This example by the O&H Bakery in Racine was not included in the competition. At first it looked a bit plain, but closer inspection confirms to me that it is indeed good design.
As this hippo's hat will tell you, the reason for the event was the 100th birthday of our zoological society. 13 different area bakeries were invited to participate in a zoo-themed cake decorating competition.
Full disclosure causes me to alert you that these types of cakes do not really appeal to me. I can appreciate them only as an art form. Overheard conversations were discussing the various cake decorating shows on Food TV, Ace of Cakes, Cake Boss, etc. I've seen a number of these shows on occasion and consider them more as food fantasy rather than things I'd actually like to consume. I'm sorry, maybe I'm wrong, but I can not imagine ever being fully cake-happy with a mouthful of fondant coating the roof of my mouth. I'd rather a lumpy homemade Nigella Lawson-esqe cupcake topped with a candied violet, than an artificially colored and adorned confection.
That said, look at what amazing creatures can be made of edibles! My favorite was this giraffe cake (below) made by Ashley Drew of Make Cake. I loved the nursery rhyme feel of the animals, and the beautiful yet unusual color palette.
And Shredded Wheat for the straw on what appears to be a coarse sugar covered ground? Brilliant!
The Boy-O and Sasa took a tour around the children's events and I watched the cake demonstration for only about 20 minutes. Interesting, but confirming all the more that I just do not want to eat an electric green cake...
I appreciate these artists, and their ability to sculpt in edible terms. The realism that can be had with a handful of food colorants is overwhelming. After I took the cake decorating class last spring, I figured I could count out wanting to have an exclusive cake shop. I can see being an assistant in a cake shop, the one to come in a 4 a.m. and bake up all the cake. I can even see me mixing up frostings and colored food gels. But I think I'd like to leave the decoration part to professionals.
I, however, will be very content to continue to be amazed by their creativity.