Sylvia Weinstock is known as the “Queen of Cakes” and rightly so – her intricate and luxurious designs have graced the events of Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, and a long list of other A-list celebs. The Saudi royal family even hired Sylvia to design a cake to serve 3,000 people for a wedding celebration and then had it flown non-stop from New York to Saudi Arabia. Talk about detailed service! In addition to baking cakes, Sylvia is also the author of Sweet Celebrations: The Art of Decorating Beautiful Cakes - a great resource for all of you who like to play domestic diva in the kitchen.

I had the opportunity to chat with Sylvia over the phone recently and am excited to feature her today in our Over a Cup of Coffee series. So grab that cappuccino and let’s get started!

Name: Sylvia Weinstock
Location: Manhattan, New York

How did you get started in cake design?
There was no one really doing it. Cakes had a bad reputation and were considered dry and beautiful, and I was a baker – I wanted to make a delicious cake that was beautiful. If you make the ornaments in advance then it takes very little time to make a beautiful cake.

What was the inspiration behind your company?
It started when I was baking cakes and people loved them. It was the beginning of a business.

What do you feel was your tipping point, or when you really started to take off?
1980 in Manhattan.

Was there anything particular that happened in 1980?
No, I was just the new kid on the block doing something beautiful and delicious and unusual and spectacular.

When you have celebrity clients, do you find that they are willing to give you more creative control or do they still want to be involved in the design process?
I think both. I think all brides are very similar in that they have thought about their wedding since they were a little girl, dreamt about it, had a vision about it, and are happy about it. We take directions from our brides.

What aspects of your job are your favorite?
I suppose meeting the client and designing a special cake for them is my favorite part.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about your field?
I wish they appreciated the labor intensive work that makes it so beautiful and appreciated the delicious wonderful cake that was created for them.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?
I suppose walking down the street when someone says, “you did our wedding cake”, and then we remember doing it and are thrilled we had your cake.

When you travel, what is one thing you can’t live without?
I think you need your ticket for the flight! No, I travel very light.

What is one of your favorite shops to indulge?
Bergdorf Goodman. I’ve also done cakes for three of the president’s daughters’ weddings and also the president of Bergdorf Goodman, so I have a loyalty to them. I also like the store.

Tell us one off-the-beaten-path place we must visit while in New York:
My shop! New York is wonderful.


Joe Photo was gracious enough to provide this photo of a cake Sylvia did for a wedding he shot last September. (see right) Thanks Joe!

Get your style fix! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on our future Over a Cup of Coffee interviews!