You have a cake on your birthday. You have a cake at your wedding. Why not have a cake at another one of life’s most meaningful celebrations: your bachelorette party?

We died and went to cake heaven when we saw the fabulous shoe and purse cakes crafted by Chocolaz, one of our many talented vendors appearing at Beyond the Boa: Seattle's Largest Bachelorette Party.

These artisian cakes are tasty, tempting, tantalizing...almost too cute to eat! We chatted with chief creative, Sonal Pardeshi, about her one-of-a-kind, couture cakes.
 
A Grand Wedding (AGW): How'd you get started making designer shoe and purse cakes; what was your inspiration?
Chocolaz:  I view cakes as an art form that’s not only about taste, but beauty, creativity and harmony. I use inspirations from the world around me; my travels to various countries and exposure to their art and culture …a desire to bring that joy and beauty to others around me.
 
Europe is a hub for fashion. Their designs and quality of craftsmanship with respect to attire, bags, shoes and other couture items, is phenomenal. I would like to bring a taste of Europe and their love of couture to my clients through my art form—cakes!

AGW: We are so loving these shoe cakes. Where do you get your shoe inspiration?
Chocolaz: Clients often drop off their wedding shoes, bring pictures of purses or items that are dear to them—anything they would like to treasure in sugar forever—and ask me to recreate them.
 
Each shoe or bag is unique. The shoes are all sugar, but the bags are actual cake. I also offer standard shoes or bags that are designed in my imagination and not inspired by brand label items. I've also made cakes that look like expensive perfume bottles!

AGW: How much are your shoe and purse cakes?
Chocolaz: Prices range, based on number of servings and complexity of design. I have had customers who spend thousands on making a statement cake for a special occasion, but I’ve also worked with those who are trying to stay within a fixed budget. I strive to provide designs that are not only beautiful but meet a client’s budget requirements.

AGW: What flavors do your cakes come in?
Chocolaz: Most of my sculpted cakes—barring a few that appear to defy gravity!—can be made with Mocha Jamaican Rum Spice Cake with Hazelnut Crunch Cream, or Brown Butter Cake with Bavarian Cream and Strawberry Compote. I also offer custom flavors.