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Cool Christmas Tree Ideas and Gingerbread House Designs

The annual Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art is now open for a week-long showcase of designer Christmas trees and gingerbread houses just in time to inspire your holiday decor ideas. I went on opening day to check out this year’s collection of holiday decorations presented by Council of 101 as a fundraiser.

Designer Christmas Tree at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

This year’s theme is “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” featuring holiday vignettes, Christmas trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses all available for purchase.

Designer Christmas Tree at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

Each year, Council 101 reaches out to area businesses and designers to donate a decorated Christmas tree to be sold at the event. The high profile philanthropy project is a great way for participants to show off their creative talents.

Designer Christmas Tree at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

I attend every year to get fresh ideas to decorate my own tree and check out the latest holiday decorating trends.

Designer Gingerbread House at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

For holiday baking and gingerbread house making, the event brings together pastry chefs to showcase original gingerbread house creations, also on sale.

Designer Gingerbread Art at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

Designer Gingerbread Tree House at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

Participants elevate gingerbread to a sculptural artform, constructing different interpretations of the traditional holiday edible house.

Designer Gingerbread Tree House at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

Designer Gingerbread Art at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

Designer Gingerbread Camper at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

Designer Gingerbread Art at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

The Council of 101 was founded in 1965 to further the cultural development and appreciation of the visual arts in Central Florida.

Designer Gingerbread Art at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

Designer Gingerbread House at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

A group of more than 300 volunteers holds fundraisers to support the Orlando Museum of Art. The Festival of Trees is now in its 32nd year is a much-anticipated event on the holiday social calendar.

Designer Gingerbread House at Orlando Museum of Art event, Festival of Trees.

If you enjoy holiday baking and cake making like me, I invite you to check out an episode of my show, The Design Tourist, where I interview celebrity chef Buddy Valastro, star of the TV show Cake Boss and hear from other celebrity pastry chefs as they share tips, tricks and ideas for couture cakes.

For more on what’s new and next in design, subscribe to The Design Tourist Channel and sign up for the blog email.

November 11, 2018 0 comment

Design Articles Events Homepage

The Sweet Spot of Design—Cake as the Canvas

written by Karen LeBlanc

Good Design Takes Many Forms. Check out How Cake Becomes the Canvas

In just a few days, I’ll be sampling the sweet spot of design at The Americas Cake Fair (Cake Fair) in the company of celebrity cake decorators and mind-blowing baked confections. As a fan girl of “Cake Boss” star Buddy Valastro airing on TLC, with a curious mind for design of all kinds, I’m excited to interview him for an upcoming episode of The Design Tourist.

Buddy Valastro, Star of TLC’s Cake Boss, the cake decorating genius. Photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Meanwhile, here’s a sneak peek at the largest trade and consumer show in North and South America dedicated to cake, chocolate, sugar arts and more.

Cake decorating contests and some of the world’s best cake designs are on display at the Cake Fair. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Taking place at the Orange County Convention Center on October 13-15, 2017, more than 10,000 baking professionals, pastry chefs, cake artists, retail bakers, hobbyists and everyday foodies from around the world will attend the three-day celebration.

Pastry chefs and cake decorators put finishing touches on scene-stealing confections at The Americas Cake Fair. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Cake and pastry star sightings happen throughout the event at the live theater (main stage) will appearances by Buddy, Mich Turner, whose clientele includes The Queen of England, Madonna and David Beckham; pastry genius Ron Ben-Israel, named “the Manolo Blahnik of wedding cakes” by The New York Times;

Celebrity Cake Decorator Ron Ben-Israel, named “the Manolo Blahnik of wedding cakes” by The New York Times

Other foodie TV personalities include Nancy Fuller, host of Food Network’s Farmhouse Rules; and Natalie and Dave Sideserf, the husband-wife hosts of Food Network’s Texas Cake House. An exclusive VIP Meet & Greet on Saturday, October 14th invites guests to meet and mingle with their favorite television personalities, headliners and cake artists

Wedding cake designs on display at The Americas Cake Fair. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Presentations, live challenges and cake competitions provide drama and entertainment that rival any baking reality show. More than 100 hands-on classes, demonstrations and business seminars taught by the world’s most skilled cake decorators and industry professionals are open to the attendees. All classes are three hours in duration and must be booked in advance online.

Designer wedding cakes by some of the world’s most celebrated pastry chefs provide plenty of photo ops for design aficiondaos and foodies. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

One of the event’s highlights is The Sugar Art Fashion Show on Friday evening, October 13, with models strutting the runway adorned by cake costumes and edible ensembles, co-hosted by Ellyn and Fashion Stylist / On-Air Style Expert Melanie Pace, and benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Models wear outfits designed of sugar, chocolate and other sweet ingredients for the Sugar Art Fashion Show. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Models struts the catwalk wearing an outfit crafted of candied flowers for the Sugar Art Fashion Show. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Sweet shoes made of sugary ingredients on the catwalk at the Sugar Art Fashion Show. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Model wearing a Steampunk outfit crafted of chocolate struts the catwalk for The Sugar Art Fashion Show. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Check out the Live Global Cake and Chocolate Challenges, where international teams and individuals will battle for top honors.

Attendees can learn cake decorating techniques and draw inspiration from some of the world’s finest designer cakes on display at The Americas Cake Fair. photo credit: The Americas Cake Fair

Call forth your cake-baking muse as a spectator or participant in traditional cake competitions offering cash prizes for contestants across all skill levels.

If you are interested in participating in hands-on classes, demonstrations and Retail Bakers Association seminars, advance registration is recommended.

An exhibit hall overflowing with products and services, including some items for cash and carry.

Prices start from $30 for regular, single-day adult admission with advance online purchase Stay up to date on Cake Fair event updates, special offers and exclusive contests by following the show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@cakefair). For more information, visit www.cakefair.com. Subscribe to The Design Tourist Channel for new episodes featuring sweet designs and celebrity cake decorator interviews.

October 4, 2017 0 comment