Carlen Gil

 

I have always loved baking and my love for it seemed to blossom, ironically, as I was going to MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design). I was studying to get my BFA in Fine Art Painting and whenever I needed to de-stress or process a concept I was working on I would bake. I was also working while I was in school at Whole Foods in the bakery, baking and decorating. At the time it just seemed like an easy way to make money while pursuing my degree. After graduation, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do so I continued to work in the bakery as a cake decorator. One day it hit me that I could make a career out of baking and decorating and I wanted to learn as much as I could so I decided to go back to school at Le Cordon Bleu in their Pastry Program. While in culinary school I fell love even more with baking and decorating and I knew this is what I was meant to do. I have been working in the industry ever since (almost ten years now). My art background paired with my knowledge and passion for baking/decorating come together to create the perfect creative storm. 

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What's your favorite flavor of cake?

My favorite flavor of cake is a toss up between tres leches and pistachio cake with vanilla bean buttercream (which is what I made for my own wedding).

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Do you have a favorite trend in cakes and desserts?

I really like the bright and colorful trend happening in desserts right now along with the trend of making cakes taller then usual. Kathrine Sabbath (a Pastry Chef out of Sydney) is a huge inspiration to me, she challenges traditional tropes in decorating and is not afraid of color. 

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What's your creation you have made?

I can't think of one particular creation that has been my favorite. I most enjoy creating cakes and desserts that allow me freedom to flex my creative muscles. I get most excited about half way through the process when I start to see things coming together and what I envisioned in my mind begins to manifest in front of me. 

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Dream celebrity cake client:

I don't get into celebrities much and I probably wouldn't recognize most if I saw them walking down the street. However, I love classic rock and roll and would love to make a cake for any rock star legend like Ozzy, Stevie Nicks or Mick Jagger.