Cakes serves as the centrepiece of dessert tables. They are the scene-stealers in many major life milestones such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. They are the focal point during functions. From custom-made to any regular store-bought, cakes are something that add an extreme amount of speciality to all gatherings.
Frances Anne Montilla, known to her friends and colleagues as Cheska, is among those who are in the business of making people happy through her intricately-designed cakes.
However, her journey into winning hearts with cakes didn’t happen in an instant. Cheska is, in fact, a journalism graduate! She earned a degree in Mass Communications from the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod. According to Cheska, while she was in love with her chosen field of studies, her fondness for travelling inspired her to pursue a different career path. For nine years, Cheska worked as a flight attendant for Qatar Airways. And it was not until she turned to a new chapter in her life that she discovered her talent and passion in cake decorating.
"When I met my husband who is a pilot, we both decided it was time for me to resign. On ground, I was restless. I wanted to learn and do something. At first I tried sewing, but sewing did not like me back! It was during my husband’s birthday when I stumbled upon the idea of learning about cake decorating. I ordered a custom cake for him. It was a huge airplane cake. I was awed by the creation and I got curious how it was done. And so I enrolled in a cake decorating class. Mind you, I didn’t have any clue about baking nor cake decorating!
"On my first class, I went home crying, I felt so lost and everything was so foreign for me. I didn’t know what icing sugar was— I was overwhelmed. But my husband, ever so patient, taught me how to measure the ingredients properly. He even taught me to bake my first cake! I took classes in Wilton and PME. I attended several workshops abroad and here as well, learned from cake decorating experts and I was hungry for information. I challenged myself to master the craft as it is a never ending process. Suddenly, the kitchen became my sugar playground!” Cheska fondly shared.
Since 2011, she has been working with cakes and turned it into a business she run from home. Aside from making custom cakes, Cheska also teaches cake decorating courses.
When asked about the most challenging and most rewarding part of being a cake designer, she said the many challenges that comes with the territory always keep her on her toes.
According to Cheska, "I love challenges. The more difficult the design, the more I am intrigued. I am always curious how things are made and what method a certain artist would use. I do get impatient though especially when
I get too excited over a design— it’s always a challenge for me to be calm and be patient. But cake designing has taught me a lot about myself too. I never thought I could be creative.
"It is always rewarding when I see a child enjoy the cake I make for him or her. It is touching when because of cakes, I have met and developed friendships with wonderful people. From their engagement to their weddings, their baby shower to baptismal. It not just business, it is a celebration of life and moments. Equally rewarding is seeing my students grow— when they accomplish something and find their niche in the industry. I will never forget how I started and I see myself in them,” she added.
Cheska has so far made many showstopping cakes that have been at the centre of many gatherings. But according to her, it was the cake she made for her son’s first birthday which she considered as the most memorable. The cake was Dave of Dave and Ava nursery rhymes. She made a gravity defying Dave where the character was carrying two birthday cakes while on a skateboard. It is not just because it was a labour of love for his dearest son that made the cake extra special. But also because of the tension and the emotions she felt when the entire cake almost fall flat on the ground because of some mishaps in the preparations of the internal structure of the masterpiece. Cheska added the experience made her realise the importance of patience and perfecting the basic techniques of cake decorating which she also imparts to her students.
"I always tell my students, perfect your basics, the foundation of your skills. Master your techniques and know the rules, so you can be creative and know when and how to break them. Patience for me is very important. In the world of creatives, being patient doesn’t come easy. I always want to see the finished product— yet there are so many steps or technique in order to achieve a design. Also, never stop practicing or perfecting your craft. I believe that you are only as good as your last work,” said Cheska.
On cake experts she looks up to for inspiration, Cheska named Myton Ouano of Antonio’s Kitchen and Valeri and Christina of the Queen of Hearts Couture Cakes as among them. Ouano who is based in the US is known for his avant garde cake designs given his background in painting. While the duo Valeri and Christina are based in the UK and world renowned for their mastery of contemporary buttercream art.
Cheska is happy and contented with her life in Qatar which is home to her since 2001. When asked about her future plans or where she thinks her deep love for cakes will take her, she remarked, "I am my happiest when I am able to just freely experiment and play with my tools— when I’m twiddling with my gumpaste or wafer paper. I take tremendous pleasure in being able to practice or try out an idea that comes in my mind. In the next few years, I just wish to be able to continue what I am doing now maybe in a more established platform or an academy!”
Frances Anne Montilla, known to her friends and colleagues as Cheska, is among those who are in the business of making people happy through her intricately-designed cakes.
However, her journey into winning hearts with cakes didn’t happen in an instant. Cheska is, in fact, a journalism graduate! She earned a degree in Mass Communications from the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod. According to Cheska, while she was in love with her chosen field of studies, her fondness for travelling inspired her to pursue a different career path. For nine years, Cheska worked as a flight attendant for Qatar Airways. And it was not until she turned to a new chapter in her life that she discovered her talent and passion in cake decorating.
"When I met my husband who is a pilot, we both decided it was time for me to resign. On ground, I was restless. I wanted to learn and do something. At first I tried sewing, but sewing did not like me back! It was during my husband’s birthday when I stumbled upon the idea of learning about cake decorating. I ordered a custom cake for him. It was a huge airplane cake. I was awed by the creation and I got curious how it was done. And so I enrolled in a cake decorating class. Mind you, I didn’t have any clue about baking nor cake decorating!
"On my first class, I went home crying, I felt so lost and everything was so foreign for me. I didn’t know what icing sugar was— I was overwhelmed. But my husband, ever so patient, taught me how to measure the ingredients properly. He even taught me to bake my first cake! I took classes in Wilton and PME. I attended several workshops abroad and here as well, learned from cake decorating experts and I was hungry for information. I challenged myself to master the craft as it is a never ending process. Suddenly, the kitchen became my sugar playground!” Cheska fondly shared.
Since 2011, she has been working with cakes and turned it into a business she run from home. Aside from making custom cakes, Cheska also teaches cake decorating courses.
When asked about the most challenging and most rewarding part of being a cake designer, she said the many challenges that comes with the territory always keep her on her toes.
According to Cheska, "I love challenges. The more difficult the design, the more I am intrigued. I am always curious how things are made and what method a certain artist would use. I do get impatient though especially when
I get too excited over a design— it’s always a challenge for me to be calm and be patient. But cake designing has taught me a lot about myself too. I never thought I could be creative.
"It is always rewarding when I see a child enjoy the cake I make for him or her. It is touching when because of cakes, I have met and developed friendships with wonderful people. From their engagement to their weddings, their baby shower to baptismal. It not just business, it is a celebration of life and moments. Equally rewarding is seeing my students grow— when they accomplish something and find their niche in the industry. I will never forget how I started and I see myself in them,” she added.
Cheska has so far made many showstopping cakes that have been at the centre of many gatherings. But according to her, it was the cake she made for her son’s first birthday which she considered as the most memorable. The cake was Dave of Dave and Ava nursery rhymes. She made a gravity defying Dave where the character was carrying two birthday cakes while on a skateboard. It is not just because it was a labour of love for his dearest son that made the cake extra special. But also because of the tension and the emotions she felt when the entire cake almost fall flat on the ground because of some mishaps in the preparations of the internal structure of the masterpiece. Cheska added the experience made her realise the importance of patience and perfecting the basic techniques of cake decorating which she also imparts to her students.
"I always tell my students, perfect your basics, the foundation of your skills. Master your techniques and know the rules, so you can be creative and know when and how to break them. Patience for me is very important. In the world of creatives, being patient doesn’t come easy. I always want to see the finished product— yet there are so many steps or technique in order to achieve a design. Also, never stop practicing or perfecting your craft. I believe that you are only as good as your last work,” said Cheska.
On cake experts she looks up to for inspiration, Cheska named Myton Ouano of Antonio’s Kitchen and Valeri and Christina of the Queen of Hearts Couture Cakes as among them. Ouano who is based in the US is known for his avant garde cake designs given his background in painting. While the duo Valeri and Christina are based in the UK and world renowned for their mastery of contemporary buttercream art.
Cheska is happy and contented with her life in Qatar which is home to her since 2001. When asked about her future plans or where she thinks her deep love for cakes will take her, she remarked, "I am my happiest when I am able to just freely experiment and play with my tools— when I’m twiddling with my gumpaste or wafer paper. I take tremendous pleasure in being able to practice or try out an idea that comes in my mind. In the next few years, I just wish to be able to continue what I am doing now maybe in a more established platform or an academy!”