Class with the Amazing Mike McCarey

I got the chance to take two classes with the amazing Mike McCarey.  Mike is one of the top leading decorators in the country and has won several of the Food Network Challenges.  The highlight of the weekend was learning how to make Big Bird.  I'm not sure what I expected but it exceeded anything I could have imagined.  There was a lot of work involved and at times I didn't know if mine would turn out looking like a bird, but in the end it did.


Day one started with us learning about structures.  I'd not thought too much about them in the past but now I look at every new cake idea differently.  In order to make a strong structure you've got to be creative.  We used steel pipes, copper, pvc pipes, nuts and bolts.

Mike McCarey's wonderful assistant Mike posed so I could make sure I got the correct angle for Big Bird.



This should feed about 30 people depending on how you cut it.



After we made our structures it was time to 'load' the cake and sculpt Big Bird.  We used Mike's cake and icing which is quite a bit denser than mine but it made carving easy.  He stressed that each step is important to a successful outcome so we paid special attention to this step. Mike's assistant laughed at how delicate I was carving so he showed me how to be more intentional with my strokes.  The most important thing during this step is knowing when to stop.



With all the foundation steps out of the way it was time to dress the bird.  We used rolled fondant and  modeling chocolate to do the detail work.  I've never used modeling chocolate before but I'm hooked. It's easy to use, blend seams and is versatile.  The only drawback is it is affected by heat.  After 450 feathers, beak, eyes and big feet we have Big Bird!  I'm really proud of the finished product and I feel truly blessed to have taken the class.



 

I'm posing with Mike McCarey & my Big Bird.

 

Remember...450 individually applied feathers!





Side profile. 

 
  

I couldn't bring myself to cut him.

I can't wait to put into practice many of the techniques I've learned.  I've already got several ideas waiting to be realized.  Though it's a lot of work, it is sooo worth it in the end.

To God Be the Glory,

Lisa