How I prep for a cake, Should I

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CIAA 2012, CIAA cake, CIAA events, CIAA Saturday, Kendra Jordan CIAA, KeShaJo Bakes CIAA

I was commissioned to design the CIAA’s 100th Anniversary cake for the infamous annual basketball tournament in the beautiful Queen-City of Charlotte, North Carolina.  Even though I’ve already checked off my bucket list task of making a television appearance in my lifetime (insert Cake Boss: Next Great Baker here), I am still filled with butterflies whenever I make an appearance.  This event is unlike any other, because it’s all about the kid…me, only me.  *knee-tremble*  No other contestants from Season One on the sidelines waiting their turn…it’s me… *stomach-flips~”I want my mommy!”

But anyway, I decided to blog about how I get ready to prepare a cake.  Well, not the actual “step-by-step” but moreso about how I plan to decorate a cake. 

RESEARCH:

The CIAA…acronym for Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, is well-known throughout the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.  Founded in 1912 on the campus of my alma mater, Hampton University, it was created to bring order and presence amongst athletics of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities). Since then, the CIAA has become a mecca for those who attend and graduated from colleges who are still or were apart of the conference.  

So, do I incorporate all of the colleges & universities that were and/or are members of the CIAA?  Hmm… 

I’ve been attending the CIAA since I was a young teenager.  I started attending the conference when it was being hosted in Winston-Salem, and I continued to migrate to its presence in Raleigh for a few years and now, in the Queen City of Charlotte.  Even though I’m a Hampton grad, like many CIAA regulars, you can’t help but enjoy the festivities that the CIAA brings. 

So…should I just focus on the Queen City or, all the places that have hosted the CIAA?

Should I make cupcakes representing each college/university…should I make only one flavor or three flavors?

Should I, should I…should I

So…today, I’m sketching…or rather, researching…3 tiers…cupcakes, of course.  CIAA logo, Queen City represent!, 12 colleges & universities, basketball….

Stay tuned…

Post Valentine’s Day

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call of duty cupcakes, gifts for him, gifts for men, hunting cupcakes, keshajo bakes, modern warfare cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, Sexy cupcakes, shotgun cupcakes, shotgun shells cupcakes, tarheel cupcakes, unc tarheels, unc tarheels cupcakes

Yesterday is gone and I don’t think I would ever feel so happy to see Valentine’s Day become my past.  In true cupcake fashion, I was baking away all day (whew!)…but honestly, I’m so glad so many people allowed me to be more creative in their gift-giving.  When I look at the boring assortment of choices super-franchises offer, the boxed chocolates, that were a major hit in the 80s are now, in my opinion, equivalent to an obscene gesture.  No real thought goes into it.  And let us not forget the cellophane-wrapped semi-dead roses that have since blossomed and died past the typical florist shelf-life.  And don’t get me started on greeting cards.  But at KBs…I for one, was overjoyed with the declaration of love that was shown through cupcakes in such a unique way.  Yesterday, I was bombarded with bras and butts…and so many red velvet cupcakes, I thought I was going color blind.  Sexy cupcakes, shotgun shells, tarheels, and Call of Duty….kinda dope and an awesome way to say, I love you for being you.

He loves hunting. Shotgun shells.

He loves Call of Duty. Call of Duty for Xbox toppers.

He loves UNC Tarheels.

The infamous sexy cupcake collection, with 9 Red Velvet cupcakes.

 

A Cupcake for a Queen, RIP

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gone too soon whitney houston, kupkakes, whitney houston, whitney houston commemorative, whitney houston cupcake, whitney houston dead, whitney houston died, whitney houston memorial

Realizing it wasn’t another Twitter death…and that CNN was even reporting the sad news, I found a way to pay my condolences and experience joy in the midst of a wave of sorrow, as people learned of the untimely death of legendary singer, Whitney Houston.  I immediately began creating a cupcake to commemorate her life.  A memorial cupcake I guess you could say.  I printed an edible image and created a black antique-inspired frame out of fondant/gumpaste to capture the smile that made us all love her once she won us over with her song! 

I didn’t just get on the Whitney hype post-death…I was always a fan of hers.  Even as transparent as she sometimes came off as she struggled with drug addiciton and self-worth, I was rooting for her.  When she made her comeback a few years ago and posed for InStyle magazine, I was in awe  at how a woman that was once so low, was beginning her ascension.  She looked stunning, and her smile was captivating, filled with promise.  I was so inspired by her revival that I made her apart of my vision board of people and things which inspire me. 

I was rooting for her…always a fan of the Comeback Kid, the return of the prodigal “daughter”…I just knew that with a rehabilitative program and her innate love for God, she would have a future.  I knew it would be tough, but I didn’t think she was headed for the recent events that have taken her too soon.  She has been added to my cupcake hall of fame and there she will sit as I continue to turn tragedy into triumph.  Whitney Houston will now always experience the greatest love of all!