Quintbelles: Why We Bake Cakes

I don't know how many cake decorators there are in the country but there are about 45 members in Filipina Homebakers Online -- a group that fosters camaraderie of Filipina bakers. Sometimes, I wonder why we'd bother with the long hours, sticky and tired hands, the washing of a mountain pans and stuff,and the increasing prices of ingredients. Really, these are just some of the issues we deal with. Cake decorating isn't always as fun as they show in Ace of Cakes.

At 2am, while still working on a cake that I would have to deliver in 6 hours time, I continue to wonder if it's all worth it. Sleep? Maybe just nap. The cleaning? Those can't wait, you know...'Coz the icing will harden, then, it'll take even longer to wash off.

So why do we bake cakes? I think all the downside are overshadowed by one fact: we will be part of a special event. It could be a monthsary, the baptismal of the 4th child, or her job promotion. We may not know the celebrator, we may never ever meet them but one thing's for sure-- we would be on one of the photos they will take. The cakes we make get to be a star even for a few minutes. We spend multiple hours on a cake, and it'll be a quick birthday song but we still think it's 10 hours well spent. We may not even be recognize by the celebrator, but if for one moment, the cake made them happy-- that's all that matters to us.

And sometimes, what's amazing is you get to do a wedding cake and a 50th wedding anniversary cake on the same weekend!