YOU DO WHAT?: Delicious is part of her company name
Cake creator loves the challenge
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| ANDREW JANSEN PHOTO Donna Price works on a cake Friday at her bakery in High Ridge. |
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As the owner of a bakery, the Barnhart resident bakes and decorates cakes and desserts everyday for special occasions.
Her great-grandmother taught her how to bake, and she has dedicated her entire life to perfecting her passion, though she is careful to never grow too comfortable with her own skills."When you stop making it a challenge, that's when you mess up," Price said as she made careful cuts into a warm, fresh cake square with special culinary tools.
Baking, especially cake decorating, is all that Price ever wanted to do, so the job does not feel like work.
"I always told my kids, if you do what you like, you will never work a day in your life," Price, mother of three and grandmother of two, said.
Her favorite part of decorating cakes is the reaction of the clients when they see the finished product.
"I like to make people happy," Price said. "My husband tells me I'm a people pleaser."
Mary Shannon, who works for Price, said decorating is a creative outlet.
"You're doing something that's special to somebody," the Cedar Hill resident said. "Cakes are a special part of celebrations."
While anyone can mix up a bit of batter and toss it in the oven, Price said it takes a certain knack to truly excel at baking professionally. Decorating cakes takes careful planning, creative designing and a desire for perfection.
"You have to think a lot and use imagination," Price said.
There's an art to the profession, she said.
Price takes bits and pieces from existing designs she comes across as the inspiration for her own creativity. She especially enjoys the freedom she receives when decorating cakes for her grandchildren.
For her first grandson's first birthday, Price created a two-tiered cake that read "Smash Me" with a teddy bear designed in the icing. Gum paste candles, each uniquely decorated, bordered each tier. Her grandson was then able to smash his fist into the teddy bear icing, just as the cake directed.
Her favorite cake of all was a square wedding cake with large gum paste bows on each corner, resembling porcelain, and just as fragile. Price created a rim around the cake with another large bow on top.
"It looked like a present," Price said.
Her favorite occasions to bake for are weddings and baby showers, and her favorite cakes are square or stacked cakes because of their contemporary designs.
"I like big-I like big desserts," she said.
Price prefers to use butter cream icing rather than fondant. She meticulously smooths the icing until it appears as smooth as fondant, but tastes better.
In fact, it can be tempting to dip into the delectables with sweets on hand every day, but Price has learned to avoid snacking on her tasty treats.
"I had to go on Weight Watchers," she said with a laugh.
Now she has learned to trust her consistency of the ingredients and not sample the desserts.
According to Price, one of the biggest benefits of choosing a professional baker for cake design rather than a large grocery store chain is the freedom of customizing the decorations and that the cake is freshly baked.
"It might cost a little more, but I use top grade ingredients," Price said. "It tastes better."
Often, Price said that the colors the client prefers reveal parts of their personalities. While white and ivory cakes are selected for reserved folks, those who are outgoing seem to choose extra color.
Price baked desserts for Bristol Seafood Grill in Creve Coeur for 20 years before branching out on her own. As one of her biggest fans, Price said her husband is extremely supportive of her new venture.
She opened Delicious by Donna at 2911 High Ridge Blvd. in High Ridge about seven months ago. In addition to cakes, Price and Shannon create other specialty desserts, including candies, cookie bouquets and three-inch high cupcakes.
For more information about Delicious by Donna, call 636-677-1009.
