Colourful cake creations from tops hats, a Rubik’s cube to minions are on display at Alexandra’s Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery this weekend.  

The NZ Cake Decorators Guild’s annual conference is back after a two-year Covid-induced hiatus.

It combines demonstrations, competitions, and social events for members of the 32 cake decorating clubs around NZ. 

Items on display included intricate peonies made from cold porcelain – an inedible modelling paste – which look surprisingly real, and formal cakes which belong at a wedding.

Top hats in the ‘anything goes’ category.   

Club members range from hobbyists to professionals and there are competitions for novices, intermediate and advanced levels in several categories. 

There’s also a competition between guilds from around the country.

“Guild members are told a year in advance what the theme will be and work on a team plaque with a set of rules and dimensions,” the guild’s Kelly Burdon said. 

“This year’s theme is the rail trail.”

Waitakere City’s entry was judged best by fellow guild members, but during the weekend the public also gets a chance to cast a vote for their favourites.

Waitakere City’s winning Rail Trail plaque.  

The local Central Otago Cake Decorating Club has around 20 members who meet every third Tuesday of the month at Alexandra Community House. Club member Judith Crosland won the Novice section of the flower art. 

Local Judith’s Crosland’s winning peony. 

A highlight of the weekend for attendees is the presence of experienced Australian chef Serdar Yener, whose sugar centrepieces are world-renowned. 

Yener has a dedicated following amongst cake decorators thanks to his online tutorials which encourage amateurs to replicate his amazing creations. 

Trade stalls selling everything the dedicated cake decorator could ever need are also on site. 

What happens to the creations at the end of the weekend?

“Most will go home with the contestants,” Kelly said. “If they are kept in a cool dark place they can actually last for years.” 

Many of the items on display over the weekend are artworks from prior events.

The display remains open to view today Sunday November 6) until 1pm. Entry is $3. 

The conference heads to Napier next year, and then to Dunedin for 2024. 

Some of the sugar art on display.