Taj Mahal, Indian themes inspire Filipino cake decorator

Filipino wedding cake designer Chef Peachy Juban credits the Taj Mahal and other themes from India for having first inspired her to create the signature style lantern cake, one that glows from within.
Juban, who has won several awards both inside Philippines and outside says she made her first lantern cake with an Indian theme.
"The Lantern Cake was popularised 15 years ago when I collaborated with Manila's top designer. You wouldn't believe but my first lantern cake was Indian in theme," says Juban.
The chef was here recently to hold a week-long training workshop in association with KitchenAid India, a counter-top appliances brand.

A Wilton USA certified instructor, Chef Juban's lantern cake has set the gold standard in cake decoration worldwide. The Lantern Cakes incorporate bespoke designs and light.
"I took inspiration from the palaces of Jaipur and wanted to incorporate their glow in my design," says Juban.

In love with Indian culture and history, the celebrity chef says, whenever opportunity permits she returns to India for motivations and inspiration.
"The Lantern Cake was officially launched when an international magazine asked me to do a version of the white wedding cake and I based it on the Taj Mahal and designed it with motifs of Lucknowi Chikankari," says the chef.

The cake with chikankari, a white-on-white embroidery done in icing was topped with a dome patterned after the actual architectural wonder.
With 10 years experience as a chef-instructor at the De La Salle-College in Philippines, and with a pastry shop of her own, Chef Juban has coached teams of students who have consistently topped national level contests.