Margarita Cachia, 21, who forms part of the CaterEssence pastry team, struck gold last week at the Vivanda Culinary Competition held in Malta.
Margarita started her career in cake decorating at Cater Essence a year ago. The legendary trilogy Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, inspired the creation of her showpiece – the castle of Mordor with a war dragon and the eye of Sauron.
The structure has a circumference of 74cm, is 88cm high and is made of sugarpaste. The cake is completely handmade, with no moulds or cutters used. It took two months of very hard work to create.
CaterEssence, which forms part of Vassallo Group, is one of the largest and privately owned contract caterers in Malta. Established in 2010, it operates and specialises in hotel contract catering, care home catering, outside catering and produces a variety of pastries. It also operates The Cake Box outlets, as well as The Panorama and MIRO restaurants.