Cake Guru

new photos

2009-11-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

Weddings, centerpiece cakes, snowmobile cake, baptism gown cake

2009-10-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

quick peak at some new photos!

2009-09-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

For my latest photos check out Tamara's cakes on facebook!

Facebook

2009-08-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a very small sample of why I have not updated posts, lol! I am sorry I have not been good about updating my blog, it is officially on my "to do" list on a daily basis, lol!

In the meantime I have been hooked on the relatively fast and easy Facebook updates, add Tamara's cakes as a Facebook friend, I update photos super fast!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Oshkosh-WI/Tamaras-Cakes/9376460209?ref=ts

So my latest work is always there, become a fan I am getting close to 5o0 fans! woohoo!

Also I am super excited about my soon to come Cakeguru tees, watch for more info....

Centerpiece cakes

2009-07-06T05:29:00.001-07:00

In the last 2 months I have had alot of fun with 3 sets of centerpiece cakes! Wanted to share results!

Some cakes from this week and a couple oldies from my camera

2009-03-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

Going to Disneyworld.... Princess cakes galore

2009-03-15T06:47:00.001-07:00

We leave in 10 days! Wohoo, just thought I would share a few omy castles I have done over the years, Disney World to me is the most magical place on earth.

The first one is a birthday cake for a super great girl who I know from Church. Her Mom said her fav place on earth... Disneyworld, that was so me at 18, wait that's me now!

The next one is a wedding cake.... Um, it was actually my wedding cake from over 12 years ago, so not the cake I would choose now, but it was a show stopper! And see I told you I love Disney!

The rest are Princess Inspired for little girls and grown up girls alike....

Pour Some Sugar....

2009-03-13T20:36:00.001-07:00

Tea Party at Apple Blossom Books...

Had the opportunity to bring some cupcakes to Apple Blossom books for a hometown book signing for Tea Shop Girls See article Here:

http://teashopgirl.blogspot.com/

The Cake Guru...

I am in the process of really transitioning to the Cake Guru as my Business name in addition to or instead of Tamara's

I'll share one of my new ads that I am super happy with the transition on. It's a good lead in to my already established cake guru website.

The story behind the Cake Guru is actually simple, For a few years; Everytime I delivered a cake to the Radisson Paper Valley in Appleton one of the set up crew would bow and say, ah.... the Cake Guru, and I thought how fun is that, so I adopted the name for my website, and over time thought it would be nice to blend the site in with the overall business name... so we are on our way!

Pour Some Sugar...

I attended the WBA and WRA show this week and an e-seminar. It was suggested in the seminar that people like the idea of an e-mail newsletter with updates, new designs and specials? So what does anyone think... Would you sign up? If so, shoot me an e-mail cakeguru@gmail.com with newsletter in the subject line and I will get you on the list, I love coming up with new designs and this could be alot of fun!

The Cake Girls...

So I have decided to let the girls do a little blogging, "the Girls" being my interns and helpers around the shop...

Don't expect much commentary from Aunt Sharon my awesome I can't live without cleaning person, (You might just find her in curlers on some days at work, but don't tell her I told you, lol). Look to hear from Brittany (Buttercup my daughter calls her but maybe we should change it to Buttercream) Alyssa the Cupcake Girl, Tina... my dear Italian friend, they will hopefully all have some stories for you about their favorite or craziest moments around the shop.

In the summer we also have Jessica, (future dentist watching all the sugar going out the door, and contemplating further visits with some of my most frequent customers,lol) and Kelsey.... My good Catholic Girl (I don't have a nickname for her yet).

Not to be forgotten is Heather who does alot of the baking in busy season. They all only work a few hours a week and some weeks not really at all, but they are a blast and the shop is always full of laughter and fun! I think they will have some great stories to share... So watch for the blog, should be worth your time!

Wisconsin Bride Magazine

Look for my new fall cake design in Wisconsin Bride Fall/winter edition, I am still hoping to post photos but so far no cooperation from the phone, frustrating!

Spring is on the Way...

As are new cake designs for Spring, Think Easter, First Communion, Confirmation, Graduation all the great occasions that come up in the spring, let's brainstorm together and come up with a perfect design for your occasion!

Life is good!

2009-03-08T20:44:00.000-07:00

So I have a super fun cake headed to a photo shoot tomorrow, the entire cake is covered in fall leaves on a chocolate ganache background!

Than I was honored today as one of 4 under 40 by the Oshkosh Northwestern: Yeah for all of us!
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090308/OSH0101/903080407&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Four under 40 honorees found opportunities for growth, prosperity in Oshkosh

There's a common, but largely invisible thread that connects this year's Four Under 40 honorees.

Yes, the Sullivan Group's Amy Bargenquast, House of Flowers owner Jim Kolb, Servant Insurance's Dan Morrill and Tamara the Cake Guru owner Tamara Mugerauer all have turned their unique abilities and special talents into bright futures.
But delve deeper into each of their personal stories and you find that all four saw an opportunity to grow, prosper and give back in Oshkosh in a unique way.
And all four seized upon it.
Mugerauer saw an opportunity to become an ace of cakes long before the Food Network and Chef Duff introduced the country to their design-defying desserts.
Morrill used the flexibility and strength of a small insurance firm to develop a new approach to consumer-driven health care plans.
Kolb innovated for more than 15 years and expanded a local floral shop into a store for home accent pieces, outdoor plants, gifts, ladies' handbags and so much more.
And Bargenquast found herself among kindred spirits that allowed her to shine at The Sullivan Group when she joined the firm in order to remain close to her family in Oshkosh.
These might not have been the biggest decisions of their lives when they made them, but they saw an opportunity and took the chance.
And with that, I salute this year's Four Under 40 and hope they can help inspire you to do great things.
—
Tamara Mugerauer
Age: 37
From: Roscommon, Mich.
Family: Husband, Larry, and daughter, Liberty, 5
Education: Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
For work: Tamara The Cake Guru owner
For fun: Boating, bicycling, jet skiing, sewing, family time
Community involvement: Oshkosh Lourdes steering committee, Miss Oshkosh, Junior Achievement, bible study and religious education at St. Raphael's, speaks about international adoption
Tamara Mugerauer's mom made her a Michael Jackson cake when she turned 13, complete with the white, speckled glove.
Her "Thriller" cake wasn't the moment when Mugerauer decided cakes would be her chosen profession, but it showed her just how much creativity and special design can go into a delicious dessert.
Somewhere between 13 and 26, she grew tired of working at other bakeries and being told there was no room for innovation in wedding and birthday cakes. Armed with her grandmother's recipes, Mugerauer established Tamara The Cake Guru and the rest is, well, icing on the cake.
"I love the excitement in brides' eyes when I drop it off, that 'aha!' moment," Mugerauer said. "I like when people see it as an art form. I'm not just a baker."
That sweet, sweet icing includes TV appearances, extreme wedding cake awards and praise throughout Northeast Wisconsin for the unique work and imagination she puts into each dessert that leaves her Oregon Street shop.
"Rarely does a sheet cake leave my store," Mugerauer said in reference to a rectangular, standard cake. "I still use my grandmother's recipes, but for me, it's a lot more about the design."
When Appleton's Performing Arts Center wanted the cake to match its five year anniversary celebration, the organization turned to Mugerauer and she didn't disappoint. The final product turned into an eight-foot tall cake with a layer to commemorate each Broadway show the PAC hosted that year.
And it's just that sort of challenge that really brings out Mugerauer's best. She said the rise of the Food Network has helped spur peoples' imaginations.
"Sometimes people stump me or challenge me to use unique colors," she said. "I love when people ask me to do what I love."

The "Magical Moment"

2009-02-17T20:08:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

I have just been giving some thought to what I do and why I do what I do. I am blessed to do what I love and will say that again and again. I take sugar, oil, water and butter and create what I consider to be art. The frosting is just a blank canvas for me, and it is so fun to see what can be done with it.

In the past few weeks I have had alot of appointments (tis the season) and I have had the pleasure of sitting down with couples and talking and "visioning"... taking their colors, their wedding details, their ideas and sketching them up to hopefully design a perfect cake for each couple.

What is super cool for me is that moment where I complete the design and it is so much cooler than the sketch because it is color and it is 3-d and it is exactly what I envisioned when I sat there sketching.

So how do we get from point A to what I think of as the kind of "Magical Moment", where sugar and flour become art?

Point A....We start with the couple looking through my work, talking with me, with me drawing and sketching and brainstorming and all that I do when we meet, than they taste test and choose the flavor combos that they (and there guests) love. Next step, we wait, over time sometimes tweak details, or at times completely redesign untill that 2 week mark where we finalize all the details.

As the wedding draws near, the cake is started, starting with the prep work that I start sometimes weeks ahead, the prep of every rose petal, every scroll, making all the colors, matching every swatch, hand painting, brushing on colors, forming calla lilies, the list goes on.... Late in the week a day or so before the wedding, there is the baking, and the icing and construction.

The cake is built, it is baked and than there is the best part for me... transforming all the elements into that vision, taking a sketch of pen and ink, that I could visualize before I even drew it, and creating it in 3-d, in full color, every detail, than stepping back and saying, yes, this is it, this is what "we" (the clients and I) imagined.

And than we deliver it, display the cake as the centerpiece of the reception, set-up the display and step back for a quick second to capture the cake as it will look to guests and to the couple it is intended for.

Than the real magic, lol, within sometimes an hour or two of people seeing it.... It is dismantled, cut into pieces and eaten, only captured in a photograph and in memories, all that work, all the brainstorming, time, etc. all the conceptual ideas come to life and it's all just eaten, lol!

The funny part it doesn't bother me, because the awesome part is as much as I do care about the taste, I mean I have worked for years to have a large variety of the best flavors of cakes and icings, I use my Grandma's recipes, and am meticulous about my cakes being moist and flavorful and fanstastic tasting, once the icing is on I am so about the design that I focus on, well, design! So it is the huge bonus when I see people enjoying the cake for the taste, and have them compliment the flavor and eat every bite.

So when it is all said and done and where is the true magic? I think in a way it is that piece of art, the as I say "fusion of art and flavor" is only here for a short time, a short time but hopefully very magical moment, where the cake is just exactly that.... "The Cake" and not a morsel or crumb is left on a plate.

It's been a while.....

2009-02-01T09:47:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it has been forever since I have updated this blog! So much has happened in the last few months. Above are photos of the wedding show at the Paper Valley, I need to upload photos from the Nutcracker at the Paine as well. Check out my website for new special occasion and wedding cakes in the gallery.

In December I put together a video for pilgrim television in regards to as possible reality TV show about cakes, kind of Ace of Cakes style, we did 6 interviews via phone, we shall see what happens. It sounds like fun, yet scarey at the same time, I have been called by the Food Network for Challenges in the past and would looove to do one of those, but the timing has not fallen into place. I think the most appealing thing to me about a cake show is so not cake related, lol! As I have said before I have such a passion for international adoption and I really was thinking that since my daughter does come to work with me and hang out, people would fall in love with her and want to go to China, or Ethiopia, or Haiti or ..... and bring home a baby to their family, odd how my mind works I suppose, but I always think of all the children without families and what I can do to help!

Last weekend I had my nephew's dedication and this was a little cake I did for him, I love the ribbon as a cross look, something fun!

Also put a new sign on the building this week, with the website, something new, hopefully will make me easier to find!

Next weekend I am trying out a New wedding show for me, at the Wave in Appleton on Feb 7th 10am-3pm, come on out and try some samples and see my new displays in person!

The prettiest Cake I EVER made! by far....

2008-11-02T13:27:00.001-08:00

Our Family halloween

centerpiece cakes

2008-08-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

Just a glimpse of a few cakes before they headed out for delivery. These were centerpiece cakes heading to Wautoma for a wedding.

They were made to compliment a napkin of Vera Bradley Fabric.

Totally fun to work on!

Finally, a breather...

2008-06-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

So I made it through June, on a personal note I stood up in a dear friends wedding, the next weekend coordinated a wedding and had my hubby take my little one to one of her "China Sisters" birthday party's in Chicago (of course fabulous cakes for both). Add to that the complete madness of June weddings and grad cakes and showers, and a dead dear cake, What? Yep, a Dead dear, dyed red with strawberry filling, with an arrow in his side, (and for those of you who don't know, I'm a vegetarian). I may or may not post photos of that one, LOL!

Here are a few fav's from the past couple weeks, and now I am heading to bed so I can hit the lake tomorrow, and relax before the craziness starts again....

Ordination Cake, and doors opening....

2008-06-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

When life turns upside down for me I have been blessed with so many people who love and support me, truly gifts from God. I recently had a pretty major change in focus as far as my volunteer commitments go, and throughout this process dealt with some not so happy things. A dear friend who at the time was a Deacon, helped me to process things, and told me that old phrase about how when one door closes..... maybe another opens, yada, yada, yada.

I was thinking whatever.... but funny how life hands you things.... the Food Network called me a couple days later and invited me to possibly be a part of a Food Network Challenge on National TV, it might not work out with timing and my workload, etc. but seriously to even be considered with the best of the best in the country, pretty much rocks. Also that week I recieved a mailing from our adoption agency, Holt intl. which is based in Eugene, OR. I have wanted so much to get more involved with the agency or with something with international adoption, and the mailing was about looking for help for their first ever event in WI. When one door closes.... God works in his own plan, we just have to trust in it.

The weekend of May 31, June 1st as i was walking 40 miles for the Avon Breast Cancer walk in Chicago, my dear friend, Deacon Dan Schuster, who has been a rockstar in my life, by the grace of God became Fr. Dan Schuster. Here is the cake I made to celebrate this joyous event!

And another cake from that weekend that I particularly loved...

GO GOD!

Leadership Oshkosh Cake

2008-06-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

Since last September once a month I had the honor of joining an amazing group of more than 30 other professionals in the Oshkosh community to learn more about this fantastic city. The class was made up of people from all aspects of life and all types of careers, all bringing something unique and interesting to share with the rest of the class. We did everything from preforming on the stage at the Grand Opera House, to having lunch at the Prison and talking with Prisoners, to having a Mock city council meeting. Truly this experience was priceless and made me proud to live, raise my child, and own a business in Oshkosh.

We had our Leadership Oshkosh Graduation at the newly renovated building "The Waters" on the lake here in Oshkosh, what an amazing job has been done on the building, WOW!

Here is the cake I created to celebrate!

Showers, Birthdays and an Eagle Scout

2008-05-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

No major weddings last weekend but tons of fun other cakes! A super incredible young man who is a dear family friend of ours, became an Eagle Scout, so I did a fun cake for him, plus some shower cakes, and fun birthday's. It was more work than some of my busy wedding weeks, but fun and lots of variety! Also a little fun bit of info, I have been being recommended by none other than Charm City Cakes of food Network's Ace of Cakes as the bakery in Wisconsin who makes unique cakes. Totally a fabulous compliment to me! Go GOD!

PAC Cake

2008-04-21T08:09:00.001-07:00

Here is this one from back in Feb.

Shannon and Eric's Cake

2008-04-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Loved this one, thought the cake top with the gems Eric made was fabulous and went with the red and black design perfectly.

Lion King, Mamma Mia, ballet, oh my!

2008-02-03T06:48:00.000-08:00

It's getting there, foot by foot the 6' tall cake is coming together a sI envisioned. Joseph's coat took me quite a few trys and a phone call to a dear friend for advice. I love my Lion King Layer and the Movin' Out Layer is also a favorite. Hopefully today goes well, (and the work goes fast). This has been a fun project thus far! Watch for photos....

PAC 5th Anniversary Cake

2008-01-20T05:32:00.001-08:00

I am super excited for my nexy upcoming "challenge". I have been asked to create a cake, 6' high to Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Appleton PAC, incorporating elements from shows and programs that they have done in the past 5 years.
It will be rolled out during Mamma Mia and than on display in the lobby. Look for it on Febraury 5th!

Decisions... Decisions

2008-01-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

This is that fun time of year where I sit down with a sketch pad and decide what cake displays I am going to create. These displays are for the Paper Valley show on Sunday but they are also going to be on display in my shop for the next year, so I had better like looking at them.
It is always a bit of a struggle for me to decide do I want to do "what sells" or create something off the wall, or a combo of both?
I have to keep in mind that the cake needs to be marketable, show what my talents are, and I have to want to do it over again, because chances are someone is going to like it enough to order it.
I know that if the design is sitting in my shop, my customers will look at elements of each cake, so it is nice if there are things that can be combined.
I also know that I need to choose colors that are hot right now, and yet not do everything in the same palette, so if you have a color you are using and want to share or post it, go for it! Yet.... certain colors fade in the shop over time, so I want to make sure they are good for display at the same time. And try to have one cake with sugar flowers, one with fresh, one in chocolate, one with fruit, some fondant, some not..... you get the idea!
Most of all, I need to have fun, and make great looking cakes! Keep checking back and feel free to give any input!

new website

2008-01-07T21:37:00.000-08:00

Same address; www.cakeguru.com
Whole new look and updated menu and flavor list, oh and finally the addition of a special occasion cake portfolio!
Hope you all take time to check it out!

Cake Tasting Party

2008-01-07T21:33:00.000-08:00

Sorry all that were interested but, because of my upcoming job for the Appleton PAC, the cake tasting party won't fall into place for this date... maybe in the future, we shall see.

So I am thinking the first Saturday in February of hosting a cake tasting party at my shop.... Just to give brides a chance to taste a few more flavors than the 4 I usually offer at my appointments! I will keep everyone posted, but It could be a super fun way for me also to celebrate my 16th year of doing wedding cakes, yep, I am that old.... LOL!

The Nutcracker

2007-12-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

I was asked to help out at the Paine Art Center for the Nutcracker in the Castle exhibit, here is one of two rooms that I did for the exhibit, and my Beautiful daughter modeling in it!

Uncle Herbie's and Aunt Penny's Cake

2007-12-28T15:30:00.001-08:00

I can't wait to get a better photo but for now here it is a gorgeous cake for fall with my favorite draping style.

Country Club

2007-09-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

I love this cake with the fun summery colors and argyle prints, this is from the spring, and I just uploaded photos. The bride and groom were super sweet, just a great couple, and I loved the results, I do wish that I would have done 2 layers on the striped layer, like green and the yellowy ivory, I think since I started doing more layered stripes, I am bored with the 2 color look!

Ahhhh... Chocolate

2007-09-06T05:18:00.000-07:00

How much do we all LOVE Chocolate? For me the trend of Chocolate brown for weddings has been awesome, I love the combo of Chocolate and pinks, aquas, mochas and this weekend i did my first Lavender/ choc combo, and loved it.
The labor day weekend meant cakes on Friday, Sat. and Sunday, but we still managed to squeak in so much needed time on the boat.

More Birthday cakes for DD

2007-08-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

Of course, any self respecting cake decorating Mom can not make only one cake for her little one, These are her other two cakes, one for a birthday party with my Mom (they have the same birthday) and one is a Birthday cake for all of her China sisters, we did a 4 x 4 because they turned 4, we always celebrate all the girls birthday at our yeraly reunion!

Birthday Cake

2007-08-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of my Dear Daughter with her 4th Birthday cake. We had a pageant theme this year and had Miss Oshkosh at the party, so much fun!
I am always so pressured for her cakes as I feel like she has to put up with being at work so much, and see so many cakes that she likes but that are not for her, that the cakes for her need to be incredible. Last year I completely stressed out, this year I vowed to be calm and prepared, so I worked ahead, draw the design up and felt comfortable with my design.
I made 5 sugar tiaras and only was able to get one to work successfully, which is about what I expected.
She woke up from her nap and saw it and broke out in a HUGE smile, saying "that's MY birthday cake...." so sweet.

browns and Mochas

2007-07-24T04:52:00.001-07:00

This cake is a favorite of mine so far this year, the bottom layer is a new pattern for me combining a few styles. Really what makes me love this cake are 2 major factors; the colors and the freedome the bride gave me to design with those colors.
I love it when a couple gives me an idea of what they like, than let me sketch and suggest elements and styles that fit their style. It always ends up with a great result.

A boost!

2007-07-22T07:14:00.001-07:00

How this will be a fun way for me to keep my cake designs updated! This one is one of my favorites new ones: The bride was exceptionally fun, and totally knew what she wanted!
Her wedding week was a challenging week for me on a personal level, and being able to make the perfect cake for her gave me a much needed boost!
After the wedding the MOB let me know they were thrilled, and well GO GOD!

2007-07-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

The Cake Guru

2007-07-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

I have been pretty pysched to set up a blog for a while now, so here we go...