We hope that the new design will make navigating the newsletter easier for you.  We have a links bar on the left side - in each newsletter those links will make it easier for you to get directly to our class schedule, the new recipes or to see Kristie's latest cakes.  We will still have feature articles and links to more information below - but this way it puts more information at your fingertips.  Let me know what you think!

 

We still have a few spots available for Sallia's Wedding Cake Construction and Gumpaste Flowers classes that start this weekend.  These classes are 3 Saturdays in a row and will finish-up just in time for wedding season!  In the Wedding Cake Class, Sallia shares her experiences and knowledge and students practice construction methods and wedding cake design scenarios and get a copy of her wedding cake handbook.   During the gumpaste class students will learn the techniques to make beautiful realistic looking flowers made from gumpaste.  A new class option is being added on Some Sunday afternoons - the Capital Confectioners Cake Club is going to be holding classes on Sundays at the store.  Each class will be a different theme with different techniques.  All supplies are included for each class.  The next one is a Graduation Theme - May 17th - just in time for all of those graduations coming up!  Click the class schedule link on the left for more details and to register. 

 

I have had the honor over the past few years to get to know Jacquy Pfeiffer.  He is a master pastry chef and a founder and owner of the French Pasty School in Chicago, IL.  We have sponsored several classes that he has taught here in Austin at the Culinary Academy of Austin.  The most recent class was right after the Cake Show and he taught Classic French Pastries - mmmmmm - they were as delicious as they were beautiful! 

 

All of the people who were lucky enough to take his class wanted to know about the other classes that he teaches and wanted to know more information about his school.  I thought you might be interested too - so here are some links to their website.  They schedule some amazing visiting chefs - one that is coming up is a Spanish Celebrity "Fiesta".  - what an opportunity to participate in class with amazing master chefs!  Check out their entire continuing education schedule for more information about all of the other classes offered.  

 

The facility at the French Pastry School is truly first rate and the instructors are all true masters at their craft.  I can't imagine a better place to take a class!

The Capital Confectioner's Club is going to be hosting several classes at the store on selected Sundays.  The first one will be on May 17th and will be a Graduation Theme.  I will be teaching along with Kim Sanchez, Michelle Hilliker and Kyla Myers.  We will be using a variety of techniques and mediums.  Books, tassels, edible diploma, edible images and more!  Sign up soon.  Seating is limited.  All supplies are included and you will leave with your creations!

 

Mark your calendar for the June class.  Lisette Vergara (yes, the winner of this year's Showcake Competition) will be teaching her unique fondant layering technique that yields a really cool design that can be used for so many applications.  The technique will be applied to whimsical springtime flowers like on the picture.  Lisette has also used this technique to create dramatic flames and beautiful edible jewelry.  This class will be held on 6/14 - sign-up soon - this class is sure to sell-out. 

 

A group of dedicated cake artists are trying to get legislation passed in Texas that would allow someone to apply for a license to legally produce baked goods from their home kitchen.  You may not know it, but it is currently illegal to produce and sell baked goods from a home kitchen.  The Bill, HB 3282 was introduced by Representative Gattis and is currently under review by the Texas House of Representative's Public Health Committee.  As you would expect, there is much support from the people who are currently operating small home-based businesses "under the radar" and people who would want to be able to operate legally and there is opposition from several lobby groups including the Retail Baker's Association, The Texas Restaurant Association and others.  The bill stipulates that the Health and Human Services Commission would create rules, application procedures, etc. for home bakers to follow.  Food Handling training and testing would be required and there are restrictions as to the types of baked goods that can be produced and the scope of customers. The Committee should be voting on the Bill in the very near future. 

 

Go to www.TexasCottageFoodLaw.com for more information and let your legislator know your opinion!