letter from the editor
The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be one of ACDN ' s busiest and most exciting periods yet. Behind the scenes, preparations are well underway for ACDN ' Cake Alley ' this July— a brand-new event that will bring decorators, suppliers and the wider cake community together in person. It ' s something we ' ve been working hard on behind the scenes and we ' re incredibly excited to finally share it with you. As planning progressed, it became clear that“ Mini Festival of Cake” created expectations that didn ' t quite match what we were building. Cake Alley is a smaller, more intimate experience designed specifically for the Craft & Quilt Fair audience— combining demonstrations, shopping, creativity and handson fun in one colourful destination.
We also have our Annual Awards Night coming up in September, an opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent, creativity and contributions that make this industry so special. There is something incredibly rewarding about taking the time to recognise the decorators, businesses and community members who help shape our industry every day.
We ' re also continuing to invest in learning opportunities for our members through upcoming educational experiences including Cake! Mastery- Hyperrealistic Cakes with Amber Comadira-Smith and Tradies Month sponsored by RedStar Insurance. Whether you ' re looking to refine existing skills, explore new techniques or challenge yourself creatively, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn throughout the remainder of the year.
Another exciting milestone is the launch of the Baking Box App for subscribers. This has been a project we ' ve been working towards for some time, and we ' re looking forward to creating an even better experience for members accessing tutorials, resources and educational content.
While there is certainly a lot happening, what continues to impress me most is the creativity, generosity and willingness to share that exists within this community. Every issue of Cake! Magazine reminds me just how much talent exists within ACDN, and how inspiring it is to see decorators encourage one another, exchange ideas and celebrate each other ' s successes.
The cakes featured throughout this issue are a wonderful example of that spirit. They remind us that decorating isn ' t always about restraint. Sometimes it ' s about saying yes to the brighter colour, the bigger texture, the extra detail or the design idea that feels a little more ambitious than usual. Often those are the creations that become the most memorable. I hope this issue leaves you feeling inspired to experiment, create boldly and continue pushing your creativity in new directions.
Happy decorating,
Emma Holliday Director & Editor Australian Cake Decorating Network
Emma