A Taste of Art returns with regency, romance and cake

All is fair in love and cake, for there was no battle of the bakers. It was, as they say, a celebration of creativity, artistry, femininity, playful intrigue and masterful storytelling. Dearest gentle readers, may we introduce you to the sweetest food affair to grip the ton over the weekend – the second season of A Taste of Art: The Exhibition.

Hosted by Sugabuzz Desserts, in association with Sweet Greetings, specially invited guests gathered at the Grand Suite located at Summit Kingston to witness the official unveiling of 10 exquisitely gastronomic showpieces.

Before the main event got underway, the lords and ladies of the ball didn’t hesitate to lift their spirits, helping themselves to the premium selection of wines from Bottega and Arrogant Frog, courtesy of AU Trading Company Limited.

Bottega Fragolino sparkled with the Rosso and Bianco variety. White wine lovers happily sipped on the brand’s Pinot Grigio, while those with a sweet tooth indulged in the Moscato Fermo. Those with a refined palate for red wine were also treated to Arrogant Frog’s Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot.

Once they had their fill of bubbly et al, attendees found their seats on either side of the catwalk or stood on the outskirts to view the spectacle that was about to unfold. Overhead, stylish umbrellas, usually used for protection, hung inverted, providing the perfect fashion accessory for the occasion. Events by Jesse’s certainly understood the assignment. So too did the featured cake connoisseurs.

Kicking things off with a bang, Rasheeda Gordon of Cake Away wowed the audience when her exquisite four-tier cake entitled ‘Victorian Vintage’ hit the runway. Inspired by British-American master cake decorator, Joseph Lambeth, Gordon honoured the intricate buttercream piping technique. With radiant colour, she evoked regalia, nostalgia and romance through edible work of art.

Hastings Fowler-Smith of Orange Peel Caterers Estate presented ‘Rose Gold Manor’. The piece, Fowler-Smith told Food, “was inspired by my memories of [my] teen years when Mills & Boons and Harlequin books fuelled my love of romance; dukes and duchesses, lords and ladies, rolling estates, castles and manors, and the most important ingredient: love.”

With great intrigue and suspense, in the absence of Camille Flimn of Cake Couture Ja, her mother presented her piece, ‘Pomp and Circumstance’. “This cake symbolises the most unusual love match between Penelope and Colin Bridgerton, with an emphasis on season three, where the love story blossoms. Penelope has matured from juvenile shades of yellow to the warmer, mature shades of sage, as she now incorporates the ever-present Bridgerton Blue into her sunshine-filled wardrobe, although Wedgwood blue is symbolic for the esteemed family. Colin marches to his own drum with other shades of blue, including navy. Together, the two create a seemingly unconventional pairing as unique as the tiers of this cake,” she shared.

Next up with an ode to female royalty, LaQueata Donaldson of the Cakes by Queata showcased the triple crown wig, “With the versatility of a modern lace front wig and the drama of royal flair, I created a design that lets young Queen Charlotte shine with three stunning styles in one, highlighting the timeless beauty of the period reimagined for a new generation.”

Trudi-Ann Stephenson of Sweet Lady Cakes took eager spectators to the ballroom. This delightful dance down the runway showcased a gorgeous Bridgerton-inspired, four-tier cake, designed to capture the romance and refinement of a Regency-era ball. Employing hues of soft blue, blush pink and luxurious gold, intricate details honoured high society and the soirées that would ensue during the season, reflecting glamour, grace and the grandeur of a fairytale.

Speaking of grandeur and high society, Rochelle Makyn of the Suga Mama Cakes walked the runway, cake in hand, paying a unique tribute to the Regency era with an exquisite hat, topped with a fascinator, sculpted from sugar, spice and imagination. Old charm meets new world mastery, there’s no telling the places and things this piece has seen: beauty, ballrooms, and secrets in between.

Bethia Palmer of Iris Griffiths Cakes found beauty in blue, admiring the sophistication of Bridgerton’s drawing room and the immaculately kept gardens to promenade. Tru-Sha Russell from 35Bakery Delights unveiled a royal collection of floral cupcakes, more uniquely called ‘bouquet-cakes’. With beauty, grace and romance reigning supreme, the elegant hand piping technique took the spotlight, blooming much like the gardens of England’s finest estates.

Stepping into her purpose, similar to the name of her piece, Sugabuzz’s Suelan Chung-Evans, highlighted the sugary elegance of the feet with Regency-inspired slippers. “This piece is a celebration of what transpires when one dares to undoubtedly walk boldly into one’s divine calling,” she added.

And last but certainly not least, The Cookie Studio’s Camille Morgan presented a beautiful portrait of the crowned Queen Charlotte, with a piece titled, ‘Sorrows, Sorrows, Prayers’.

This portrait delves beyond the opulence and power of Queen Charlotte’s crown to reveal the emotional weight she bears beneath it. Titled ‘Sorrows, Sorrows, Prayers’, “My piece references the ceremonial nature of grief and the quiet rituals we perform to survive it. It captures Queen Charlotte not just as a monarch, but as a woman balancing duty with despair, strength with suffering. Through rich textures and expressive detail, the piece invites viewers to see the queen not as an icon, but as a soul, wrapped in silence and prayer.”

Off the runway, Orange Peel Caterers provided ackee cups and jerk chicken mac ‘n’ cheese. Occasions Catering shared its rendition of escovitch fish and festival, as well as red herring dip with pita chips. PA Benjamin satisfied sweet cravings with cookies, parfait and mini cake squares; Sweet Lady Cakes JA presented mini rum cupcakes; while The Cookie Studio JA gave out cookies.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com