Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Countdown to Kelly Ripa: Day 27

  • Pin It
As you may have heard by now - because I've been telling pretty much everyone I come in contact with - I've been chosen to go with a group of 15 food bloggers to New York for a special cake decorating event with the incomparable Kelly Ripa, to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. The wonderful people at Foodbuzz and Electrolux are putting together this event, and I have to say, rarely have I been so excited.
Now, of course, I'm excited to be raising awareness of a good cause - more on ovarian cancer and the pressing need for more research dollars in a few days. And a free trip to New York always puts a smile on my face. Meeting celebs, that's fab.

But the real reason I'm thrilled about this event is that I need serious help in the cake decorating realm. I'm a cook, and everything I make tastes great. But presentation? Not my strong suit. In fact, I have shed many a tear of frustration over the application of frosting. But no more - Kelly Ripa will lead me by the hand into the land of fondant and buttercream. Or, if not Kelly herself, whoever is actually running that part of the event.

So today I am taking out my cake decorating set, which looks just like the photo above. Yes, I own them, the bags and the couplers and the tips. I almost know how to put them together. But for today I will let them sit on the counter while I concentrate on slow, even breathing and recite my mantra for the day:

I must not have temper tantrum on camera. I must not have temper tantrum on camera. I must not have temper tantrum on camera.

That should work, right?

Every day from now until February 9th I'll be posting about my preparations, including practicing icing rosettes, writing in chocolate, the sure-to-happen "Oh crap, what am I going to wear?" panic, and important information about ovarian cancer and how you can help me raise awareness of this important women's health issue. Check back daily to see how I'm getting ready for the trip. Less than a month to go!

Got a question you want me to ask Kelly Ripa? Leave it in the comments section. I'll pick the best 20 and sit down with her when I'm in New York. Yay, girl talk with Kelly Ripa!

3 comments:

The Cooking Photographer said...

Lol omgosh no temper tantrums! It will make me laugh much to hard.

I can't wait to meet you Erika!

Laura

The Diva on a Diet said...

Relax and take a deep breath. Cake decorating can be so much fun and a wonderful creative outlet. For a brief period of time in the 90's I had a cake decorating business. Mostly I did weddings, and a few off-beat birthday cakes ... my favorite was in the shape/design of a hand-knit sweater. I wish I had jpg.s but this was before the digital age.

Anyway, the important thing to remember is that anyone can do it and the old adage applies - practice makes perfect. Rather than working out your frustrations on a cake, practice on waxed paper. Scrape up and mistakes, reload your piping bag and have at it again.

So very excited for you Erika, you're going to have a blast!!

Jackie said...

So cool! I can't think of anything to ask her though... but I'll let you know if I come up with something.

Post a Comment