A WOMAN in Ochiltree has bagged three awards at one of the biggest and most popular sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking shows in the world.

Earlier this year, we reported on how Tracey Mckay became interested in the art of cake-sculpting after watching TV programmes such as ‘Cake Boss’ during lockdown, and decided to take her own lavish creations to a virtual stage at Cake International.

This year, with restrictions well and truly eased, and the competition taking place in person, Tracey packed the car up and drove six hours down to Birmingham where she was welcomed with several accolades.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Tracey said: “One cake didn’t travel so far but we patched it up the best we could and still put it forward. We said it was damaged in transit but it got recognition anyway.

“To get an award in any of these competitions means you’re doing really well. I entered the virtual one months ago in case there was bad weather and I couldn’t go down but thankfully I could.

“It was a really nice surprise that my cakes got awards. I got an award for Sculpted Cake which was the cake of a black and white dog I made. I wasn’t going to put it in but I’m glad I did because the attention it got was crazy. From the bottom of the board to the top of is head is all cake. It was huge.

“I then got the Large Exhibit award which was of a skateboarding dog. I got a report back with really nice things about that one.”

Cumnock Chronicle:

Tracey believes she is the only person from Ayrshire to have attended the prestigious event, which makes her achievement all the more impressive.

And although she had to beat off some tough competition from across the globe, she is confident that her baking skills will win her more success.

She continued: “Someone did a huge life size Medusa just for decoration purposes, and there were lots of shops and demonstrations showing different techniques of baking.

“Out of thousands of cakes, I even got mine featured in the Daily Mail. There were people from all over – America, Italy, Spain and Poland. It really is the biggest cake show in the world.

“I could’ve went down there and got nothing because the judges were very harsh this year and were strict with the rules.

“I’ll now start planning for the next event because everyone loved the concept of the cakes. I have a few collaborations coming up – that’s when you make cakes for different cake magazines – and I’m looking forward to Christmas so I can experiment.

“I’m also teaching online once a month to a cake academy in New York. Strangers taking pictures of my cakes feels better than any award recognition. It’s been unreal.”