Posh Manna offers a variety of custom cakes , Linzer cookies ( above ), macaroons and other desserts .
“ In a small town , word travels fast ,” she says . As she got more involved in baking , she spent more time researching . She was secure in her abilities to decorate , but she was committed to learning the art of baking . “ It was the more upscale and traditional old-world techniques ,” she says . “ Just pure baking . Pure buttercreams .” Through trial and error , she perfected French and Swiss buttercream . Then she turned her attention to macaroons . That ’ s where , she says , she really set herself apart . “ Even down to the fruit filling compote that is fresh fruit balanced with floral and / or herbs and things ,” she says . “ I try to use the purest ingredients and refine it so it ’ s unique and high quality .”
Though they ’ re time-consuming and tricky to make , macaroons have become one of Meade ’ s best-selling creations .
“ There ’ s nothing cheap or fast about it ,” she says of the process .
“ You either do it right , or it ’ s trash . “ I just love that about it .” Meade still makes those simple requests like a birthday carrot cake , but she ’ s often busy creating intricate multiple-tier wedding cakes with hand-drawn designs .
“ I call it canvas on cake ,” she says of her hand-drawn creations .
“ It ’ s the icing on the cake for me because I get to draw .” It also allows her to personalize on a different level . “ I like to convey to people that the reason I do this is that I really enjoy making something original that people can receive and enjoy in their special moment ,” she says . “ It ’ s one-of-a-kind and represents that special occasion whether it ’ s a birthday cake or a wedding cake .”
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Five years after officially launching Posh Manna Cake Art , Meade still works out of her kitchen , but is helped by her 20-year-old daughter Chloe Craddock and her newest assistant Derick Drafton .
Chloe not only assists in the creative , but also helps run Meade ’ s social media and website , through which orders are placed and appointments for wedding tastings are scheduled .
Though her kitchen has met her needs so far , Meade has her eyes on something bigger .
“ I ’ m looking to start a boutique hotel in Beckley ,” she says , explaining her baking operation would relocate upon its opening .
“ A lot of good things are happening and things are really looking up for Raleigh County and southern West Virginia ,” she says of her reason for the plan . “ There ’ s so much potential .”
She has big plans for it and says it ’ s moving along but isn ’ t ready to release too many details just yet .
In the meantime , she ’ s simply focused on providing the best service she can .
“ You ’ re only as good as your last cake ,” she says .
• • • Meade asks those interested in ordering custom cakes or other desserts to visit www . poshmanna . com .
She asks that intricate cake orders be placed about 2 ½ months ahead of time and says weddings are booking four to six months in advance . Posh Manna also offers specialties for the holidays . This year ’ s Christmas menu will feature Swiss Yule Logs and three choices of macaroons — chocolate mocha , holiday spice and pistachio — sold by the dozen .
For more information , visit Posh Manna online .
56 ❖ SOUTH ❖ NOVEMBER - DECEMBER ' 22