A Madrid pastry chef is savouring the sweet taste of victory after winning a contest to find the perfect cake for the springtime wedding of Crown Prince Felipe and TV newsreader Letitia Ortiz.
Competition to produce the new Prince of Asturias cake was stiff, with 10 finalists battling it out after a two-step contest judged by a panel of journalists and gourmets.
Francisco Somoza Estevez's winning confection – selected in a competition sponsored by the city's pastry craftsmanship association – is expected to be served at the May 22 wedding and should thereafter become a staple dessert on Spanish menus.
The Prince of Asturias cake consists of a base of almond sponge under several colourful layers – a passion fruit crème, raspberry sauce and rice pudding mousse – symbolising the Spanish national flag.
Topping the sweet creation will be a combination of symbols representing everything from the city where the nuptials take place – Madrid – to the number of children the prince and future princess might have.
Among the decorations completing the cake will be the Prince of Asturias coat of arms, the shield of the royal house, two wedding rings and a pair of blooms representing the bride and groom. And finishing off the array of symbols will be four smaller flowers. "Since the prince told us that he was hoping to have between two and five children," explains the cake's creator, "let's see if we get the number right."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
