Cakes and their messages

Tafadwza Zimoyo Lifestyle Writer
There is a strong message that is normally put across through the art of visuals, something which was condensed into the adage, “a picture tells a thousand words”.

Cakes, being one of the visual arts modes, have over the years become one of the ways through which stories about certain personalities, individuals, families and even organisations can be relayed to the public.

While in the past the norm was that wedding couples would task the cake-maker to mould their wedding cake and then have it topped with images in their likeness, this time around the trend is becoming more novel, creative, eye-catching and mind-blowing to the extent that they make the cake the real centrepiece of any function.

While the main event will be taking place, a well-decorated and designed cake helps in enhancing the profile of the occasion as all eyes will be on the cake that also provides some memorable images for the photograph lovers including the guests who will be out for some shots with the hosts before the edible piece of art.

The unique cake designs have spilled over to other functions like birthday parties and other social and business functions.

Below are some of the cakes that have caused a stir in the cake-world:

In 2012, Tuku, the iconic Katekwe music exponent celebrated his 60th birthday in style with close to 10 000 fans who had a chance to savour his massive chocolate birthday cake that was designed in the form of an elephant, his totem. Emblazoned with the words, “Bvuma, Samanyanga at 60”, the cake was shared among fans as well as fellow artistes like the Charambas, Bob Nyabinde, while the First Family also had a chance to know about the cake after having been the official guests in absentia.

In 2011, Suluman Chimbetu also went into the news with his unique birthday cake that was designed in various shapes. One of the pieces was crafted in the form of a cellphone. The other part of the cake was in the form of a rectangular shape with his image superimposed on top. Other artistes like Tuku, Alick Macheso and Dino Mudondo were also in attendance.

When the former Metro Records artistes and repertoire manager Avoid Chibanda walked down the aisle with his wife several years ago, he made sure that the cake would be designed showing the tools of his trade, which are musical instruments. And as if to complement the design of the cake, Chibanda and some of the country’s prominent gospel musicians whom he had invited to entertain guests at the wedding, took the theme of the cake into reality by staging a live show for the guests.

The list, of course, is endless, with the likes of His Excellency President Mugabe, Alick Macheso, Phillip Chiyangwa and other socialites and personalities, having had their cakes designed in eye-catching designs.

Cake boss and designer Tsungi Mandiyanike said the trend of designs was indeed changing, with Zimbabweans requesting for new and novel designs in order to impress.

“Although in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom such unique designs are not new, it is encouraging to note that Zimbabweans are appreciating the importance of the art and importance of images that go into a cake when they hold certain events.

“These creations are not just simple designs but serve the purpose of help in telling a story about the hosts.

“For instance, one might be celebrating his or her acquisition of a new property and the cake obviously can be in the form of that new acquisition.

“Then there are others who will be holding a religious occasion and the cake can be in the form of the Bible, just to send the right signal to those who will attend the event.

“As for artists, the cake can assume the design of what best defines the artist, and this can be in the form of the tools of their trade,” she said.

Leading retail shops and supermarkets have also taken the cue and now make it a must to employ some of the best bakers in the cake-making field so that they are able to fulfil the demands of their customers.

Elizabeth Maposa of Domboshava has been in the cake-making business for years and says although she has received a number of employment offers from some of the leading supermarket retail outlets in Harare, she prefers to remain independent.

“Most supermarkets these days employ professional cake-makers and they are doing brisk business out of this trade.

“I however, do it on my own and I am happy with it, with some people coming to me for training in cake-making. I am always looking for new designs which can make the cakes more appealing and unforgettable,” she said.