It took some cajoling, a bit of arm-twisting, and a pinch of out-right begging, but fans of Joburg�s couturier catering company, Catering & Associates can rejoice � this trendy food destination has extended its range of culinary delights to include wedding cakes!

A recent survey ranked chocolate as the vogue bride�s cake of choice, with carrot a close second. Catering & Associates chocolate wedding cakes are designed to be every bit as decadent and delicious as the wedding day should be. A slice of pure heaven!

If you are looking for the �in� thing in weddings, look no further than designer cupcakes! Moreover, if you are a fan of chocolate try Catering & Associates dark chocolate ones, chocolate orange, chocolate mud cake, or raspberry and white chocolate, and for the traditionalist Catering & Associates also offers a 24-carrot cupcake!

�Gone are the days of left-over fruit cake with prudish frosting. Today�s bride wants something special � a canvas on which she can express her personality,� says Taryne Jakobi, owner of Catering & Associates.

Piled high on Catering & Associates gorgeous cake stand, couture cupcakes are the epitome of sophistication and elegance � and best of all � they are easy to serve.

Match the frosting to the colour of the bridesmaids dresses, or pick up elements of the theme, like white chocolate sea shells on a pale ocean blue butter icing; pastel blossoms with meringue frosting or funky flowers, coconut cloud fairy cakes with white chocolate and coconut truffles; or passion fruit curd butterfly morsels; and celebration cupcakes with swirls of whipped chocolate ganache, piled high with chocolate shavings.

With a lavish selection of flavoured cake combinations such as coconut cake, coffee and Frangelico, orange/lemon/poppyseed, and tiramisu and walnut - brides can let their imagination run wild.

�This season�s hottest look in wedding cupcakes � polka dots in white, pink or chocolate,� says Taryne.

Delicately embellished with whipped chocolate ganache, deluxe butter icing, cream cheese frosting, royal icing or Swiss meringue these multi-faceted gems set the mood for any occasion.

�Fondant heart cupcakes with the bride and grooms initials are particularly popular for weddings,� says Taryne. Brides also use these tasty morsels to as a canvas for their vows: devotion, passion, love, trust and respect.

Cutting the cake is the most traditional part of the wedding ceremony � and for the traditionalist, a good idea is to have an individual cupcakes on tired stands and a small cake on the top of the stand for cutting.

Cupcakes are also great for bridal showers, along with Catering & Associates heart-shape ganache cakes and chocolate lamingtons.

�Our most popular cake is the original polka dot cake, available in three tiers, in dark and white chocolate, or pink and white chocolate. Nobody makes a better cake than us,� says Taryne.

But if polka dots are not your thing, a chocolate collar cake is both elegant and sophisticated: layers of soft sponge cake, smothered in whipped ganache, topped with chocolate shavings and wrapped in a solid chocolate collar � and for a touch of extra luxury, add an extra chocolate lace collar to round off this sensational creation.

Square cakes are simple and elegant. Catering & Associates does a sensational cube cake in buttercream frosting or chocolate ganache decorated with fresh flowers.

As heavenly to look at, as they are to eat, Catering & Associates use only quality ingredients: fresh eggs, and butter and the best, imported Belgium chocolate.

When attention to detail matters, call Catering & Associates on 011 706 7114 for all your wedding cake and catering needs or visit www.cateringandassociates.co.za.