“Ask The Experts” Sylvia Weinstock “The Queen of Cakes”

I’m honored to begin my “Ask The Experts” video series with one and only Sylvia Weinstock: Also, known as “The Queen of Cakes” Sylvia Weinstock: has been dubbed the Leonardo da Vinci of cakes by Bon Appétit Magazine. Press Play and enjoy Sylvia Weinstock.

THOUGHTS ON WEDDING CAKES:
I think we tend to serve much more food than people want to eat at weddings. I think the wedding cake is part of your dinner and should be served as the last course and not an afterthought. I believe it needs to be part of the whole meal and not separate. People tend to serve the cake too late in the evening when many people have already gone home. Ideally, the ceremony of the cake cutting should happen after the main course.

3 TIPS FOR A COUPLES SHOPPING FOR A WEDDING CAKE:

1. Check for ingredients that may give you or your guests an allergic reaction such as nuts and fruits.  Play it safer rather than creating a problem at the wedding.
2. What can we serve that everyone will eat and enjoy. Consider the ethnic backgrounds of your guests. If you are Italian there are certain flavors you prefer of if you come from the Caribbean there are flavors you would like. You have to be a host and hostess to with the idea of pleasing your guests and it’s not just you alone. Come in with some ideas about what you think would serve everybody at your wedding.
3. Have a realistic budget in mind. Some couples come in and want everything, but when they find out the price are astounded that this labor-intensive labor in quality is going to cost them. Come in with some idea of what a budget is about. If you think in terms of what a cocktail costs in Uptown Manhattan it’s around $25 (including tax and tip). Use that as a parameter. There is nothing artistic about pouring vodka on ice with a twist of lemon. With a wedding cake you are getting something labor intensive, something beautiful and memorable, flowers that you can save forever dry and clean and makes a much bigger statement than one drink….and personally, I need two drinks.

TRENDS I AM SEEING IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY TODAY:
I think people have become “foodies” and understand what quality food is about. They are also budget conscious and want a “bang for the buck” and I understand that and they can have it. It really comes down to priorities for each couple. Are you going to spend $15,000 on a gown you’ll wear for 5 hours and not spend $1,000 on a suit you can wear for 10 years? Are you going to buy shoes that will last for part of the evening and then slippers for the remainder of the night? Where do you want to put your priorities? In centerpieces and floral decor, food, a great band or hire a special performer for the evening? Where do you see your event going?? Sit down and figure out your financial situation. For example, I have $20,000, $30,000, $50,000 or $200,000 to spend on this wedding so, where do I put the priorities?

MY EXCITEMENT IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY:
What I am excited about regarding weddings is that it has proliferated in such a way that when I started it was a little business and now it’s a billion dollar business.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT WEDDINGS:
What I love about weddings is that two people are starting a new life and a new family and that we have bonded two individuals that are looking to make a life together as one. Still giving each other space to grow, still understanding each others needs give themselves happiness and perhaps grow a new family.

MARRIAGE ADVICE FROM SYLVIA WEINSTOCK:
Never sleep on an argument. As I have said to my husband of 67 years, “Ben just say you’re sorry and let’s go to sleep”

Sylvia Weinstock: