CEO in the house...meet Mom !: Meet aspiring pastry Chef Lawrence !

Lawrence always wanted to be a pastry chef....although he probably did not know that at first.....what he did know is that he loved to make deserts. His love for baking started out as a hobby....from as early as 4 or 5 Lawrence was cooking along my side, experimenting with food,wanting to try new recipes and quickly developing his passion for creative cooking. Looking back, so important as a parent to let them explore their skills and what they like to do.....cooking in the kitchen became fun and a regular activity. He was very artistic. Our tv was always on the cooking channel, and must have watched every cake boss episode. I was starting to learn a thing or 2 about baking, decorating and fondant. He would try all sorts of recipes and get ideas and inspiration from the different cake artists. I would say that when Lawrence was 10 or so....i really started to notice, that he had a real talent....more so than just an interest in the kitchen. I knew that Lawrence would benefit from some type of courses and I started to look around for local baking classes - it was difficult to find classes that would taylor to someone as young as lawrence who was more advanced in baking than most kids his age. I finally found a local cake decorator "La Gaterie" specializing in wedding and specialty cakes that was willing to take on Lawrence in her classes......ofcourse, this was not a class for young kids...so had to make sure that Lawrence was okay with taking a class with adults. Was quite funny at the time of his first class, the other participants in the class thought it was a joke that someone as young was in there with them. They quickly learned that Lawrence was not your ordinary 13yr old and that he really had a passion for cake decorating ! These few classes really intrigued his interest and started to bake even more often. He was baking for all of our family events. He was regularly in my kitchen making cookies, and as he was getting older, he was making deserts I never tried myself. It was really incredible to see a little chef in the making. We did not have anyone in the family that was really good at baking.....I loved to cook, made all of my traditional greek cookies and deserts, that was the extent of my baking skills.

What Lawrence loves most as an aspiring pastry chef is that he can be creative, come up with his own interesting themes and textures, cake styles and recipes. For him, not only is it fun, but rewarding....when you love to do what you do....it is a form of art and expression !

Slowly Lawrence started to make more theme cakes and any type of cakes he was being asked to make. Lawrence has quite an imagination of his own and can create a masterpiece within hours. A pastry artist in the making. Every desert he makes, has it's own style, from classic to contemporary , modern and trendy, different flavors, variety of textures - just love to see what his next inspiration will be. As a proud mom, I always made sure I captured every single one. I guess my love for photography gave me an even greater opportunity to experiment on taking photos of his cakes....loved the detail so much so...that I probably have hundreds of photos....different angles of all his work !

I still remember the first time he made me a cake for mothers day, or the first Vourtzoumis cake, or my 50th cake, not to mention all of the other special cakes he made for us. Every time, I was just amazed. The latest one was for our christmas brunch - everyone was asked to make something personal, with pictures and something that would be meaningful....Lawrence made a film cake with pictures of our family life over the years.....it was truly remarkable.
Each of his cakes are remarkable.....and special.

His designs can be simple to extravagant.....there is no limit ! He already has plans and dreams to open up his own pastry shop.....then again....I am not surprised.

How many young bakers can make the most elaborate of wedding cakes - 5 tiers, different flavors, fondant in all textures and detail to dazzle ??? I only know of one.....and that is my youngest of my boys, working out of our family kitchen ! You would have never thought when he was on the ice, in his goalie equipment playing hockey that he also had another talent !

Years ago.......on plane rides....lawrence and I would often spend lots of time talking about how he can put his talent to use.....now he is actually putting his talent to use and loving every minute.

When lawrence first discovered fondant...he was determined to get it perfect......as a self taught young baker.....he would youtube how to cover a cake in fondant and watched many cake boss episodes. It was just interesting to see that once you put your mind to something, you can do anything - his artistic side came through, he enjoyed making desserts and specialty cakes, it was really inspirational, that someone so young can do this. His cakes looked and tasted fantastic ! He was quickly perfecting his techniques with every cake.

When his older brother got married in 2013 - Lawrence was making the wedding cake ! How often does that happen - your younger brother, 18yr old making your cake - I was nervous, can't blame me, but I was so proud, we all were !

Both wedding cakes were absolutely stunning....one for the Pentiction wedding in BC and one for the Montreal reception. They were both just beautiful.....and what was more beautiful is that they were made with love and affection !

No one could believe that it was the grooms baby brother that made the cakes ! Since then, Lawrence has made many more beautiful wedding cakes and different specialty cakes, cupcakes and cookies !

His passion comes right through and level of detail makes every cake a masterpiece.

Although he has never entered a pastry award competition, I could easily see this coming soon for Lawrence ! He has an artistic presentation side to him.....and really incorporates what the client wants with each cake.

When Lawrence is given carte blanche to create, I am always excited to see the finished masterpiece !

Success begins when you believe in yourself ! So very proud of you Lawrence !!! You are an inspiration in many ways to all of us....and have taught us all a thing or two !

I am your biggest fan and will always be ! We are all so very proud of you.

*Follow lawrence and his cake creations in instagram @lvcakes or on his
facebook page Lawrence Vourtzoumis Cakes