The Silence of the Lambs Cake

So here it is! Tonight, we delivered our entry for the Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Experience - the Czar of Cakes Challenge.

Bit of a spoiler - it's not getting judged till Saturday, but I'm confident in declaring that we're all getting our asses handed to us by Gateaux. Seriously. I'd recently heard a rumor that Robin from Gateaux had sold her soul to the devil. DEFINITELY starting to believe that one. (Though, when I asked her about it, she did tell me that the devil actually sold HIS soul to HER... that may explain MORE!).

Anyway, I HAVE to post photos! It's been killing me to keep my theme and pics all hush-hush before the competition.

So, here's the deal. In the course of our brainstorming: "What are our favorite foods?" "What would make a kick ass cake?" "What would be funny/different?", etc.. we got slightly off track and thought maybe to look to other media for inspiration, rather than just restaurants and grocery stores. Any songs that feature a food theme? How about movies?

Well, at the suggestion of food related movies, one of us popped off a quote about Liver, fava beans, and a nice Chianti (there may have been alcohol involved in this brainstorming session).. and AWAY WE WERE. An idea that we were virtually GUARANTEED that no one else would think of, much less actually use: A Silence of the Lambs Cake

Like I mentioned on social media, I honestly did float a few other ideas by a WHOLE BUNCH of people, a little part of me thinking I should probably be talked down from this idea. Nope. Bunch of enablers! Love em!

So, I set about working on all the fussy little details.. a bottle of Chianti (in the traditional style bottle!).. sugar "death's head" moths, painted in cocoa... liver & fava beans out of fondant.. a fondant "radish rose" and sugarpaste sprig of basil for garnish... a fondant plate, gumpaste cutlery (all airbrushed with edible metallic silver luster!).. Hannibal Lecter's mask.. and a brain. Muahaha!

(Editted to add - Been asked about the size a few times. The "man" is actually life sized, everything else is also "real" sized. The moths are about 5" across, the cutlery all proper sized.. it was a monster of a cake!)
I will shut up and post photos now!

Obviously not a traditional interpretation of a "Food and Wine" themed cake, but hey.. Looking forward to seeing what the audience and judges' reactions will be!