International Baking Industry Expo Was filled with Sweets and Treats
Photos by Nikki Artale
The convention hall was filled with cakes, cupcakes, Gelato, frozen yogurt, breads and lots of chocolate in a Willie Wonka Wonderland of delicacies. The cake decorations were magnificent and spectacular, especially the gold tiered wedding cake created by artists Alan and Laurie Budiman of Caljava International.
The gelato demonstration gave an easy step by step instruction that anyone could duplicate and make at home and create professional looking gelato cakes. Another demonstration was a watering can cake that also was easy to make.
Tables were filled with original designed cakes that were judged and awarded prizes for the best in show and many of the bakers won several ribbons in the assorted categories. The best in show was a Raccoon Cake that was a perfect replica and too real to eat.
California Raisins had a section in the hall with International Chefs who baked the raisins in pretzels, cookies, brownies and breads and all were put out as samples for tasting. They were absolutely delicious and one of the best booths there.
The highlight of the International Baking Industry Expo was when Buddy Valastro, of Cake Boss came to demonstrate the decoration of a wedding cake and a birthday cake with Fondant. He brought his own tools. Everyone was very excited to meet Buddy and watch his artistry in draping the Fondant. He shared many stories of how he started baking in his father’s bakery as a young boy and how it evolved into his famous T.V. shows. Buddy was also in town for the grand opening of his new restaurant Buddy V’s inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian/Palazzo
The United States Pizza Team held a pizza making contest and the first place winner is going to Italy to compete for the world title. It was interesting to watch them throw and fling the pizza dough into the air, which is an art in itself.
Many workshops were held during the three day expo and I found the Head Cake Sculptures to be amazing.
Once again, with over 35 countries that were represented there, it was a global and successful affair. The next IBIE will be in 2016 and I urge you to attend this baker’s delight.
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