TAMBORINE Mountain culinary artist Shayne Greenman is in the running to be crowned Australian Haute Couture Wedding Cake Designer of the Year at Brisbane’s International Cake Show.
Mr Greenman, owner of Tamborine Mountain Couture Wedding Cakes, said he had won awards overseas and represented Australia at culinary events in Italy, France and the US, but this competition held particular significance for him.
“The competition is by invitation only. It’s a bit like having a Logie nomination because you are nominated by customers and wedding industry peers,” he said.
“You don’t necessarily know you’ve been nominated. I found out about two months ago when the post went up on Facebook.
“They give you about a week to decide if you want to be in the top 24. Now we are down to the top nine.”
Mr Greenman designed a royal wedding cake for the finals. It was interesting challenge because rarely does the chance to design a cake worth more than $10,000 come along.
“Australia hasn’t seen designs on such a grand scale,” he said.
“I’ve been working on this one for about three weeks now. A Google search showed Meghan is choosing flowers grown at Windsor Castle.
“I’m a keen gardener, so I researched what species grow there and found Diana Roses and white peonies, so that gives me at least two types of flower I can use in my design.
“I also Googled St George’s Chapel where the royal wedding will be held and picked out some of the architectural designs I can use.
“It might not be exactly opulent or over the top but it will have lots of beautiful flowers, elaborate details and a touch of gold.”
The annual event showcases hundreds of cakes – some flown in from overseas for the Ultimate Cake Decorating Competition.
Competition categories range from cupcake bouquet design, sculpted busts, sugar-crafting, celebration cakes, edible art and buttercream cakes.
A life-sized Alice in Wonderland cake installation will feature favourite characters, trees made from sugar and a sugar gate pulsating with lights.
See architectural tribute cakes themed “iconic Australian structure”, geometric and abstract categories and stylised edible flower designs.
The International Cake Show will be held at the Brisbane Showgrounds Exhibition Building from May 18-20 from 10am to 4pm.
