FAREWELL TO 2009!

A Wilmington Christmas is like none other,...

...only here on the coast can you wear your Christmas Flip-Flops!

And instead of "Snowmen" we have "Sandmen!"

And, as in every home where there are little ones, we experienced the delightful giggles as Stephen and Eve first saw their wrapped gifts, and then the happiness as they unwrapped each one.

By the end of the evening, we had a living room with a work bench and tools on one end,
and dolls and a kitchen on the other!

 

Here are some of our favorite Fall Cakes!

 

We love being the "Cake Ladies" for families, beginning with  

Shower Cakes, the very special Toddler Birthday cakes, to cakes that celebrate College Graduation!

The Turtle Cake for a Baby Shower was designed after the Nursery Quilt.

For this two year old's birthday, the theme was "Strawberry Shortcake!"
The little cake was for the birthday girl to get her little fingers into!

A Happy Graduation for a North Carolina State Student!

A Cake Fit For A Princess...

It is always special to be able to create a cake for the Princess in our own family!

 

Happy Birthday to our 4 1/2 year old Eve!

(Our summer birthday girl wanted to celebrate her birthday during the school year with her friends!)

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Cakes!

Wedding Cake for Olivia & Drew

Raleigh, NC

Because of this couple's interest in film, their Old Hollywood Film themed reception was held at the Venture IMAX Theatre in downtown Raleigh, NC.

Their wedding cake, chocolate and vanilla cake

with Italian buttercream frosting,

was designed after the MGM logo and

decorated with sugarpaste appliques and "film strips."

"Goin down the highway---lookin for adventure!"...

With life as it is in our wonderful laid back beach town of Wilmington, we haven't gone over 55mph for any stretch in months!  You can imagine our thrill---Road Trip!!!--and we hit 80mph for miles! Also, we were so thrilled to see fall trees (which we don't see in Wilmington), that we documented the experience!  The wedding cake traveled in style, each part in its own special box, surrounded by dry ice!

Hours before the reception, the cake was assembled and decorated on site.  After getting to know a couple, Deborah envisions the design for their cake, sketches it on architectural paper, and then sends it to the Bride for her approval.  Olivia & Drew's sketch was passed on to friends and family, so by the time we arrived in Raleigh, there was great anticipation to see the sketch come into reality!  

Ready for the Party to Begin!

 

Another highlight of our trip was being able to stay with our friends and favorite photography team,

Isabelle, Laura & Lisa of Bella Rose Photography!

Our next wedding cakes traveled to  

Bald Head Island, NC

Bald Head Island is one of our favorite wedding destination locations.

A one hour road trip from Wilmington and then a 20 minute ferry ride, this beautiful and romantic area has a "Martha's Vineyard" feel, a perfect location for a wedding!

VIEW FROM THE FERRY

(which we refer to as our "yacht trip!")

 Wedding Cake for Kelli & Nik

of Chicago, IL

Reception at Bald Head Island Club

 After meeting with Kelli & Nik and seeing the wedding invitations they designed and made,

Deborah created the design for their wedding cake from their invitations!

 

 

 Our favorite Event Coordinator, Lindsey Cheek of Bald Head Island Club!

Ready for the Reception to begin!...

 

The Sisterhood Team for the weekend,

The Dessert Divas with 

Anne, of Anne McGowan Photography

and Lindsey Cheek of BHI Club

 

 

Wedding Cake for Sarah Anne and Justin

 

Fall, A Beautiful Time for Celebrating Any Occasion!

CELEBRATING BABIES!

Happy Birthday One-Year-Old...

with a little cake all your own!

 

A beautiful cake for
a family celebration
of their baby boy's baptism.

Celebrating Princesses of all ages!

...and then there is the cake for the ultimate bridal shower...

The Lingerie Shower!

...And a Bon Voyage Cake from The Dessert Divas to our Tango Instructor headed to Argentina!

2009 Cape Fear Wedding & Fashion Show

Because of our background in design, we, as "The Dessert Divas,"

have now expanded to include

 Event & Floral Design by "The Three Divas"

We were asked by John & Kate Meyer of Cape Fear Wedding, to design and coordinate the

2009 Cape Fear Wedding Fashion Show  at the Schwartz Center, Wilmington NC   

The night before the Show, we were on location preparing until late,

so Jennifer made a tent for Eve under the Fountaine Bridal Booth table!

It seemed appropriate as the owner, Lindsay,  had asked Eve

to be a flower girl model!

The Theme of the Fashion Show was "Brides of Every Season,"

and the color scheme was all shades of purple.

The Stage is set...

The models are ready and the Fashion Show begins...

Our little divette, Eve, was asked to model for Fountaine Bridal.

The Bouquets are by The Three Divas 

 

At our Wedding Show Booth, we were able to advertise as both

"The Dessert Divas" &

Event & Floral Design by "The Three Divas."

 Jennifer, in her dress by Camille La Vie, reminded us of one of our sugar paste flowers!

"After-Show Photo Shoot!"

After the Fashion Show, Rebekah wanted to

brush up on her photography skills

(hearkening back to her college newspaper days!),

so she took Jennifer, in the dress provided by Camille La Vie,

and Eve, in the dress provided by Fountaine Bridal,

to the park near our house.

Jennifer & Eve were fabulous models

and here is a sample of the results of our "Photo Shoot!"

(If you click on any of the photos they will enlarge.)

Wedding & Special Event Cakes

Angela's Wedding Cake
with Sugarpaste English Roses and Fondant Ribbon

Delivered to The Balconies
Downtown Wilmington, NC








Landfall Garden Wedding
Wilmington, NC

Andrea's Wedding Cake Decorated with Live Flowers

Congratulations Jessica & Joel!

Sugarpaste Tulips & Fondant Ribbon










THE GUCCI

Royal Icing Gucci Symbols
with Sugarpaste
"Knock Off" Handbag & Heels!

Created for
Focus on the Coast
"Girls' Nite Out" at Mayfaire!
Wilmington, NC

The Dessert Divas Crew
Deborah Place, Rebekah Hinkle, Jennifer Mattis
and our divette, Elizabeth Eve Mattis,
and our divo, Stephen Michael Mattis
Wilmington, NC

FLORAL & EVENT DESIGN by THE THREE DIVAS

While living in Atlanta, it was always one of our greatest joys to be a part of event and floral design for parties...whether it was for an event as grand as a wedding or as simple as a dinner party!

Since beginning our business as The Dessert Divas, designing special event cakes, it was a natural evolution to begin doing floral and event design for our clients who were planning special events.

So now we are officially "Open for Business" here in Wilmington, NC as THE THREE DIVAS in FLORAL & EVENT DESIGN.

In the last few months we have had some wonderful experiences with brides and their families for both local and destination weddings.



Floral design for Rebecca's beautiful traditional wedding in a historic downtown Wilmington church...



Incorporated into Rebecca's Bouquet was a Mother of Pearl Jerusalem Bible







Floral & Event Design, Wedding Cake, & Hostess Assisting For Olivia's Destination Wedding on Wrightsville Beach...





Decorated Shepard's hooks mark the ceremony site on the lush green lawn of a Wrightsville Beach home.




A transformed beach home was the reception site, decorated in Olivia's favorite colors of tangerine & pink.







To bring the feel of the beach inside, sea oats & beach flora were incorporated into large arrangements throughout the room...



The cake is cut, the first dance has begun...


...let the party begin!...






For Sutton's Landfall Garden Wedding...








Even Sutton's niece Eliza had a little bouquet!



A Southern Garden Themed Wedding Cake
with Royal Icing Lattice & Sugarpaste Magnolias







Event Design for Bellamy Mansion's Art of the Table,
Decorating the historic kitchen,

BEFORE...



AFTER...




Bellamy Cake design inspired by event decor and wrought iron fencing surrounding the mansion.




It is amazing how one floral arrangement can transform a room into an environment for a celebration of any kind!...

"SUMMER DAYS DRIFTED AWAY....."

"...OH WELLA, WELLA, WELLA--UH!
...TELL ME MORE, TELL ME MORE..."


It's Labor Day--you know what that means--summer is over! (And I know we are all packing away our white shoes--or not!)

So today it's been fun reviewing summer memories that happened both in and out of The Dessert Divas' kitchen here in Wilmington, NC!


In Wilmington, it all begins at THE BEACH!!!....


...with our "Crabby Princess!"

It's all about finding The Pearl!



CAKES THAT CELEBRATE SUMMER!!!

From Bikinis to Mermaids to Flamingos...























































...to Surfing and Shark Sighting!....

















































Fourth of July is all about downtown Wilmington!!!











The Three Bella Roses and The Three Divas
(of Bella Rose Photography)







From Rodeo Drive...





























...to the Yellow Brick Road!




From Sailing Yachts to Classic Cars---Here's to the Men of Summer!!













Birthday Cakes for a photographer...


and a UNC Fan!!!




Summer at Sweet & Sassy!


















FROM HYDRANGEAS TO ROSEBUDS TO ORCHIDS...










Carnival Fundraiser at Mayfaire for the family of a Fallen Patriot






STEPHEN AND EVE "CATCHING AIR!"








CELEBRATING ON THE RIVERWALK AFTER A WEEKEND OF SUCCESSFUL DELIVERIES!!!








The end of summer means the start up of "new product for the fall line!"
--and with expansion always comes the need for new employees...




Meet our new assistant manager, Stephen Michael Mattis, and our new assistant designer, Elizabeth Eve Mattis!

The Dessert Divas in Wilma Magazine

Let Them Make Cake

by Julie Flynt for Wilma Magazine

What started out as a joke for three local women quickly became the perfect name for their dessert business. The Dessert Divas' creations are one of a kind, each uniquely designed for a specific person or event. The talent required for these elaborate cakes is evident in the detailed, hand-made elements.

Just six months ago, Wilmington resident Deborah Place and her two daughters, Rebekah Hinkle and Jennifer Mattis, launched a business creating designer desserts. They focus on taste as well as presentation. "When we started this business, we decided we didn't want to do fondant," Place says, referring to a rolled icing used in decorative cakes. "Its is a beautiful way to do cakes and is an art form in and of itself, but...most people don't like the taste of it."

Instead, Italian buttercream icing has become The Dessert Divas' signature. Their icing is not made with the standard powdered sugar. Instead, the ladies opt for cooked sugar, which is then whipped, creating a light and silky texture. The women pride themselves on their ability to match this taste with the elaborate presentation required in many special event cakes.

Starting at the bottom
But life has not always been sweet for this close-knit family. "Having come out of a time of great relational and financial loss, we chose to stand together and do something as a family that used all of our skills and talents," Place says.

At rock bottom, the women were in need of a fresh start. "We didn't want to spend the rest of our lives, all three of us going to three different jobs and working odd hours where we couldn't see each other," Hinkle says. Mattis adds, "Because my daughter has diabetes, we were also committed to creating a business that allowed me to stay home with my children."

All three live together with Mattis's two children, and create most of their desserts in their own state-certified kitchen. They have access to a commercial kitchen for larger jobs.

Baking from scratch.
Although the women work as a team, each woman has her own distinct role in the business. "Jennifer is our baker, I am the "froster" and the manager, and Mother is the designer," Hinkle says. They bake everything from scratch with no mixes or hydrogenated oils. Their edible creations include tiaras for little princess cakes and more formal designs for wedding cakes.

These new entrepreneurs have already created desserts for several high-profile events. The Dessert Divas made the featured dessert for the Bellamy Mansion's "Art of the Table" opening gala. Beverly Ayscue, executive director of the Bellamy Mansion, says that she has never seen anyone take an architectural element of the mansion and incorporate it into a cake. "It was just elegant," Ayscue says.

Their most popular cake flavor is the traditional chocolate with vanilla frosting. Other favorites include praline and chocolate ganache and a margarita cake with just the right amount of lime juice and liqueur to give it a kick.

In a business less than a year old, The Dessert Divas are already enjoying sweet success. "Every week we get more orders," Hinkle says.






CAKE DESIGNED...











CAKE PHOTO SHOOT...










CAKE DELIVERED...and ENJOYED!





















Photo Shoot for The Dessert Divas
by LISA BROWN of BELLA ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY






THAT'S A WRAP!!!

Sisters Laura and Lisa of Bella Rose Photography
(and Rebekah Hinkle as assistant--or better known as a Bella Rose "Groupie!")

For more information on this fabulous photographer visit www.bellarosephoto.com

Some of Our Favorite Weddings Cakes!

For Sutton & Kyle's Garden Wedding






























Another Beautiful Wilmington Wedding




For Ashley & Ryan's Landfall Country Club Reception





For making our sugarpaste flowers we copy the real thing!

Ashley's real and The Dessert Divas' sugarpaste orchids!














Sugarpaste Cabbage Roses & Royal Icing Filigree Design


Photos by Lisa Brown Bella Rose Photography






Jessica and Joel's Cherry Blossom Cake



Deborah's Handiwork and Finishing Touches












Bridal Expo & Fashion Show


Even the Runway Brides loved our cake!!!

Mother's Day

May is a month that is associated with Mothers. So you can imagine how thrilled we were when "Focus On The Coast," one of our favorite Wilmington magazines, asked us to be a part of a feature article about mothers in business with their children!



The Dessert Divas
by Jennifer-Jon Choate

Divas. Webster's defines the word as a successful woman performer or a singer. But, the dynamic trio of "baking divas," including mother, Deborah Place, and her two daughters, Rebekah Hinkle and Jennifer Mattis, better known as, The Dessert Divas, are anything but prima donnas or divas. With desserts ranging from a Margarita Cake, created with tequila and lime, to a Praline and Chocolate Ganache Cake, The Dessert Divas create designer confections that are crowd-pleasing and help make any event special.
"We work best together as a unit and we are a fabulous team, but we each have our own specialty," Hinkle explains. Though some people find it hard to believe that a mother and two daughters could actually like working together, these women believe their business has allowed them the opportunity to become closer and tighter knit while baking, designing and planning in their kitchen.
Training her girls to bake and be entrepreneurs, Place instilled in both her daughters a strong work ethic that occasionally includes working until the wee hours of the morning or throwing out a completed cake and starting again from scratch. This amazing trio of mother and daughters have banded together with a deep loyalty to each other that is as distinctive and special as their cakes. This unity of mind and heart has created a business that delivers quality and originality. In fact, no two cakes are ever the same. With a commitment to each other and to their growing dessert business, these "divas" are sure to shine.

photo by Brownie Harris





Cakes to celebrate Mothers...



at every stage and at every age!

photo by Lisa Brown of Bella Rose Photography

SPRING IN WILMINGTON!

Our BUTTERFLY CAKE heralds the arrival of SPRING! Made of foodgrade material, our butterflies, though looking real, are edible!












Eve discovering the butterfly in its humble beginning--the caterpillar!




























Gerber daisies are a springtime delight both in the garden and on a cake!




















AZALEA FESTIVAL

Wilmington is known for its annual Azalea Festival which we commemorated with an "AZALEA HATBOX CAKE!"









As a family, we took time, not to "smell the roses," but to enjoy the azaleas!

















Azaleas & a Shark Tattoo!!!


















Jennifer and her little "brood!"
















Spring flowers & Ladybugs for a Little Lady!

What Do The Dessert Divas and Tyler Hansbrough Have In Common?

Love for that chocolate cake frosted in Carolina Blue!


Melissa called The Dessert Divas with a unique request! Could we assist her as she and her husband Jay hosted a "clandestine" poolside barbecue at their home for the Senior members of the
UNC Basketball National Championship Team!




When Melissa asked us for the dessert for this pre-game party, we knew we had to come up with something great to celebrate this championship team! We did our chocolate cake covered with our signature Italian buttercream frosting--but this time the frosting was colored Carolina Blue. Deborah used royal icing to make the UNC logo appliques and the cake design was a crowd pleaser!












According to the guys, the cake was a hit!
















Jack took a second piece for the van ride to the game and...















... he gave us a thumbs up during the game!

The Journey of a Wedding Cake!

It all begins in the mind of a bride and it is our joy to bring her dream into reality. Here is this journey in pictures!












We begin with our delicious cake, rich in flavor and light in taste, baked from "scratch" with only the finest ingredients. Then it is frosted with our signature Italian Buttercream Frosting, silky perfection that is not too sweet.







Having chosen not to cover our cakes in fondant, we have had the challenge of achieving the polished finish we want when using this type of light, whipped frosting. Rebekah has mastered a finishing technique that has achieved what we hoped!









In this stage, the first of the decor is applied. For this bride, it begins with a mango colored fondant ribbon and pastry bag applied dots. The finishing touch is to arrange and place the gerber daisies.
















The end of the journey for the cake and the beginning of the CELEBRATION for the Bride and Groom!













And The Dessert Divas Delivery Crew celebrate a successful set up!

"Art of the Table" at The Bellamy Mansion

The Bellamy Mansion, built in 1859, is one of North Carolina’s most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture. It is now a museum of History and Design Arts. In March, the curators of this mansion held the second annual event called “The Art of the Table.” It was a collection of creatively themed "table tops" designed by more than 45 representatives of various design businesses, and exhibited throughout the mansion's twenty-two rooms.








We, The Dessert Divas, were asked to do the featured dessert for the Opening Black Tie Gala.














We created this three tier square cake of chocolate and vanilla layers frosted with our Italian vanilla buttercream. It was decorated with royal icing appliqués designed to reflect the damask fabric used to decorate the event, and topped with a royal icing “garden fence” designed after the wrought iron fence that is around the Mansion. Within the “fence” and down the side we placed handmade sugar paste magnolias.



Because our goal is for our cakes to taste as good as they look, we were very pleased at the response of the 200 guests. Cake lovers raved, but the greatest compliment was when several people commented to us that though they usually do not like cake, they loved ours!





The Dessert Divas in the Bellamy Kitchen!

We were pleased to be asked to decorate the Bellamy's kitchen.
When we first toured the kitchen, we were amazed to consider how their "dessert divas" might have cooked any cakes in this oven! It is challenging enough with a 20th century convection oven!


This is a "before" picture.















This is our design "after!"


























And we had the opportunity to serve samples of our Praline & Chocolate Ganache Cake to the more than 800 people who toured the exhibit.

"Designer Desserts"

We love designing cakes for Special Events! It makes us so happy to see the expression on the face of the person who receives one of these cakes designed especially for them!



"Heaven Sent"

This vanilla "baby carriage" cake was embellished with a royal icing tiara design and was set on a coconut cake covered with a fluffy "cloud like" frosting.








"OTH--That's A Wrap!"

One morning there was a knock on our door--"One Tree Hill" had come knocking! They were filming across the street and that night we were able to take this chocolate cake with Italian mint buttercream frosting for the cast & crew after the daily wrap. (For you "OTH" fans, our home is two blocks from "Karen's house," and a couple of minutes from "Karen's Cafe" which is now Brooke's "Clothes over Bros!")




"High Stepper"

This "Arabian horse" cake was designed for a young equestrian. Brittany couldn't stop giving us hugs when we delivered it to her birthday party! Oh how we love the rewards of this job!









"Have A Wonderful Weekend!"

Our special event cakes can be designed for parties of two as well as 200! This 6" round made some one's weekend a little more special!












"Ali's Princess"

Each of our tiaras are a "one of a kind," designed and created just for each special princess!







"Couture Cakes"-- High Fashion in Sugar

Have a desire for some new "bling," a Harry Winston "knock off," perhaps a new handbag inspired by Kate Spade, heels to match--Look no further, our couture designs are definitely within your reach!


















































































For our friend Claire, the owner of "Encore," we designed a cake that replicated the logo of her boutique.












EVERYONE LOVES A "MINI CAKE"--better known as
THE CUPCAKE!











































These cupcakes were ordered as gifts to be delivered to special clients. Our "Cupcake Bouquets" were received with "oohs & aahs!"
























Our Favorite Flavors

We only sell desserts that we Divas can't do without ourselves! And here are some of our favorite flavors...




We once had a fine dining restaurant and were known for our "Praline & Chocolate Ganache Cake." We are pleased to be able to make this delicious dessert available once again!







Our Coconut Cake is a favorite because it is made with a coconut milk infusion.











"The Margarita"
This cake, made with lime juice and liqueur, has just enough "kick" to be a real hit at any party!













OUR CAKE FLAVORS

Praline & Chocolate Ganache
Vanilla Buttercake
Chocolate Buttercake
Margarita
Coconut
Carrot
Hawaiian--with coconut & pineapple
Zesty Lemon
Coffee Chocolate
Chocolate Mint
Spice


After writing about all of this we Divas are going to eat some cake!

If you want to join us, call (910) 399-6276 or (910) 599-1290 or Email us at www.thedessertdivas@aol.com and we will deliver a cake to you ASAP!!!!