I was asked to write a 'How To' article (based on research material) by an online publishing house, and this is what got created.
“Wolf,
Peter Wolfe is my husband’s name.
I
was brought up in the U.S.A. My family had migrated during World War II. A
German couple helped my young Jewish parents to flee from the clutches of The
Third Reich. I was born on a big American Carrier in the middle of the Atlantic
Ocean.
Time
and distance had not come between their friendship. I was brought up to believe
I would be married to Wolf. As a young girl, I was petrified. I loved my
parents and understood what their feelings of gratitude were, but the idea of
giving their daughter to the wolf! I somehow could not be comfortable with
that.
As
a result whenever I saw wedding cakes, I would imagine, on top of my wedding
cake, the bride and the wolf!
When
I was old enough, they showed me a picture of “ my wolf”. He was such a dish! I
could not believe it. We started writing to each other, became friends and
eventually decided to honor both our parents’ wishes. He agreed to live with me
here. The day was decided. He came with his parents and we got married. And
this honey, is the cake my Father baked in his Bakery for my wedding”, said
Mrs. Wolf pointing towards the classic photograph on the wall. The three-tier
cake had the Bride and the Wolf!
I
had gotten Mrs. Wolfe’s reference through a colleague at work. I really did not
know him that much, he just happened to pass by when I asked my close friend
Betty about which Bakery to book for my cake. We had decided to get married
exactly three months hence. John said, “I could not help overhearing, may I
suggest “Jewish Bakery” at Eleventh Street? It is very special. She will give
you all the trimmings you want and suggest something better keeping your style
in mind. You must book your cake as soon as possible. Bakers generally take 4
to 6 months’ booking. Give my reference to the owner Mrs. Wolfe. She might be
able to do something for you. Well, all the best”.
Mrs.
Wolfe showed me the big album containing the best of her previous work. She
explained how the trends keep changing. “Actually, the cake should be the
culmination of the rest of the décor, the theme of your wedding.
“If
you were having an outdoor wedding I would have suggested something like this
icing décor. Look at the basket weave and the fresh floral pattern. Perfect for
a Spring/ Summer wedding.
“Since
your wedding is in Fall, how about this square one, with sugared fruit and
Autumn leaves?
“These
are especially made for winter weddings”, said Mrs. Wolfe as she showed me some
beautiful cakes that had edible snowflakes and pinecones.
“
Like I said dear, the trends keep changing. Nowadays, people have started going
back to the traditional three tier cakes…” Even before she had finished I said,
“Yes, actually I want the one you had, but without the wolf”.
We
both laughed. Mrs. Wolfe asked, “What flavor do you want dear? Why don’t you
sample some of these pastries and tell me which one you like the best. You can
also have three different flavors for the three tiers.”
Mrs.
Wolfe was still smiling even as she wrote in her order book, ‘…smooth butter
cream, lacework icing, silver base…’ while I admired the photograph of her
wedding cake.
The
cake was something our guests absolutely loved. It added to the splendor of the
Evening. When Steve and I exchanged our vows, my colleague John Wolfe and his
mother were there as special guests. I had the hall set up in old classic style
too so all of it looked very ethereal. Three of my friends who got married since, have gone to the Jewish Bakery.
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