The shape of the spleen wasn't the problem.
The brownish-purple hue was the biggest challenge for Jennifer Saxon, owner of Jennifer's Cakes.
She researched the organ so she could create a cake that was visually accurate, since the biology professor it was created for and his colleagues would likely notice if it wasn't quite right.
"It has to be really right because they're going to know," she said.
Saxon said some customers choose a cake from designs she has already created and photographed.
Others ask her to design one for them. In these cases, she will ask questions to determine the tastes of the person for whom the cake is ordered and use the information to design a custom cake.
"I love it when people have some idea to expound upon," she said.
Many times, people ask for unusual designs without understanding the challenges that go into achieving that design, Saxon said.
"People don't know any boundaries," she said.
During her 10 years as a pastry chef at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel, she learned to say, "Yes, I can," and then figure out how to make it happen, she said.
"There's usually blood, sweat and tears," she said.
Her customers don't see that part. For her, the reward comes when they first see their cake. "I love standing back and watching people's reactions," she said.
The only thing she asks is that customers give her at least a week for research and design, since only she and part-time employee Stephanie Landrum create and decorate.
Saxon fell in love with the craft after her manager at the Radisson sent her to school to learn to make wedding cakes.
"Cakes are the way to go," she said. "I left (the Radisson) five years ago and never looked back. It's really wonderful to find my niche so early."
She keeps up with her profession by taking classes and is an active member of the International Cake Exploration Societe. She also subscribes to trade magazines and avidly watches Ace of Cakes on The Food Network.
"It's sort of like an addiction," she said.
For more information on Jennifer's Cakes, call (803) 278-5576 or visit www.redtopcakeshop.com.
Reach Lisa Kaylor at lisa.kaylor@northaugustatoday.com.
