The Cake As Art

Cake is one of America's most important foodstuffs. All of life's big events are celebrated with cake, from weddings to birthdays and eventually, the wake. Cake is with us from the moment we're born to the moment we die — and yet too many people settle for sheet cakes, which when pronounced with a Spanish accent, is an accurate assessment of their quality. Local cake maker Kerry Soraci goes the opposite route with her I Scream Cakes. Soraci's cakes use organic ingredients whenever possible, they're made with great care for the balance of sweetness and moistness, and they're as far as possible from that run of the mill sheet on the cake evolutionary scale as man is from Australopithecus. They come in the shape of jack-o'-lanterns, sharks breaking the surface to eat a hapless swimmer, a battered 'n' bloody rollergirl, and scary witches. Tempted? You will be. Tonight from 6 to 10 p.m. at Old Orchard Art Gallery (37 South Old Orchard, Webster Groves; 314-440-0165), you can enjoy a sampling of I Scream Cakes four most popular flavors. And it's only $5 to attend. Get some! Proceeds from a cake auction benefit Mutts 'n' Stuff, so maybe if you're the high bidder, you'll be taking one of these babies home.
Sun., April 26, 2009