In this captivating article, you will meet Jasmine Rae de Lung, a San Francisco-based cake maker who finds beauty in change, time, and even life and death. Jasmine’s artistry is rooted in embracing the natural process and surrendering to the unexpected, rather than meticulously designing every last detail. Her cakes, which can take anywhere from 12 to 200 hours to create, are as much about the process as they are the final product. Through her unique approach and distinctive techniques, Jasmine’s cakes become sculptural and alive, embodying the passage of time and the inherent ephemerality of working with an edible medium. Join Jasmine on her journey as she explores the relationship between herself, her craft, and the environment, and discover the captivating beauty that emerges from a cake maker who dares to let go and let the process unfold.
The Beginnings of Jasmine Rae de Lung’s Cake Making Journey
Jasmine Rae de Lung’s interest in cake decorating began a decade ago when she wanted to test out new decorating elements. She headed to Clement Street in the Richmond, a neighborhood with several Asian markets, and bought rice paper sheets typically used for Vietnamese spring rolls. However, the sheets didn’t work for draping on a cake as they became flimsy when wet and shrank and shattered when refrigerated. Although the rice paper sheets didn’t work as expected, de Lung saw their potential in detailing. She cut them into pieces, dyed them, dried them, and attached them to wires, creating delicate flower-like decorations.
De Lung quickly realized that the rice paper sheets couldn’t be controlled or commanded. Instead, she had to embrace the beauty that the material wanted to form. This serendipitous process became a fundamental aspect of her cake decorating journey.
Jasmine Rae de Lung’s Artistic and Psychological Background
Unlike many professional bakers, Jasmine Rae de Lung never received formal training as a baker. However, with the encouragement of her boyfriend at the time, she started her own business, Jasmine Rae Cakes, in 2006 as an outlet for creative experimentation. Initially, de Lung baked items for local cafes, but in 2010, she decided to focus exclusively on cakes, primarily making them for weddings.
De Lung’s approach to cake making is heavily influenced by her background in art and psychology. She attended an arts magnet high school and studied cognitive science in college. Pursuing a master’s degree in psychology helped her develop a deep understanding of herself and her creative process. She believes that her artistry is rooted in surrendering to what’s going on and embracing the natural process, rather than designing and creating every last detail. De Lung incorporates herself, her skills, and her surroundings into her cake making process, considering factors such as light, surface, temperature, and humidity.
The Ephemeral Nature of Cake Making
One of the unique aspects of cake making is its inherently temporary lifespan. While Jasmine Rae de Lung can spend countless hours creating intricate cakes, they are meant to be eaten and enjoyed, lasting only a short period of time. This ephemeral nature of cakes provides inspiration for de Lung. She draws inspiration from change, aging, and death, which took center stage in her work as her mother battled a terminal illness. To capture the essence of time passing, de Lung often incorporates dried flowers into her cake designs. Dried flowers symbolize the passage of time, as they continue to move and change even after being cut off from their life source.
Distinctive Elements in Jasmine Rae de Lung’s Cakes
Jasmine Rae de Lung’s cakes feature distinctive elements that set them apart. One of these elements is the “elephant skin” texture in her fondant. De Lung discovered that the low-humidity environment in her kitchen caused the fondant to dry out and crack, resembling elephant skin. Rather than trying to prevent this natural occurrence, she embraced the texture and integrated it into her work, recognizing the beauty in its imperfections.
Sculptural forms and techniques are also prominent in de Lung’s cake decoration. She explores techniques such as creating rough stone textures, torn paper ruffles, and what she refers to as “crawling ridges.” These techniques emphasize surface and movement, giving the illusion of motion and texture in her cake designs.
Creating Motion and Texture in Cake Design
Jasmine Rae de Lung goes beyond traditional cake decoration by incorporating motion and texture into her designs. One technique she employs is carving cakes to create a sense of movement. Similar to how a sculptor shapes a block of marble, de Lung carves her cakes with a knife before applying buttercream and fondant. This carving technique allows her to create billowing, undulating, and unfolding forms that evoke a sense of motion within the cake design.
In addition to carving, de Lung adds delicate and translucent fondant pieces to her cakes, further enhancing the sense of texture and movement. These nonuniform fondant pieces add depth and dimension to the overall design, creating a visually stunning effect.
Emphasizing the surface and movement, de Lung also incorporates “crawling ridges” into her cake decoration. These ridges enhance the texture and give a sense of crawling or creeping motion.
The Beauty of Unfinished Cakes
In a departure from traditional cake decorating, Jasmine Rae de Lung finds beauty in leaving elements of her cakes unfinished. Doing so allows for a sense of uncertainty and welcomes the viewer to participate in the story of the cake. Leaving parts of the cake incomplete also reflects de Lung’s belief that certain parts of our own stories are still unwritten. The unfinished aspects of her cakes leave room for possibilities and allow for a sense of continual unfolding.
The Pricing and Workshops of Jasmine Rae de Lung
Jasmine Rae de Lung’s cakes are highly sought after for weddings. The cost of her cakes for local weddings typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. However, de Lung also offers her services for destination weddings, and the highest amount she has charged is between $30,000 and $40,000. Additionally, de Lung shares her expertise through workshops for other cake makers, allowing them to learn her unique techniques and approaches to cake design.
Balancing Freethinking and Planning in Wedding Cakes
Jasmine Rae de Lung’s approach to wedding cake design strikes a balance between freethinking and planning. While weddings typically involve meticulous planning, de Lung embraces a flexible and adaptive approach. She offers rough sketches to clients, promising to employ certain techniques and keep their specific story in mind. However, de Lung also allows for the evolution of the cake design as she works on it and responds to the process. This combination of freethinking and planning ensures that each cake is a unique creation that captures the essence of the couple and their special day.
In conclusion, Jasmine Rae de Lung’s cake-making journey is a testament to embracing serendipity, finding beauty in change, and creating art that goes beyond the final product. Her cakes are not just edible masterpieces but also reflections of her artistic and psychological background. With distinctive elements, motion, and texture, her cakes explore the transient nature of life and the importance of leaving room for unfinished stories. Through her pricing and workshops, de Lung shares her passion and expertise, inspiring others in the cake-making community. Overall, Jasmine Rae de Lung’s cakes are a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the beauty found in every moment of life.
