosch

Additional pictures: http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album-7RAOBO4G-Foto%27s-in-Wessem-Foto%27s-van-Voorwerpen-Taart.html

Let it snow….in The Netherlands by Mary Hooft from Voorburg

 

The idea was to get a feel of a snowy landscape but with the hint you may be
in The Netherlands. This is shown with the use of the Dutch Canal houses as a
runner behind the table and the house candle holders. The serving plates were a
mixture of glass for a feeling of ice and white ceramic with plastic grass
covered cake boards drenched in icing sugar for again the feeling of snow.
Snowflakes suspended from balloons floated above the table and were also used on
the table runners to decorate. Little silver bird card holders were used for
holding the names of the deserts which looked like the small birds that come to
your garden in winter to be fed.

Additional pictures: http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view.sfly?fid=51b1b57f52176e776cbbd47cbb382743

Sweet Table by Robine Ponte 

Assepoester Table by Marianne van Beek en Silvia van Adrichem

We hebben gekozen voor assepoester-stijl waarbij het kasteel en de koets de taart zijn.De muizen zijn van fondant en staan op stroopwafelcakejes met een toef van aardbeiencrème.In de torens van het kasteel staan cakepops.In de glazen schaaltjes en champagneglazen hebben we verschillende soorten lekkernijen gedaan, zoals whoopies gevuld met aardbeiencrème, cakepops, hartjes, colaballen enz. En een pot met snoep en grote lolly’s.Onder de kaarsen staan glaasjes gevuld met ranja.We hebben er erg veel plezier aan beleefd!

 

Sweet 16 Vespa inspired Table by Rietchy 

Additional pictures: http://www.rietchys.nl/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=18:sweet-table-contest-2011&Itemid=39

 Baby Owl Table by Monika Plewinski from Rotterdam

Luc, het zoontje van mijn beste vriendin werd 1 jaar en daar hoort natuurlijk een feestje bij. Omdat de thema van Luc’s fotoboek van zijn 1e levensjaar uiltjes waren hebben wij dat ook aangehouden als thema voor zijn taart en de sweet table.

 

Winter Wonderland Table by Marjolein  Smeenk 

For me winter is truely the most wonderfull time of the year. I love how snow and ice can transform the world and give it a magical feeling.
But as beautifull as it can be outside, winter is also the time to stay inside and share time with your friends and loved ones.
And what better way to do this then with a sweet table in the style of a winter wonderland?

 Additional pictures https://plus.google.com/photos/100046678003386058365/albums/5684622585354650657

 Christmas in the City Table by Anne ter Haar from The Hague

 

I was inspired by a modern Christmas in the City, choosing for the colours black and white in combination with more traditional (Christmas) green. The sweet table is part of an elegant cocktail party with friends in the holiday season. The sweets I baked are all with traditional Christmas flavours.

Once Upon A Time In The East Table by Elvira Rusche-Dam

Ik heb gekozen voor diverse cupcakes, met chilipeper, veel chocolade, zilver en nog wat “oosterse lekkernijen” zoals vijgen, zoethout en natuurlijk de waterpijp. De “rozen” zijn gevuld met cake, lemoncurd en witte chocoladeganache. Verder een superdonkere chocoladeganache met roze zoutkristallen en verse baklava.

 Additional pictures: http://frommysecretgarden.wordpress.com/2011/12/10/sweet-table-contest/

 Arabian Nights Table by Tante Fatima & Loes

Our theme is 1001 Night. It s all about the Arabian nights. The Arabian nights are inspirable by the magic colours, smells and tastes.

Sultry nights of fairytale stories. A world that is different and tempting and awakens fantasy. These are the tales of 1001 nights. Sheherazade tells a new storty every night that isn’t finished, in the harem of King Shahryar, to postpone her beheading another night. Every night she taked the king away to a world full of magic in colour and food. He has a sweet tooth, so this was the inspiration for our theme. The colours red, purple and gold aren’t indispensable in the Arabian world.  

Ons thema is 1001 nacht. Het gaat allemaal om de Arabische nachten. De Arabische nachten zijn inspirerend door de magische kleuren , geuren en smaken. Zwoele nachten vol sprookjesachtige verhalen. Een wereld die verleidelijk anders is en de fantasie prikkelt. Dat zijn de ‘Vertellingen van 1001 Nacht’. Sheherazade vertelt iedere avond een nieuw verhaal dat nog niet af is, in de harem van koning Shahryār, om haar onthoofding weer een nachtje uit te stellen. Iedere avond neemt ze de koning mee naar een wereld van magie met kleuren en eten. Hij is een zoetekouwer, dus dit was onze inspiratie voor ons thema. De kleuren rood, paars en goud zijn niet weg te denken in de Arabische wereld.

Additional pictures http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=KFL3DNSQ

 Sweet Table by Karen Anne Groothedde

 Additional pictures: http://karenannecakes.blogspot.com/2011/12/sweet-table-contest.html

Pink Christmas Table by Ghislaine Wilms- Bernards

 Additional pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/102914634129305349475/SweetTableContest2011#

Warm Christmas ~ Cold WinterTable by Karen Strydom from Elst

Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year and when I decided to create my very first sweet table, I just ‘had’ to go with this theme. I chose the colours white and silver, representing the cold and icy element of winter, together with purple to add warmth.
On my sweet table you will find ‘snow ball’ cake pops, ‘snow flake’ mini cupcakes, ‘season greetings’ cupcakes, ‘christmas bauble’ mini cakelets, ‘christmas tree’ mini cakelets, macarons, candy balls and chocolates, ‘christmas tree’ cupcakes, and an icy-snowy 2-tier cake…not to forget the glühwein to warm you up.
I enjoyed doing this thoroughly, but have a lot to learn in creating a professional dessert table

 

 Venetian Carnival by Anja van Diepen from Amsterdam

Thema is Venetiaans carnaval, het hele Venetiaanse carnaval draait om pracht en praal maar ook gaat het carnaval erover dat je niet je ware gezicht wilt laten zien. Daarom draagt men maskers. Ook een duidelijk herkenbaar symbool is de nar. Hiervan heb ik een table gemaakt.  Venetiaans porcelein met venetiaans oliebollen (fritole venete) Mini chocoladecupcakes met venetiaanse narren (zonder gezicht, je weet nooit zijn ware aard) Amandelmaskers gemaakt van amandeldeeg en gebakken in de oven.
Venetiaans maskers gemaakt van koekjesdeeg met icing Chocolade cupcakes met venetiaanse narren, wederom zonder gezicht
Klein vruchtengebak met room op venetiaans aardewerk . Stapeltaart in venetiaans thema Venetiaans glas met zuppa inglese.

Hope you enjoyed and got inpsired by these beautiful festive tables. I am so very proud of my colleagues in Holland! There is still one day to enter the competition.. so stay tuned for more pretty party tables.I will create a gallery so you can see all the pictures  as a slide show. . but have to call in the help from my brother as i have noooo clue how to do that!

Please leave comments and show our contestants some love xx happy weekend to you all.

Monica

 Todays cake will be the first of many until xmas when the manuscript is due.. a very tight deadline and suspect I will be not getting much sleep following months.

But! After tasting, baking & having all those yummies in my tummy I plan to curl up like a squirrel and hibernate into a winter sleep from january thru april when the book comes out.

Until then- I will share some tips I find myself with you as I go along.. so you too can create those beautiful dessert tables! Here’s the first; 

I want everything in this shop Mon Tresor. Literally everything! It’s a great resource for my Sweet Table Contest participants too! {Suzanna from Mon Tresor is also one of the judges!}

Happy shopping all- and enjoy your weekend xx

We are very happy to announce that we have reached the 1000th fan on facebooks’Sweet Table Contest page !

To thank you for your support, the Sweet Table Team has  decided to spoil you ! They have selected two cute patisserie inspired pressies* ! {* =gifts- living a few months in Sydney has totally corrupted me!}

So this week until  October 30th {10.30 PM} you can win {win– WIN!} a beautiful jewel from our artistic director’s shop Secret Velvet !

Marie designs beautiful jewelry. It is so yummy that no one can resist ! We invite you to discover her cute creations at Secret Velvet

You will have the choice between :

~ a pretty necklace “petit macaron” :

~ and a macaron brooch of your favourite flavor :

One of you will be the lucky one to receive one of these sweet presents. Everyone can participate, you just have to :

~ like the Sweet Table Contest facebook page
~ like the Secret Velvet facebook page
~ write a comment to inform us of your participation !

 Good luck to ma petite macarons! xx

PS- If you’re on Facebook – and haven’t checked out our page yet {you have haven’t you? from day one you right? right?! } Come on over y’all at Kuhne Cakes- we often post little notes here and there about things that inspire us. x