It’s great to recognise cake icons in the industry for their expertise and phenomenal designs. This month, we speak to Mike McCarey.
Mike McCarey of Mike’s Amazing Cakes is an award-winning cake artist and one of our cake icons in January. Due to his incredibly realistic cakes, he is seen as a leader in cake craft where he has developed new and creative techniques in cake sculpting.
What have you learnt in your career that has moulded you into the icon you are today?
I started my career in food as a classically trained pastry chef and with that comes the mindset of being as accurate and precise as humanly possible. Those were my marching orders since the beginning and still informs my work today. That being said, I’m still not where I want to be, but I keep trying.
Can you tell us a little bit about your cake decorating journey – where did it all begin?
I attended a two year general culinary program after graduating high school. It was there I was first introduced to the wonderful world of sugar, flour and chocolate.
What trends have you seen make a comeback in the industry?
The biggest comeback I’ve seen recently is piped icing flowers. This trend goes beyond your normal throwback. Decorators have been elevating this old school skill to new levels of complexity and style.