Perfecting your cake photography and sugar artistry talents just might pay off for you, too, as St. Louisan Deva Williamson recently experienced, by taking part in the first TV season of the Food Network’s original sugar art competition, Candy Land.
How did you get started in the culinary arts?
I attended culinary school, and I’ve been in the culinary Industry for about 20 years now. But I didn’t venture into the baking aspect of it until my mother-in-law gave me her set of decorating tips, and it just seemed like the challenge I'd been searching for. So I started perfecting my craft, creating with them all the time, which was surprising, as decorating wasn’t my strongest aspect of culinary school at all.
How did you end up auditioning for Candy Land?
Well, that event in my life was rather surprising, too, to say the least. I’ve been doing my cake photography and sharing my creations with friends and family for years now. But when the producers of Candy Land saw my work via social media, it intrigued them enough that they wanted to see what I could do as a member of one of the teams. I was sort of shocked at first when they called, as I wasn’t seeking the limelight at all. But, with reassurance and support of my family, I decided to take the leap, and head off to do the show. It turned out to be an incredible experience.
For readers who haven’t seen the show, can you share what happens in Candy Land?
The producers put together five teams of individuals, and dropped us onto a set that was made out of candy, that literally took us into the world of the board game, Candy Land. Each week, we were given an assignment that sends us scavenging for actual elements throughout the lands of the game: Peppermint Forest, Gumdrop Mountains, Lollipop Woods, Lemon Lime Springs or Chocolate Mountain, to create our confectionary masterpieces, for a chance to win $25,000. It was rather nerve-racking creating under the time restraints, as I am used to taking my time when I create, whether it takes me two hours to develop and design a cake, or ten or more. I’m used to bringing my artistry to life on my own schedule. Then, when you add in the element of learning to work in a team environment, which I hadn’t done before, well, that was a learning experience, too. But I really feel that this opportunity has totally stoked my creativity, and helped me to develop a stronger skill set than when I started down this path. I was also very impressed by how the producers knew each of our backgrounds, and personalities so well, that they put the perfect people together to form each of our groups, to take on all the challenges that were set before us.
It all sounds pretty intense and exciting. Do you have any “words of wisdom” from your experiences on Candy Land for your fellow sugar and cake artists in the St. Louis region?
The one thing that comes to mind is: If any opportunity arises throughout your life, take it. I wasn’t in search of this incredible opportunity, but it came my way, and even though I was apprehensive to say yes, I am so happy that I took a chance on ME!
To catch all the episodes of the inaugural season of Candy Land, and to see Deva and her team in action, visit FoodNetwork.com.
