In the cake world, and actually in my world too, there are few that are bigger than Peggy Porschen. She is the queen of cake and cookie decorating, a woman that gets respectfully mobbed at cake shows by cake decorating enthusiasts around the world. With three successful books published on cake decorating, she has a fourth coming out in May. Peggy doesn't follow trends, she starts cookie and cake trends and her incredible iced cookies were what started me onto my iced cookie obsession. And somehow she knows my blog? Oh my, how surreal a moment that was!
When my friends Linda and Guy at Whimsical Cakehouse told me that German born and London based Peggy was on her way to Sydney and asked if I wanted to interview I stood up straight and said something quite incomprehensible but along the lines of "oh yes please!" And a couple of months later, there she was, showing people how to decorate a cake Peggy Porschen style with delicate lace imprints and airy light touches that you'd swear were painted on by gossamer winged fairies.
She has three parts to her business set in fashionable Belgravia in London: the academy where students enrol in a one month course to gain a diploma, the parlour which is a feminine space where people can sit down and try some of her cakes and cookies. And lastly, there is the bespoke cake making business where she makes cakes for wedding and special celebrations - a recent order was for Kate Moss and Jamie Hince's wedding cake. Her husband New Zealand born and Australian raised Bryn Morrow, runs the business side.
She had just finished up one of her two days classes, where 20 students learned the art of lace stencilling and flowers with her. The classes were upwards of $1,200 per person and both classes filled quickly selling out within a day or two. Whimsical Cakehouse regularly bring out cake superstars like Debbie Brown, Kaysie Lackey and Jacqueline Butler and touring internationally for them is cyclical.
Indeed, the Peggy Porschen Academy is hosting Jacqueline Butler of Petalsweet who is famous for her beautiful handcrafted sugar flowers and Wendy Kromer who is a contributing editor of Martha Stewart Weddings.
Whimsical Cakehouse would also play host to an exclusive book signing of Peggy's newest release, Boutique Baking (which hasn't officially been released yet). The book contains more accessible cake recipes for the less "hardcore" decorators. Peggy's point of difference is because she has a pastry chef background, the taste of her cakes is as important as their look so there are cake recipes as well as decorating ideas.
As I am before every interview, I was nervous but excited. I wasn't sure what she'd be like; I had seen interviews with her and she was polite and modest. Changing out of her chef's whites, she arrived wearing a salmon pink silk dress, a black jacket and L.K. Bennett black high heels and she is petite, thoughtful, charming and warm. Sitting down and talking to her was like chatting to a friend about their trip. So without further ado, here is my video interview with Peggy (and please excuse my overly expressive hands!).
So tell me Dear Reader, who is a superstar in your world or who would you like to meet or interview? And tell me, do you prefer video interviews or transcribed interviews with pictures?
Peggy Porschen
116 Ebury Street, Belgravia, London,SW1W 9QQ
Tel: 020 7730 1316
http://www.peggyporschen.com
Whimsical Cakehouse
743 Port Hacking Rd, Dolans Bay, NSW 2229, Australia. By appointment only.
Tel: +61 (02) 9501 2492
http://www.whimsical.com.au/
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