Congratulations to all the winners of the Cake Masters Awards 2017!
Cake Artist of the Year Award Sponsored by The Cake Decorating Company:
Emma Jayne, Emma Jayne Cake Artist
“I am absolutely delighted and privileged. Winning this category was a total shock and I didn’t see it coming. I’m slowly coming down to earth and smile to myself now and again realising this award actually happened. There are so many deserving of Cake Artist of the Year and I’m eternally grateful to Rosie for appreciating my work and all that goes into it.”
wedding Cake Award sponsored by Fondarific:
Jessica Minh Vu, Floral Cakes by Jessica MV
“I was extremely amazed and honoured to win. Wedding Cake is always a very competitive category with so many talents, especially that of Cake Masters Awards, the most prestigious in the cake world. Winning the award was what I didn’t dream of in my weirdest dream; but it happened, yes it’s an exotic feeling that not many people can have once in their life I think.”
Sculpted Cake Award Sponsored by Renshaw Academy:
Carla Puig, Carla Puig – Sugar Atelier
“To be one of the finalists in this category was like a dream come true for me. It we add that the other finalists, whom I appreciate very much, do an excellent job, the fact of being awarded seemed almost impossible. So when I heard Benny saying my name, I was shocked. It was a great honour to win this award, I am really happy and looking forward to keep working and improving day by day.”
Sugar Flowers Award Sponsored by Rolkem:
Natallia Kishkovich, Natali Cakes
“I am very excited for the unexpected and desired victory with all my heart, especially to be recognised for all the hard work over the years. In the moment they called my name, I was in disbelief and a series of emotions came over me, I cried and couldn’t fathom what I did to deserve this international recognition. I thank everyone for believing in me and it was an honour to compete with prestigious and talented individuals.”
Royal Icing Award Sponsored by Renshaw:
Anikó Vargáné Orbán, Ékes-Édes Stúdió
“Winning this award still feels like a dream. It is truly a great honour for me. This has been so far the greatest acknowledgement of my work, and I believe that I could not have wished for more. I had no illusions about winning such a significant competition, even being nominated had been such a wonderful surprise. Taking over this prize from Eddie Spence MBE was an honour beyond description for me. His entrance on stage was followed by a 3-minute standing ovation, after which it was very difficult to find my words.”
Rising Star Award Sponsored by Fabricake:
Alyssa Alexandre, Sugar Canvas
“I feel amazing, I was so surprised to be a finalist and it was even more of a shock to find out I won! I am beyond happy! My plans for next year are to attend the awards!”
Collaboration Award Sponsored by Magic Colours:
Italian Sugar Dream
“I honestly have to say it is overwhelming to win! I was not prepared for it and as the name of Italian Sugar Dream Collaboration was being announced as the award winner, I was in a complete shock! It feels great to have such a high recognition for what me and my team have built with so much dedication and passion.”
Best Learning Experience Award Sponsored by Silikomart:
Paul Bradford, Paul Bradford Sugarcraft School
“We feel completely stunned especially given the calibre of the other nominees, but delighted and very, very proud. It’s still sinking in to be honest. We have lots of plans to improve our product and service in the year ahead and have just opened up a new free online resource to help those on a budget.”
Best Show Piece Award Sponsored by Roxy & Rich:
Life-sized Elephant Cake, Eat Cake Party
“It is incredible feeling winning Best Show Piece as it’s a very tough category. This year; there were amazing artists as finalists and I feel honoured to have won. It’s all still feeling a little unreal!”
Best Cake Show Award:
Cake International
“We are very proud to be the first winners of this brand new category and of Cake International – the world’s largest cake decorating show. For 23 years, Cake International has welcomed and inspired cake decorators and we are thrilled to be recognised for this by Cake Masters Magazine and its readers.”
Cake Hero Award Sponsored by Dinkydoodle:
Karen Portaleo:
“It feels completely wonderful, I’m deeply grateful! I tend to work in a rather isolated setting, and I’m not great at keeping up with social media, so it’s such a surprise to know that so many people see and appreciate my work! I’m grateful to the people who voted for me, I’m grateful to my students all over the world who chose to spend time in my classes, and to the people who take the time to let me know they appreciate my work.”
Best product Award Sponsored by Cake International:
Pasta Model Saracino, Saracino Srl
“We are absolutely amazed and excited to win, we still can’t believe it. We did not expect to win at all, we didn’t prepare anything to say, it was a tough competition.”
Best retailer Award Sponsored by Rainbow Dust:
Cake Stuff
“We’re absolutely thrilled to win the Best Retailer category which acknowledges the hard work of the entire Cake Stuff team. Just to be nominated alongside some of the most respected names in the industry was something special, but to win the actual award is quite overwhelming. It just goes to show that our range of products, competitive prices and friendly customer service seems to be a winning combination for our customers.”
Cupcake Award:
Amanda Mumbray, The Clever Little Cupcake Company
“I am absolutely delighted to have won such a prestigious award, especially as the other finalists are such talented people. I was dancing on the ceiling when I found out! Thank you to Cake Masters for selecting me to be a finalist!”
Best Magazine Cover Award:
Vicky Turner, The Yellow Bee Cake Company, February 2017
“Looking at the other beautiful cover cakes in my category, I wasn’t sure I had a chance to win. So to hear my name called out and the massive cheer was simply amazing. When I first started creating cakes in 2011, I never dreamed I would end up on stage collecting an award. It really is a dream come true.”
Modelling Excellence Award:
Elena Atash, WonderCake
“The fact that I won the contest was a big surprise and a great event for me! Honoured judges of such a prestigious contest have chosen me among the most worthy and talented masters! It’s hard for me to believe this! I thank you with all my heart!”
Cookie Award:
Aixa Zunino, Dolce Sentire
“I’m so proud and honoured. Winning the ‘Cake Oscar’ is a dream come true, one of the most pleasurable moments of my life. When I was told that the Cookie Award was mine, I was stunned! It was a surprise, it took a while to sink in but I am very happy and feel especially blessed!”
Best Book Award:
100 Buttercream Flowers: The complete step-by-step guide to piping flowers in buttercream icing by Valeri Valeriano & Christina Ong
“Winning a trophy or not, Cake Masters Awards is a celebration of the amazing talent in the cake industry… but to be able to walk up to the stage (while Valeri was crying) and receive that award is a huge blessing. It is definitely a night we will treasure forever. Thank you Rosie and Yawar, and to the rest of CMM team!”