My Valentine's Day!

I've been delayed posting this blog! This happened last Valentine's day and I was so happy to earn something out of my baking & decorating!

I brought 5 bags of sweet goodies (1 bag not pictured) & brought them to our office. . All bags were big & heavy containing orders and some more extras sold at the office.

I was hesitant to bring these all to the office because it'll be my very first to bring out my products. I am a little bit insecure of my work, not to mention, I have other big competitions there. They sell bouquets of flowers & bears all professionally arrange. These guys are already experienced in the field. Besides, I also have Betty's to worry about. What if people would rather buy from these stores? They are more known & already established. I am still trying to penetrate the market. The office is the best place I could advertise my skill as baker & cake decorator.

I was praying to God that people will buy my stuff. And thanks to Him, everything went well & smooth. My individual cupcakes sold out fast & some were evern asking for more of my 8 cuppies in a box. I am happy that they bought the other stuff I offered them as an alternative. I really thank God for this opportunity. I answered some queries, too. Some emailed me if I also make cakes for other special events. I said yes to them & they would like to order from me on other special events or occassions. Thank God!

I am happy to for I have gotten a return from the investment I made with my partner, Mr. Zybone Nacilla, on the products. He makes cakes, too. His specialty are chocolate cupcakes, leche flan, & cookies.

I wasn't able to take pictures of the products we all made because we didn't have much time especially when I got sick 2 days for the big day. All turned out well & again, thank you to those who patronized our products!

A Great Opportunity : A Challenge to Prove My Skill

Ok, so i had this crazy idea last Friday (Jan 16, 2009). I thought of making about 3 dozen cupcakes ala Valentine's Day look. This was like an introduction and at the same time, advertisement so I get to book orders from my officemates before Valentine's Day. And of course, another excuse for me to bake in my little kitchen and give it to my friends who are forever asking for a (another) sample of my works.

So, last December, I received this great recipe book from a friend. It was a totally great book because there are recipes on how to make fondant icing, chocolate ganache, buttercream icing, and the best chocolate cake (so far) I have made. I was (and still am) totally grateful to Chai for it!

Anyway, I brought them at the office & with God's blessing, I was able to get a few orders. 2 box of cupcakes from TL Joan Cavan, 2 boxes from Madam Arlyn, 5 boxes from Jen, 1 valentine's cake & leche flan (custard) from Dessa. Here are the cupcakes that I made that day...

Php 165.00 / box (8 cuppies)

But the best part is yet to come. I gave one to my TL and he suggested to give one to Ms. Joanne Rivera, our Account Manager. Hmm.. not a bad idea, BUT I went totally shy and said so. So my TL (Ritchie) and Dessa escorted me to Ms. Grace's workstation (near Ms. Rivera's station) strategically first and then offered one to Ms. Rivera after Ms. Grace took one and ate it. Ms. Rivera suddenly said she's going to order. (OMG!) She ordered 40 cupcakes! It was for Mr. Jeremy Lim's birthday, I believe one of the oldest and most respected Account Managers in the office, this coming Tuesday night. Came Monday, I already baked & decorated the cupcakes in advance. The next day my previous TL, Ms. Elle Genosolango, ordered a cake. At first, she wanted a chocolate cake with a heart-shaped icing on top. Later, she called me and asked me to make the biggest possible cake I could make! Of course, I was excited! I almost choked and for a second, forgot to give her an answer . A big cake for Mr. Lim! I agreed immediately. She wanted all chocolate, with blue icing, and a MAC icon on top of the cake. It took me the whole day to finish it. I was only able to sleep for 2 hours and then got ready to go to the office and deliver them. The real suspense came. I was waiting.

Later, an hour before my shift ended, Mr. Jeremy Lim approached me and thanked me for the cake. Oh, I almost forgot that I wrote him a letter thanking him for hiring me last 2006. He was the last interviewer at that time (after the nth interview for the week) and asked me about networking. He told me that he remembered that interview with me. Oh, joy! I was really thanking God for everything. *whew!* What a day.

To God be the glory and honor for the success of this day. I am sure it wouldn't be possible without Him. So I thank you, Lord for being always kind to me. You are always there, faithful, and true. =)

Oh, here are the sweets, guys! Hope you like 'em!

P.S. Thanks Ms. Elle & Ms. Rivera for the orders! You really gave me the opportunity and the challenge to make this a very good cake. I was able to prove myself as a cake decorator and baker. Hope to get more orders like these!

I would also like to thank Zybone because he assisted me in everything. He made the MAC MMFondant icon, the box to put the cakes in. Of course, washing the equipments and cleaning up my kitchen. *grin*

A New Year to Make History Better

I will be a little busy in the next 3 months (assuming there are uncontrolled events that's gonna happen) and I am hoping the God will allow my plans with an overflowing blessing. I will be enrolling myself in a few classes again to enhance my skill as a decorator. And also, since I've been looking forever for a class where I can learn about chocolates, I have to grab this chance.

I am planning to quit my job in the next 2 or 3 years so I could put all my time in this cake business. I have to start sometime anyway...

So, anyway, here's my schedule :

January 29 - Basic Chocolate Artistry

February 2 to 6 - Basic Cake Decorating (this will include 4 icing recipes, 12 cake designs & we will be required to dercoate a birthday and a 2-tier wedding cake.

March 4 - Cookies

March 11 - Art of Color Flow (for cookies, cupcakes, cake, etc.)

And to all Cebuanos, after my chocolate and deco classes, you can order from me for VALENTINES DAY! *happy grin*