I know the title of my blog may sound a little bit contradictory.  How can ‘Isolation’ and ‘Fun’ go together you ask?  Well, let me help you with this one.  If you are stuck at home, either working or not working, it’s easy to get down and sad about being home so much with not much to do or non-fun things to do.  The current situation we are all in right now is very strange and requires us to be apart from people we know and love and self-isolate ourselves until this virus thing passes.  For those of us who are extroverts and always on the go (that’s me and definately Chef!!) this is so difficult.  Being home all day, every day, is not something that happens in our lives and it’s easy to feel down and out.  But it doesn’t have to be! 

First thing to remember is that it's important that we all keep in touch even though we don’t see each other face-to-face.  There are so many different ways to do this, like picking up the telephone to check on a friend or family member or getting on social media more often than normal and post something ‘fun’!  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter are all great resources right now and it’s a great way to stay connected. 

Chef Nicholas and the team at ISAC are doing their best to keep in touch with everyone and post things on social media to help make the time pass by more quickly.  If you don’t follow Chef on Facebook or Instagram, why not?  Just search for Chef Nicholas Lodge and you can Follow him.  Here is a quick link. Chef Nicholas Lodge Facebook

Hello there!  Are you stressed out?  Is the current news report about all the things going on around the world stressing you?  According to a report published by the NY Times in April, 2019, Americans are among the most stressed out people in the world.  I don’t see a report on people outside the U.S., but I’m sure that stress does not stay just in the U.S..  Well, I want to help relieve some of the stress in your life, if only for a few minutes while you read this blog.

So, I’m going to focus on only positive things for today…… I want to start with the ISAC Spring Open House that was held last Saturday with a small but very fun crowd.  After many weeks of rain and overcast clouds, the Open House went off without a hitch.  Each student, cake decorator and friends were greeted with a warm, bright and sunny day and some bright and fun decorations at the door.

ISAC featured two demonstration times each lasting over two hours.  Chef Nicholas did a very fun, interesting and inspiring demonstration.  His demo showcased new products in the Nicholas Lodge line and silicone molds by Katy Sue Designs. 

Everyone who attended received a free cookie cutter, compliments of our friends at Ann Clark Cookie Cutters.  Here is the link to the Ann Clark Website. 

A break in the demonstrations provided time for everyone to enjoy refreshments and some “retail therapy” in the ISAC retail gallery. 

Now, if you were not able to attend the Spring Open House, here is some GREAT NEWS!!  Chef Nicholas has completed a video on the projects that he did AT the open house and put it on his YouTube channel!  WOW!  Now you can pretend that you are sitting in the ISAC classroom and Chef is teaching you all about how to make these fabulous projects while never leaving the comfort of your home.  Go to Chef Nicholas' YouTube Channel for the SPRING OPEN HOUSE VIDEO.

My blog this week is going to focus on the “New and Improved” ISAC Studio and some upcoming events that are now on the ISAC calendar.

As many of you heard, ISAC announced late last year that they were making some changes.  They decided to downsize the Retail shopping space and provide their products online for easy access.  The classroom is still there and has only changed a little bit because you know that Chef Nicholas holds some fabulous classes, so that’s not going away!

Now, I know that it “sounded like” they were going out of business, but I’m here to report that is NOT true!!  The team at ISAC is alive and well and there is so much going on!  Chef Nicholas has been traveling to different locations for cake shows and events (see last week’s blog for where he is this week).  And he is still developing and designing some fabulous products with Katy Sue Designs.

Here is a sneak peak at the new space at ISAC.  There is a new gallery area that has everything displayed on new gondolas and casework.  If you go for a visit, the entrance to the classroom and gallery is now through Suite E.  The new store is ready to visit by appointment only.  If you are local to the Atlanta, Georgia area, you can place your order online and then when you check out, select ‘local pickup’ and someone will contact you to arrange the pickup. 

There are some new and fun additions to the NL museum case, including many of his personal tools and products that Chef started off with over 40 years ago!  Some of the items in the case include his original work box that flew on the Concorde 9 times and traveled over 2 million miles around the world!  Chef should have put a Frequent Flyer number on that thing! 

The classroom has been updated with a more intimate feeling, giving a lovely personal space for each student.  The classroom holds a maximum of 12 students for each of the hands-on classes.  This means that once a class is posted online, you will have to sign up for the class pretty quick, because with only 12 seats, the classes are sure to fill up fast!

The lunch area offers a nice relaxing space to enjoy Scott’s delicious lunches and his signature warm out-of-the-oven cookies in the afternoon!! 

If you want to see the New and Improved ISAC, there is a wonderful opportunity coming up at the Spring Open House on Saturday, March 14 in Atlanta, Georgia.  You will have 2 opportunities to attend, one at 9:00am and one at 12:30pm.  Both sessions are the same.  Chef Nicholas will give a 2-hour demonstration on Spring decorating ideas for cookies, cakes and confections, including ideas for St. Patrick’s day, Easter and Mother’s Day.  There will be a refreshment break, plus time for some ‘retail therapy’ afterwards.  Here are some photographs of the projects he will be demonstrating.

You must pre-register for this event, so go to the REGISTRATION link and sign up!  The fee for this event is only $5.00. 

Check out the other upcoming events at ISAC by clicking on the CLASSES LINK.  Hope to see you there!

Stay Sweet and Keep Learning!

February continues to be a very busy month for the team at ISAC as they travel to 2 different shows this week and next.  By the time you read this, Chef Nicholas and Scott will be in Round Rock, Texas for the That Takes the Cake Show.  Round Rock is near Austin, for those of us not familiar with the state, like me….. 

This show starts tomorrow, February 21 and goes through Sunday, February 23.  Chef is going to be a very busy person at this show because he is one of the judges for the Competitions that are taking place and he will also be teaching a class on Monday after the show.

That Takes The Cake show is one of the largest cake shows in the U.S.  This annual event is run by the members of the Capital Confectioners of Austin, Texas.  They have a Facebook page that you can follow and there is information on the website where you can find out more about the event. That Takes The Cake website.  I have not personally attended this show, but it’s on my bucket list!  There are so many things to see and do at this show and reconnecting with Sugar Friends is always a special treat!

On Monday, February 24, after the show, Chef Nicholas will be offering his Rose Bridal Spray class.  This class is so popular that people continue to ask about it wherever he goes.  The class will be held at the Holiday Inn in Round Rock.  Here is the link to the Class Registration.  The class will be held from 9:00am – 6:00pm.  Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon!

Next stop for Chef Nicholas will be Louisville, Kentucky where he will be a part of the very popular Cookie Con show.  This show will be held from Thursday, February 27 through Saturday, February 29.  Chef Nicolas will be one of the Core demonstrators at this show.  He will demonstrate how to create a set of “English Garden and Floral Theme Cookies” on Friday.  He will use many different techniques in the class to create his beautiful cookies; like, how to stamp on a cookie, how to use a mold, vein, pipe and dust your cookies, just to name a few.

Here are some pictures of his project.

These are soooooo adorable!!

You can find out more information about his demonstration at this Demonstration link.

Now, I know that Cookie Con is officially sold out, but don’t give up yet!!  You can put your name on the Waiting list for Tickets or a Shopper Pass.  You never know when a ticket will open up!  ISAC will have a vendor booth at the show, so if you are there, be sure to stop in and say hi to Scott! 

There is still a lot more traveling coming up for Chef Nicholas in the coming months, including a trip to India, The French Pastry School and Katy Sue Design offices in London.  Hmmmm….. I wonder what that last trip is about?   Anyway, for now, put your “Nick Stick” or your “Chef Check” in Texas and Kentucky.  (If you don’t know what that means, you need to go back to my previous blogs!!) 

Stay Sweet and Keep Learning!

By the time you read this blog, Chef Nicholas and Scott are in town and getting ready for the FL ICES Mini Classes.  This is a 3-day event that is held in Orlando, Florida this weekend!  As a resident of Florida, I am personally excited about this event.  It’s right in my “backyard”!  There is no way I would miss this event! 

But, let me ask a question….have you ever seen a cake event being advertised with classes nearby, but you waited too long and missed out?  I know I have, and I really regretted it.  I mostly missed out on the event because by the time I made up my mind to go, the class was full or the class had been cancelled because no one else had signed up.  I hate when that happens!!

There are so many shows across the U.S.A. and internationally to choose from.  It takes a lot of effort, coordination and hard work to pull these things off.  The teachers work really hard to prepare for their classes.  They spend hours putting together materials and lessons that will help make your decorating skills the best in the business!  But none of this really matters unless you sign up and attend the events!!  

Now, I know life happens and things get in the way of what we thought would turn out to be a ‘regular week or month’, but if you really, really, really (was that enough really’s?....) want to attend these things, we have to sign up and be committed to attend!  Yes, I said WE….. that includes me because I know I am a big procrastinator sometimes!  The deadlines for these things are provided for a reason.  This is the only way for the event organizers and the teachers to plan for their classes.  I know we are all disappointed when a teacher has to cancel because no one has signed up for the class.  You can’t blame the teacher; they need to know if any students are going to come to the class.  It’s up to us, to sign up in a timely fashion and to be committed to being in class!

As most of you probably know, Chef Nicholas is on the road traveling all year long, around the world to so many different events for the Sugar Arts.  It’s hard to keep up with his schedule and keep track of where he is going to be next because he is so busy.  I am going to do my best to keep up with him from a virtual level and report back here to everyone.

This week, Chef Nicholas is traveling to Milan, Italy for the FIPGC Cake Designers World Championship.  This is an international competition that only happens every two years.  This year, it will be held on October 19 – 20 and will have literally thousands in attendance.  FIPGC stands for Federazione Internazionale Pasticceria Gelateria Cioccolateria or to translate, it is the International Federation of Pastry Gelato Confectionery.  Thank you Google Translate!