Cake Bake & Sweet Show REVIEW + WIN

I'll be completely honest with you that this expo didn't quite interest as much when I first heard about it but boy, oh boy I am so glad I went in! It really was a situation of 'don't judge it before you try it'.
This expo was a MUST, is a MUST and a MUST to revisit when it comes back around.

Cake Bake & Sweet Show was at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre in main CBD, opening to the public from Friday 3rd October to Sunday 5th October.
I ventured into the city for Day 1 of the expo with my younger sister who is a dessert baking lover - many fabulous birthday cakes have come from her creations, might I add and my little girl.
I arrived into the expo shortly after 11am and it was already very busy and filled with passionate foodies and bakers. I must admit it was pretty hard to get around with the pram in the isles.
The isles were a good spaced out area but it was just a very popular expo with a lot of people in the same spot.
The main area you will struggle to move around in is the producers marketplace (the black stall areas) as this was were a lot of the sampling and ready made items where up for purchasing.

My highlights of the producers marketplace was Luxbite - which I have been drooling over on instagram from the gorgeous pieces and after seeing the Lolly Bag Cake that they featured on Masterchef. The Salted Caramel Spread is to die for! Hands down best salted caramel ever!
N2 was a very popular stall - use of liquid nitrogen to make desserts. Unfortunately I didn't get anything from N2 as I wanted as it was a little too busy to wait in queue for.

Along the back right hand side wall there was so many entries into the Art of Cake Challenge which saw many intricate cakes that so pure talent and passion that shined right out from viewing them.

Cake Bake & Sweet Show have a range of classes, seminar talks and live stage presentations that are really something you should study up on and ensure you head to those areas early to get yourself a seat.
I would have loved to have taken part in some of the Make & Take Classes but time was working against me, next year for sure though I'll ensure to plan my day around classes.





On Day 1 we spent about an hour walking around looking at all the stalls and then we joined a huge line to meet Buddy Valastro 'Cake Boss' and have our books signed, after a 2.5 hour wait unfortunately the line was cut a few people in front of us which had me in a huff and puff being upset that I couldn't meet someone who I adored on TV but at the end of the day we need to accept that Buddy is only human as well and has a tight schedule to run by as much as he would have loved to have meet everyone.
After the line got cut for Buddy meet and greets we left the expo and decided that tomorrow we would arrive at opening to be sure that we could join the lines right from 10am as the expo opened to ensure we were able to meet Buddy this time around, determination was in my mind and we got third in line from the front of the queue. Today (Day 2) met another 3 hour wait to meet Buddy but was oh so worth it! How many opportunities come up like this where you can meet an International TV star!

On Day 2 we arrived at opening which you could just smell all the amazing aroma of freshly baked cakes and other delectables.
The show actually stopped ticket sales during midday due to reaching a full capacity of the show, that's how good it was!

Chocoholics Online Candy Buffet Display

Wedding Chapel Day 1

Wedding Chapel Day 2

Natvia - my fav for a natural healthier version

Natvia displays

My Show Tips:

• Arrive early for the big names meet and greets
• Plan your day and know whats on - times and where 
• Arrive early at the presentations / seminars
• Try not to bring a pram unless very necessary - carriers would be best
• Purchase priority tickets to enable you to get a seat into the lifestyle stage shows

Last day tomorrow - Sunday 5th October - be sure to get in from 10am till 5pm.
Read extra details here.

I made sure that I looked after my readers/followers too and in saying that I have personally signed Buddy - The Essential Cake Boss book to giveaway. This has shown true dedication and a lot of waiting just to be sure I could give back to my fellow foodie lovers out there!
This giveaway will be my first giveaway that is open INTERNATIONALLY!
To try your chances on scoring a personally signed book by Buddy Valastro then simply use the rafflecopter form before.

Giveaway ends 3rd of November, 2014 at midnight. Winner announced on 4th November, 2014.
Winner will have 24hrs to make contact after email is sent otherwise redraw will occur.
*Giveaway is open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!