South Wales Echo

Baker’s amazing horse cake is a mane attraction

- MARCUS HUGHES Reporter marcus.hughes@walesonlin­e.co.uk

A BAKER made this astonishin­g lifesized sculpture of a horse out of cake after being inspired by the book War Horse.

Emma Jayne Morris, from Aberdare, created the horse for the Cake Internatio­nal sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking show at the NEC in Birmingham last weekend.

The 47-year-old owner of Emma Jayne Cake Design said it took her two weeks to make the cake using 50kg of marshmallo­w, 50kg of rice crispies, 70kg of sugar paste and 50kg of modelling paste.

Emma, who has only been baking cakes for the past six years, was awarded Cake Artist of the Year by Cake Masters magazine and received a special message from War Horse author Michael Morpurgo.

Emma has displayed showpieces at Cake Internatio­nal for the past four years, producing cakes in the shape of dresses as well as designs inspired by the Avatar and Maleficent films.

“I had done the pretty things and the flowery things but it was about getting the pain and passion across with the horse and I achieved it,” Emma said.

“We were encouragin­g people to buy poppies during the show and people were leaving them by the sandbags. It was quite touching to see.”

The mother-of-three was inspired to make the sculpture after a discussion with her husband Owain Morris on the way home from last year’s Cake Internatio­nal show at Alexandra Palace.

Owain, 41, works as a physical training instructor at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon.

Although a civilian herself, Emma wanted to design a piece that drew on his military connection.

“I’m so proud,” Owain said. “After all the hard work that has gone in over the years, to come out on top is absolutely fantastic.”

During the show, Owain sent pictures of the sculpture to the Facebook page of War Horse author Michael Morpurgo.

Morpurgo replied: “Quite extraordin­ary. What an achievemen­t. It is a great sculpture, wonderfull­y realised. Bravo you!”

Emma was awarded Cake Artist of the Year by Cake Masters Magazine at their Saturday night presentati­on at the Hilton Hotel in Birmingham.

She said she was shocked to win the award as she had attended the event as a nominee for another category.

“It was amazing,” Emma said. “I had a standing ovation.”

 ?? EMMA JAYNE MORRIS ?? Emma Jayne Morris’ horse sculpture cake was inspired by her husband’s military connection­s
EMMA JAYNE MORRIS Emma Jayne Morris’ horse sculpture cake was inspired by her husband’s military connection­s
 ??  ?? Emma Jayne Morris, from Aberdare, with her horse cake
Emma Jayne Morris, from Aberdare, with her horse cake
 ??  ?? Emma won Cake Artist of the Year for the stunning work
Emma won Cake Artist of the Year for the stunning work
 ??  ??

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