Cakenweenie #1: A Beginning

The Burtonesque Bakers

In April this year a conversation started between a group of friends. With wonderful memories and the excitement of the Starry Night Collaboration still fresh in our minds, we listened intently as the brilliant Tracey Rothwell of Little Cherry Cake Company outlined her ambitious plan for a new, even bigger collaboration. Cakenweenie – 100 bakers creating 100 of Tim Burton’s most beloved movie characters to celebrate his 55th birthday!!

Angela Morrison – Cakes by Angela Morrison

To say that some of us were as nervous as we were excited, is a massive understatement. But Tracey spoke with passion and determination and shared her vision so brilliantly that we knew this would be something very special and we fell under her spell.

Sam Herbert – Samtastic Cakes

Soon our ranks began to grow…friends invited friends, those friends invited their friends and a wish list of some of the world’s most amazing decorators was compiled, with only a small hope that any of them would ever say yes.

Rudy Martinez – Man Bakes Cake

Each day as we checked into our group, more and more incredible names were being listed as having said yes! Liz Marek, Debbie Goad….then another day Jacqueline Butler, Steven Barella and then the addition that made me lose my cool…..my Cake Crush; Karen Portaleo!! Be still my beating heart!! Over the next weeks and months we were joined by a veritable who’s who of the caking world!

Steven Barela – Child’s Pastry Shop

Some of us got a bit shaky; some were wondering how they would possibly hold their own in such auspicious company. But then a funny thing happened…just as it had with the Starry Night collaboration…suddenly your big name sugar artists were helping out your home bakers and vice versa. We laughed, we cried, we panicked, we asked for help, we laughed some more! Then photos of the pieces started coming in and we were awestruck….we had come so far together.
From small, nervous beginnings, when some had felt out of their depth skill wise and some had felt out of their depth with the genre…we had all found common ground that bound us together…a shared love for all things sugar.

Sara Byrne Trull – Courthouse Cake Company

Whilst so many people all over the world have enjoyed the result of this shared love, only the 100 of us got to see what I believe, is the real success of the amazing beast that is Cakenweenie; the incredible respect and camaraderie that bore so many wonderful and lasting friendships. The awe inspiring sight of watching every decorator stepping up and hitting well out of their comfort zones and doing themselves proud. And the genuine encouragement and support shown to each of us, every step of the way.

Peggy Lee – Peggy Does Cake

I’m humbled to have been allowed to watch as 99 decorators worked together, breaching race, religion, language and geographical barriers. I wish every one of you could have seen this amazing group work together with harmony, class and humility. If ever I falter in my faith of the Cake Community, I will look to this collage of all these wonderful faces, and remember how a shared passion can be the ultimate equaliser and how lucky we are to be part of this warm, creative and generous community.

Rene Luedeman – Dizzy Dame’s Bake Shoppe

My deepest and most genuine thanks to all my fellow collaborators for allowing me to share this fantastical journey with you all and to Tracey Rothwell…your vision inspires me, your commitment stuns me and your heart humbles me. Thank you, thank you, thank you xxxx

You can see all the Collaboration pieces at www.cakenweenie.com

There is an i"nterview":http://cakesdecor.com/cakesbyraewyn/blog/828 about the Collaboration with it’s amazing Brainchild Tracey Rothwell in the next instalment of the CakesDecor Cakenweenie Blog.