Today we’d like to introduce you to Lise Bonin.
Hi Lise, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My background is in biomedical research which brings together the perfect storm of science, fine motor skills, attention to detail, &, of course, experimentation. There was always an unspoken camaraderie among lab members, sharing recipes, techniques, & sources while challenging each other’s creativity. Endless opportunities for baking exploration fostered my development & exploration.
Collaborative scientific work in an international environment made reaching out to fellow bakers around the world an easy progression. Drawing advice & pointers from cake artists in Canada, Germany, Australia, & South Africa facilitated my quest to create cakes that not only tasted amazing but showcased the sugar art that gives them character.
I’ve tried to reach beyond the standard wedding cakes, with fresh new flavor combinations & sugar work that calls the observer back for a second look. Some have even commented that the flowers “smell heavenly”! (favorite comment ever for sugar flowers – mission accomplished!)
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve always struggled with pen & paper, but give me a lump of sugar paste or fondant, & my hands easily translate the images from my mind. From that came my love for sugar sculptures & especially sugar flowers. A humble gardener, I study God’s handiwork closely, aiming to capture that natural, soft look, & just the perfect hue of color with every little detail.
It’s an ongoing challenge, spending hour after hour standing there, coaxing the sugar paste into that perfect petal while avoiding breakage & tearing. I usually start on sugar flowers up to a month before the wedding, knowing that the many stages of drying, adding more layers, applying color, steaming, wrapping, & arranging takes so much time. I find roses to be some of the most difficult to create. Expectations are high, & there are so many different styles of roses, each with its character & specific look.
Add to that the nuances of the bride’s color palette and floral choices for a truly daunting challenge. I love to see my sugar flowers blend with the bride’s floral selections. Sometimes the choices may seem a bit unusual, but when the finished cake is delivered, it all comes together perfectly. And the best part? The response from the wedding party when they first see the cake. The unspoken satisfaction, of knowing that you’ve made someone’s dream cake a reality, makes it all worthwhile.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create bespoke cakes for weddings & other large events, including birthdays, graduation, showers, etc. All of my cakes are baked from original elements, using the freshest ingredients & natural oils/extracts when possible, even locally sourced berries for handmade conserves to embellish cake & buttercream flavors.
I offer tasting/consultation appointments as well as delivery to Austin metro, Dallas metro, & NE Texas. With over 11 years in business & too many years of baking experience to count, I’m happy to work with you to make your event just a bit more special.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Focus has been the key to my success in the wedding cake business & a great source of satisfaction for me as a sugar artist. Initial offerings of other confections distracted & even diluted my efforts to pursue the design challenges of larger cakes. I was told that if I limited my work to a specific product, it would strengthen my place in the market.
This leap of faith turned out to be a critical step for Cake Doctor LLC & the beginning of great things. Each cake has its challenges as I push myself to keep the techniques fresh & exciting. R & D is a real thing in this cake world, always adding new flavor experiences & design ideas. Limiting the scope of my work has allowed me the more dedicated effort to perfect the art of large designer cakes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cakedoctorphd.weebly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cakedoctorllc/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/CakeDoctorLLC/
