Cake of the Month:

Linda Knop

Name: Linda Knop, Sugar Cakes

Facebook: SugarCakesLindaKnop Instagram: @sugar_cakes_linda_knop
Website: www.sugarcakes.co.za

Education: Self-taught cake artist

Describe the cake, details and techniques:
The bodice and face was all handmade with a lot of handmade intricate frills and different techniques on the top part of the dress. You will also notice her skin is quite translucent. I wanted her to fit right into the Neoclassical Era of papery white skin; Marie Antoinette after all did bathe in milk.

I used a lot of different textures and techniques on this cake. The dark Cherry Red color was mixed with 4 different colors and the frills are all individually handmade and attached to create a 3D effect on the dress.

Lots of layering where the gold and flowers come together as well as layering on the bottom part of the dress to create style and sophistication - which was so well-known for this era.

What is the inspiration for this winning cake?
I created her for the CakeFlix Collaboration, I wanted to create a Neoclassical Marie Antoinette and my inspiration for this was the movie "The Duchess." In the movie the actresses have papery white flawless skin, big hairdos, and fantastic dresses. I also absolutely adore this era - so creating this cake was an absolutely joyful journey.

How much time did you spend creating this cake?
Nearly 6 days on and off with presenting classes in between at my studio.

What do you do while you work?
I always listen to music, from classical to the 80's and the latest, all to get me in the zone. It feels like I cannot be creative without music!