Dessert Tables
365: DAY015
The Fest of Ale in Janesville, WI celebrated it 10th year with a sold out crowd and over 100 beers available for tasting. A lively crowd and great bands set the tone for a wonderful event with proceeds going back to the local Kiwanis group donating the funds to various community endeavors. Our custom beer themed dessert bar included cakebites (Red Velvet, Chocolate Guinness, Triple Chocolate plain as well as some topped caramelized bacon) and super yummy treats (mini pumpkin cupcakes w/ creamcheese frosting, sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies + homestyle fudge brownies) from our friends at The Afton Market. As always, not only were the sweets a hit but our display was unexpected and wowed the audience.
365: DAY013
My little cousin (who isn’t so little anymore!) has grown into such a vibrant and beautiful young woman. She’s gone off to college, met the Russian man of her dreams and likeall fairy tales, tied the knot so they can live their happily ever after. The Allen’s asked me to help with their big day in a few ways, one of which was to build a custom dessert bar for a wedding chock full of sugar lovers. I seriously couldn’t believe how long that dessert line was…it went pretty much the entire length of the ballroom! We filled it with an assortment of cakebites, cupcakes, cookies and bars with plenty of Forde family favorites and Afton Market staples mixed in. I drew inspiration for the table design from the happy bride and grooms favorites starting with COLOR! I like to think of this design as classy and colorful. I also commissioned my cupcake maven’s skills and had her create cupcake toppers to reflect other favorites such as mountain biking, nature, reading, skiing, ice cream, running, etc… I thought the table turned out beautiful and very, very personal.
365: DAY009
Part II of the “Sweet Love” dessert collection from The Tallon Wedding in Delavan, WI. The kitschy and nature inspired dessert table drew inspiration from their
birch candles and granny smith apple centerpieces. Sticking with in-season local summery flora to tie in the brides bouquet gave this display a cozier and naturally whimsy feel.
I have to say though, it was the savory caramalized bacon topped chocolate cutting cake with cake bites to match, that gave the table its unique flair. YUMMM!
365: DAY007
Topping this week off to switch the focus to something a little sweeter….CAKEBITES! Here’s the table inspired for the Mironchenko Wedding inspired by their rustic and vintage theme. My flair for this table are actually the 2 little birdies. I didn’t realize how expensive love birds are so I went with finches that are mated for life instead. Those two little cuties now keep us nice and cozy at home.
My flair for this table are actually the 2 little birdies. I didn’t realize how expensive love birds are so I went with finches that are mated for life instead. Those two little cuties now keep us nice and cozy at home.
Cute saying, right? I won’t take credit for this one, I stole it off Pinterest. 
YES!!!! Our award winning Luxe Triple Chocolate with Caramalized Bacon has become one of our top rated flavors. Sweet & savory goodness!
I loved the use of logs for this table. I got a lot of mileage out of these bad boys through the end of the summer. You’ll see them featured a few more times.
365: DAY004
One of the most beautiful weddings I’ve had the pleasure of being a part was the union of our friends Peter & Amber. It was so much fun working alongside my brothers as a team to capture their big day and so refreshing coming up with inspiration to style their custom cakebite display.
Fired Up at Circus World’s Circus of Chefs Gala
All I can say is WOW!
I remember sitting on Eno Vino’s patio at a meeting about Concert on the Green with my friend Gina. It was one of those randomly warm, summery days in early spring. Before we parted, she hesitated to tell me about this wonderful event called Circus of Chefs in Baraboo. I clearly remember her saying that we could easily take the dessert category, but I didnt believe her.
The day of the event was a very, very (VERY!) hot humid day. It started off smooth until we arrived, unpacked and realized we had about 15mins to build our display before judging commenced. WTF! How did we possibly overlook the whole “timing” issue. Anne and I kicked it up into high gear and got the majority of our table up with the exception of a few small touches. Phew!
Once everything started full force, Annie, Drew and I settled into our groove. When it comes to a full-on sensory experience, thats where we shine. We must have done something right because we left Circus World with 2 awards that night, Best Display and Best Desserts!
You can see a full listing of our amazing competitors as well as the other winners here:
http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/Gala/AwardWinners.aspx
In regards to our table design, this was by far the most detailed one Ive designed to date. The circus theme gave me so much to work with. Some of the flair for this display included…
- Centerpiece with a ring of elephants carrying fire
- Bulb string lights snaking the table
- Our pinstripe tablecloth made with ribbon
- Popcorn filled vessels
- Gypsy details like a fringy scarf and a chest of crystal balls
- Gigantic Gerber Daisies with the illusion its being watered by a bottle of Jack
…just to name a few.
We sampled our signature dessert (Cakebites!) in a variety of chocolate (Triple Choc, Triple Choc with caramalized bacon, Triple Choc with Cayenne) and of course our customer favorite, Red Velvet. We also sampled some of The Afton Family Market marbled mini cupcakes frosted with their homestyle fudge frosting. The cakebites and cupcakes were given a bit of flair of their own when we added in Cass’ amazing little circus themed toppers. Crafted out of modeling chocolate, her collection included Admit One tickets, top hats, mustaches and feathers. What can I say? Shes a genius!
I promised our team would be back next year….although Im not sure how to top ourselves for that one?
Celebrating 50 years young at the Watering Hole
Last year I had the pleasure of sampling our cakebites with some of Rock County’s finest chefs at Chef’s Cooking for a Cause; a charity event organized by the YWCA and The Janesville Country Club. As a participating Chef, we are asked to donate an auction item and I gladly handed over a certificate for a custom dessert spread for up to 100 people. Here is a fun display for a 50th birthday bash that came out of it.
I was given a decorative napkin to pull my inspiration from. Black and white with lots and lots of bright color inspired me to create a fun loving, rainbow color-filled diplay. We added assorted candy filled containers and even some gold dusted chocolate lollipops for extra flair.
I really appreciated the non-typical approach for the event!
Zombie Prom Delectable Desserts
Call me a nerd, but anything to do with zombies is right up my alley. So when Hedberg Library in Janesville contacted me about doing desserts for their Friday the 13th Zombie Prom I was beyond ecstatic. I had expressed interest in being a part of the event so I’m very thankful the staff took me up on my offer.
Zombie head cakebites aren’t the easiest creations to whip up so I changed my initial design plans and went with more of a creepy direction. Forked eyeball cakebites and others that warn of danger all clad in the prom’s colors were a hit! Added industrial decor touches, and my fave sign where I channeled my inner Shining added to the creepy factor. I also made sure to add some prom flair by incorporating dried red roses and a mirrored platter.
Local Elementary School and Mini Bridal Shower Cakebite Displays
It means a lot to my boys for me to be so involved at their school. I’m a busy lady but I always find time to help out however I can with PTA. In turn, I’m very thankful that the staff at Monroe Elementary have been so supportive of my business.
The two featured mini displays in this post were part of the kindergarten team’s latest celebrations. Two differing themes of Classic Romantic and Modern Chic were my inspirations…check it out!
Ostera Design for Couture Celebrations at the 2011 Janesville Bridal fair
Our team had the pleasure of adding our flair to the local Bridal Fair alongside Couture Celebrations. It’s always wonderful to meet other wedding vendors and ALWAYS a pleasure to meet the “couples to be”.
This mini dessert spread was inspired by the Couture Celebrations logo.
Introducing…Couture Celebrations
It was a fantastic day debuting with Couture Celebrations (Janesvilles Premiere Party Planners) at the Rock County Bridal Fair. I have the pleasure of sitting alongside Scott and Cheryl Cramer as a design consultant as well as providing services as one of their quality vendors. Here’s a sneak peek of the mini dessert spread compliments of yours truly.
Japan BabyLove Shower
I’ve never been afraid of being different. So if you ask me for ideas or themes for a party, you can fully expect to hear some offbeat suggestions. Last weekend’s celebration was no exception! My sisters and I sat down and came up with a Japanese Pop theme. We wanted something that would reflect Penney (Momma to Be!) who is stylish + edgy with a subtle cutesy flair. We chose BRIGHT YELLOW+ HOT PINK using BLACK as our accent color.
For the dessert spread, we stylized it on a low coffee table to reflect dining habits in the far east. We stocked it with an array of asian treats like, strawberry Pocky Sticks, strawberry cream filled Koalas, lychee Jelly Cups, chocolate Meiji Mushroms, strawberry cream filled Cookie Wafers, Fortune Cookies and Japanes Sodas. But we also added in sweets like Rock Candy, pink glittered Popcorn, Mini Fruit Pizzas, simple cakebites, Junk Food Sushi, Delaluna Creations’ super cute HelloKitty Marshmallow Pops and of course Cass’ adorable and tall Baby Sanrio Cupcakes. Rice paper umbrellas, lanterns, a few cherry blossoms here and there with our flags imported straight from Nagoya, Japan finished this display nicely. The bonus giant pinata handcrafted by Delaluna Creations was the perfect final touch!
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- Junk Food Sushi Fun!
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- Baby Sanrio Cupcakes
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- Rock Candy topper
Love Day at the Lodge
I don’t always gush about venues I’ve worked at, but The Elk Lodge in Janesville WI in my book, is by far the best. It isn’t the fanciest, or most beautiful place but the appeal lies in their delicious food and their staff that always goes above and beyond. I was fortunate to cater the Storms’ wedding dessert table here last December and the appreciation must be reciprocal because I was invited back for their Valentines Day dinner. I didn’t really know what to expect with an older crowd, but I was pleasantly surprised at what a fantastic time I had. Good people, good food, drinks and Elvis made for a memorable night.
I started building this display by imagining a romantic picnic for two. I laid sparkly silver fabric, my rice paper umbrella and two of my favorite crackled angled rim glasses down. I added and took away pieces until eventually the display emitted a romantic feel. This specific table was dressed only with my cake truffles in Red Velvet, Luxe Triple Chocolate and our holiday specialty flavor Champagne. Take a peek!
Special thanks again to the amazing staff over at the Lodge! For more information visit them at http://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?lodge=254 or come see us at the Janesville Bridal Fair on March 4th at Craig HS.
2nd Annual Janesville Area Creativity Awards 2012
I love being a part of projects that have so much potential to turn into something really, really great. The JAC Awards is a fundraising event put on by The United Arts Alliance. I had the pleasure of helping organize this event along side some of the hardest working and talented people I know. I was also given the honor of being nominated in 2 very different categories this year: Culinary Artist and Photography.
I took BLACK&GOLD elements from the JAC Awards and used them as inspiration for this dessert spread. An under-lit table cover, a feather boa and mini gold JACs gave this display the flair it needed to be AWARD SHOW GLAM. I stole a few moments to capture some of the details. Like Cass’ awesome mini chocolate cupcakes topped with vanilla frosting and Chocolate Award Man army.
For more information on how you can nominate for the 2013 JAC Awards or for more information on United Arts Alliance, visit us —–> www.rockcountyarts.com
Wedding Planner + Guide 2011 Bridal Show
"Peacful Nature" Vignette
WOW! We were flattered by all the wonderful reception at our Madison debut and were glad to make some new friends. Website updates to come soon, but for now, visit here for more recent news and photos! —————-> www.facebok.com/osteradesign
