Spring Fever at Toni

There is nothing better than getting outdoors in the spring. I’m working hard to get all of the flower boxes on my deck planted so that I can start to host dinners out there.

Being a morning person, I’m also planning a brunch for friends on my deck in the near future. I was inspired to plan a brunch when my kitchen manager, Kim was pitching her idea for a goat cheese, caramelized onion and roasted red pepper savory tart to sell in the store. Accompanied with sweet breakfast pastries and fresh fruit, I think it will be a hit.

Now we just need the weather to hurry up and cooperate!

Valentine's Desserts

Valentine desserts make me happy! By this February holiday, we are all looking for a little love, fresh red berries and decadent chocolate. At TONI it gives us a chance to do some beautiful individual desserts. One of my favorites and of many of our customers is the Rosewater Petit Four. The flavor and the candied rose petal capture the Valentine sentiment.

Last year we started making an individual heart shaped French Silk pastry, perfect for an intimate valentine dessert. It has so many great components and textures. I couldn't wait to bring it back this year. (It is made with White Chocolate mousse, raspberry swirl, a nutella crunchy layer, chambord soaked genoise and a praline wafer) We do a larger version to share with the whole family. Valentines Day what a great winter treat!

Wedding Walk Inspirations

Every year we decorate the shop in anticipation of the Hinsdale Wedding Walk. We sample and display cakes, favors, and sweet table options. Here are some photos of the treats we made for the Wedding Walk in 2008. The color inspiration was red, pink and aqua blue. I loved how the aqua blue popped against the pinks and reds. It was one of my favorite windows and we have had many brides inspired by the "Word" cake.

Vintage Themed Photo Shoot at KLM

This week I participated in a Wedding Guide photo shoot at Katherine Legge Memorial Park along with Jane’s Blue Iris of Hinsdale.

Jane, from Jane’s Blue Iris chose the Vintage theme that was a perfect choice for KLM.
KLM Park has been around since the early 1920s and is the perfect setting for a wedding ceremony and reception with its beautiful wooded areas and natural light.

I loved the vintage theme and drew inspiration from the Victorian era. I created a sweet table full of delicately decorated cakes, petit fours and cookies.

The day of the photo shoot was sunny and beautiful, with the only downfall going to the bees that loved the sweet smell of our flowers and cakes. You can spot them in some pictures -and some of us were unfortunate enough to get stung- but all for the good of the pictures that will be shown in an upcoming issue of the Wedding Guide!

Here are some snapshots that Barb from Jane’s Blue Iris too. These will serve as a precursor to the upcoming Wedding Guide issue.

Also I plan to recreate the look in our store window as a sneak preview!