Behind the Scenes at SoFlo: Hyperrealism, Cake Sculpting & a Touch of Southern Charm
This spring, I had the absolute pleasure of teaching and demonstrating at the SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo, one of the most exciting events in the world of cake artistry. Held in sunny South Florida, the conference brings together artists, instructors, and vendors from around the globe—all with a shared love for pushing the boundaries of what cake can be.
I kicked off the weekend with a full-day intensive class focused on one of my favorite subjects: hyperrealism. Together with a room full of passionate and curious students, we transformed simple layers of cake into lifelike Moscow Mule mugs—complete with sculpted details, custom textures, and realistic finishes. A common cocktail you’ll find at parties all over Charleston, I was so excited to share this bit of southern creation with students. Throughout the day, we explored a variety of advanced techniques, including cake sculpting, working with modeling chocolate, shaping isomalt, and crafting delicate gumpaste leaves. The final results were equal parts elegant and uncanny—a beautiful blend of technical skill and creativity.
Later in the weekend, I had the joy of stepping onto the demo stage, where I shared how to create ultra-realistic mushrooms out of modeling chocolate. These lifelike little sculptures are one of my favorite cake toppers—perfect for woodland-themed cakes, enchanted forest wedding tiers, or as part of a larger hyperrealistic scene like a tree stump or forest floor. Watching the crowd lean in to catch every detail (and hearing the gasps as the mushrooms came to life) was such a highlight of the weekend.
Beyond the classroom and demo stage, SoFlo was bursting with inspiration at every turn. The vendor expo hall featured the latest tools, textures, molds, and mediums—everything a cake artist could dream of and more. It was a treat to discover new products and reconnect with some of the most innovative names in the sugar art world.
And to cap it all off, I had the joy of attending the American Cake Awards Gala—an unforgettable evening celebrating some of the most talented artists in our field. Even more special? I got to share the night with a few of my fellow castmates from Is It Cake?, making the whole evening feel like a sweet full-circle moment.
There’s something truly magical about being surrounded by so many people who love this art form as much as I do. Whether it was teaching, demonstrating, or simply wandering the show floor and soaking it all in, SoFlo was a whirlwind of inspiration, connection, and sweet creativity.
If you’re dreaming of learning how to bring hyperrealistic designs to life, keep an eye out for my upcoming workshops and digital tutorials—or reach out to host a custom class of your own. I’d love to help you sculpt something unforgettable.
