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Cake International 2025 – A Weekend of Creativity, Community & Celebration

Cake International 2025 was an unforgettable whirlwind of colour, creativity, and cake artistry—and I’m thrilled to share my experience from this year’s show! It was a true honour not only to compete, but also to play a part behind the scenes in bringing one of the show’s most joyful displays to life.

Three Competition Pieces, Three Awards

This year, I entered three competition pieces, each one a unique challenge and a chance to push my skills further than ever before. The hard work truly paid off—I was incredibly proud to bring home two Silver Awards and a Bronze Medal! Standing among so many talented artists from around the world, seeing my pieces recognised by the judges, was a moment I’ll always treasure.

The CakeFlix Members Display – A Sparkling Celebration of Christmas

Alongside the excitement of competing, I had the privilege of helping to organise the CakeFlix Members Display—and what an amazing project it turned out to be!

Cake makers from all corners of the United Kingdom came together to create a dazzling, sparkling Christmas-themed showcase, with each piece inspired by tutorials from the CakeFlix Cake School. The display was filled with festive charm, intricate detail, and the unmistakable creativity of our wonderful community.

Seeing everyone’s work come together—each creation unique, yet all beautifully cohesive—made the display truly shine. It was a heartfelt reminder of the passion, generosity, and teamwork that define our CakeFlix family.

A Weekend to Remember

From celebrating my own competition results to experiencing the camaraderie and creativity of the CakeFlix team, Cake International 2025 was truly special. Events like this remind me why I love what I do—the artistry, the challenge, the friendships, and the magic of bringing ideas to life through sugar.

Thank you to everyone who supported me, collaborated with me, or stopped by to admire the displays. Here’s to more creativity, more learning, and even more showstopping sugar art in the year ahead!

The making of a guitar cake  

Mandy

guitar cake being worn and played
This has to be one of my most favourite cakes of the last year. I was asked to make an 18th birthday cake for Hunter, now knowing he was an aspiring musician and Brockenhurst college, I just had to make something spectacular for his special day. Im not sure his Dad  actually believed me that I could and would make him a cake guitar that he would be able to wear and pretend to play, until I rocked up to the venue and he saw it for himself.

The cake started out as a vanilla sponge with strawberry jam, I'm assured that the finished cake tasted as fabulous as it looked. so here's a few images of how this cake turned from eggs, sugar, butter and flour into a full size guitar. The first is after the neck underside has been made and covered using rice crispy treats , the main cake has been carved and the whole thing covered with its first layer of white chocolate ganache . 

The next is with its layer of white chocolate modelling paste ( did I say they liked white chocolate?)

Finally the finished cake, having been stanched and airbrushed with edible colours. The neck given an old worm bronze effect, strings and pickup added .The dots in the skulls eye sockets are glaze, so they catch and reflect light back , giving them a bit of a twinkle, so they're watching you.

WOW, where does the time go!

It’s been a whirlwind of crazy but amazing things since I last wrote on here.

So I went to the highlands of Scotland and spent a week with the best tutor ever. Paul Bradford, his skills are legendary, so off I set ,one heck of a drive later we ( my hubby came too) arrived at Strathardle lodge, which was to be our temporary  home and my first school for over 20 years!  Three other cake ladies were also in attendance and the first morning started with some trepidation.  Nerves got the better of me and I could not come up with a design. However fortunately Paul had a delivery arrive as he unpacked his new toys, inspiration hit me full on , and I knew exactly the cake in my head. We made two cakes during this course and I will never forget Paul’s reaction to my inspiration image, until that day I have never met anyone with the same creative brain as myself and who gets as excited with the image I can see in my head. It was simply amazing. To say I learnt  loads is an understatement , we had the best of times and it reignited my creativity and passions for creating beautiful and unique designs. I’m sure my new display designs show how inspired and wonderful this week was. 
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A warm welcome to my new website

Mandy Black

Finally I hear you say! Yes, I know this has been in my to do box for ages but today, with a few tweaks here and there still to do , it appears to be up and running.

Those who know that I have been planning a company name change for a while, so whilst this is still the same Elmsleigh cakes we know you have grown to love and trust, it is also subheaded Amanda Black Cakes. I hope you will like the new name and identity . I felt it was time my little cake company grew up and instead of behind the anonymous Elmsleigh Cakes title, I took full ownership by branding it as myself.

It has been said that as I design, bake, make and decorate every single cake that leaves my kitchen, I should tell everyone it was me who made it. So here I am stepping out of the shadows to say "Hello" to you all.

Success isn't about how much money you make ; it's about the difference you make in other people's lives" - Michelle Obama

This is one of my favourite quotes and I like to think that whilst I maybe a small company every cake I make really does make a difference to the person for whom it is made.

Everything else is staying the same I am still making birthday cakes, anniversary cakes, gender reveal cakes, retirement cakes, just name a celebration and there is bound to be a cake to be made for it.

Wedding cakes and cheese towers are still very much a part of my ongoing plan, both these items bring so much joy and in the case of the cheeses feed so many guest for so many hours.

feel free to contact my to discuss any cake requirements you have , 13 years into this journey and I still love it as much as ever. Now that has to be job satisfaction.

Sending hugs

Mandy