BAKED: A Visit To The Canada Baking & Sweets Show

Clear orders were stamped in bold, red, upper-case letters on my wrist. But at what temperature and for how long I wondered?

It's Sunday, I am exhausted. K and I spent two hours at the grocery store (I wonder how many relationships end as a result of grocery shopping...). Last night we pulled an all-nighter at Nuit Blanche (a little disappointing this year if you ask me). I spent four hours at a pastry arts course prior to that and another two hours trying to decide on a new car. I spent most of Friday at a work-related conference, trekked to the other end of the city for a medical appointment and then went to class (unrelated to baking) in the evening for 3.5 long hours.

So yeah, it's Sunday and I am exhausted, but I could not let the weekend end without a trip to the second annual Canada Baking & Sweets Show. I really enjoyed it last year, so I figured it could only get better.

It's 11:30 and with the back seat overcrowded with grocery, K dropped me off at the entrance to Hall 5. Two hours I tell him, ok, three the most! Or you can come in with me and I'll be less likely to stay longer... we both looked at each other and laughed. Ok, you're off the hook - and away he went to unload and put away groceries.

I skipped through the entrance doors and up to the ticket counter. "Next!" Just as I was about to step forward to purchase a ticket, a voice asked if I would like a ticket. Well, of course I would like a ticket, it's precisely why I am lined up at the ticket counter! I turned to see a woman with a half-opened envelope and five tickets spilling out. Is she really scalping tickets, right in the line-up? I guess she read my mind, because before I could verbalize my thoughts, she said they were free.

The law-abiding side of my brain sent alarms ringing through my head at decibels only dogs should be able to hear. The frugal side of my brain set my hand in motion in a gesture of acceptance and instructed my mouth to do the same. Thank you!! OMG, are you sure? Oh, thank you!! The other four people in queue behind me, also took her up on her offer. Then we all looked at each other and had the same thought/question - what if they're fake? Thank goodness, they weren't!! I have the letters in ink on my body to prove it.

Gravity Feed Airbrush - BAKED: A Visit To The Canada Baking & Sweets Show

First stop, Flour Confections. I had been thinking about getting an entry-level airbrush and they just happened to have it on sale and no tax. Wrap it up! I also picked up some petal dusts, disco dusts and airbrush colours. Freebie - a 'Go Frost Yourself' tote bag. 🙂

Also picked up some molds from Icing Inspirations and met the man behind Marvelous Molds. A person could go broke on molds alone.

Strawberry Shortbread - BAKED: A Visit To The Canada Baking & Sweets Show

Next stop, the Sprucewood booth. I was not going to leave that hall without these cookies. I purchased four boxes last year and have been hooked since. This year, I picked up eight, so that I can spread the sweetness. My fave is Raspberry, but I also really like Maple and Spicy Thai, oh, and Irish Cream - so I got them all.

Next up, DAVIDsTEA! These three lovely ladies were super sweet and so was the tea!

Oh, how I wish you could smell this tea. It contains chocolate - NO LIE!!

Next, over to my cookie crush - Marian of Sweetopia - for a little how-to session. Then to the Duff presentation (was not close enough to get a decent photo). The guy is hilarious, though.

Now it's off to be awed by the amazing creations of some very talented cake artists. Here are just a few...

There were so many amazingly, intricate designs on some of the cakes, a photo taken with my iPhone did not do them justice.

This would have been a cool ride home, but K showed up before I had the opportunity to find out. Hmm, I wonder if I could arrange to make this my next car... Saturday's search did not yield any results.

Time to head home. Five hours and 20°C later, I was BAKED!

Comments

Melissa Barbakoff says

October 01, 2012 at 12:20 am

Love!!! That is so cool you got to Marian! She is so kind! I am glad you had fun at the Sugar Show. Nothing fun like that comes to Phoenix.

Regina @SpecialtyCakeCreations says

October 01, 2012 at 7:32 am

Thanks for taking us with you to the sweet show despite your already busy weekend! So awesome that you got to see so many amazing sweet artists {jealous..} and stock up on new products. Looking forward to read about your airbrushing experiences 🙂

Paula Kelly-Bourque says

October 01, 2012 at 12:26 pm

You certainly do pack a lot into your weekends! Glad that you did make it to the Baking and Sweets show and how nice that you were given a ticket!! Five hours?! So much for three at the most LOL. Those cakes are amazing and I'm excited to see what you do with that new air brush.

I Sugar Coat It! says

October 02, 2012 at 10:08 pm

Then you'll have to visit Toronto, Melissa! 🙂

I Sugar Coat It! says

October 02, 2012 at 10:09 pm

Thanks, Regina. I plan to play around with it tonight.

I Sugar Coat It! says

October 02, 2012 at 10:11 pm

Maybe I'll se you there next year, Paula...

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