Monday, May 11, 2009

Celebrating Baby's First Month!


(Click on the collages above for a closer look
or click here for more details)

Unforgettable celebrated a baby's full month with some cupcakes and red eggs.

Topped off with "too cute to be eaten" fondant embellishments, they were a big hit!

From everyone at Unforgettable, we would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to the parents of Baby Ashley!

The tradition, its origin and its symbolism
"Mua Guek", which means "Full Moon" (滿月, which literally means "Full Moon"), signifies the new born baby’s attainment of a full month's survival in good health, which calls for a celebration.

In Chinese culture, proud parents introduce their new born baby by holding a celebration during the baby's first month birthday. Traditionally, the baby's name is also announced at this time.

In the Chinese tradition, the first month birthday of a newborn calls for a celebration. It is the time for proud parents to host a red egg and ginger party to announce their latest addition to their family. Invited guests come to the party with red packets if the newborn is a boy and jewelry if it’s a girl. In appreciation, the host will hand out red eggs to all guests.

The red eggs and ginger parties came about due to high infant mortality rates in ancient China. A newborn who reaches one month of age is likely to survive and thus families call for celebration. This is also the time when the new mother emerges from her confinement period. The new mother is considered weak after birth. To allow her to recuperate and to keep her from any possible virus or bacterial infection, she would go through the month long confinement period resting indoors.

Traditionally in the male dominant Chinese culture, red eggs and ginger parties were sometimes held only if the newborn was a boy. Baby girls back then might have gotten only a small family dinner for celebration.

Today, the red egg and ginger party is hosted for all newborns, regardless of their sexes. Party standards and ambience have evolved over time, with an ‘East meets West’ concept. They have gotten more elaborate - from restaurants to party organisers and buffets. However, the red egg tradition remains as an important part of the celebration.

RED EGGS
Dyed red eggs are an integral part of the full month celebration as it symbolizes happiness and the renewal of life, as well as announce the arrival of a newborn baby. Parents may also use the brightly colored eggs to announce the sex of the baby; an even number of eggs are sent out for a boy, and an odd number to announce a baby girl.

ANG KU KUEH (“Red Turtle Cakes”)
The dough of the "red turtle cake" is dyed red for good luck. This kueh also signifies longevity as turtles have long lives. Thus, the “ang ku kueh” is made to resemble a turtle's back.

In the olden days, the design on top of the “ang ku kueh” will signify the sex of the child. A turtle and two marbles is the sign for a boy while a girl is represented by two peaches and Red Eggs. Nowadays, to simplify things, a ‘pointed’ “ang ku kueh” signifies a boy while a ‘flat’ one a girl.

In recent years, however, some of the traditions surrounding the custom of passing out red-dyed eggs have been modified. Nowadays, in modern Singapore, the more hip parents give out chocolates or soft toys instead.

GLUTINOUS RICE
In Singapore, the Chinese prepare a glutinous rice dish to distribute along with the red eggs. Different dialect groups have different ways of making this dish. The Teochew version is sweet and steamed while the Hokkien version is savoury and fragrant, cooked with fatty pork, dried shrimp, Chinese mushroom, dark soy sauce, and fried shallots.

PEANUT CANDY
The peanut candy is also another delectable ‘sweet’ distributed along with the full month gifts. It signifies all things sweet and happiness in the birth of the new born baby.

Acknowledgements:
Red Eggs photo reproduced from http://www.ehow.com/how_2310217_make-red-eggs-.html

Ang Ku Kueh photo reproduced from http://servbot87.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html#6197346954326139003

Glutinous Rice photo reproduced from http://www.camemberu.com/2009/04/ah-meng-restaurant-at-singapore-zoo.html

Peanut candy photo reproduced from http://www.meishichina.com/

Check out the many packages that Unforgettable has to offer, including many other personalised gifts and favours for the full month celebration of your child!

Various sizes available! Please contact us to enquire further.

To adopt some of these designs, please contact us on:
unforgettable.online@gmail.com
Posted by Unforgettable at 1:42 PM
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Pricing

*Plain cupcakes (without design) - please enquire

* Large: starting from $3.00 - $8.00 each for decorated cupcakes, depending on flavours, colours and design (minimum quantity 1 dozen)

* Regular: starting from $2.50 each for decorated cupcakes, depending on flavours, colours and design (minimum quantity 1 dozen)

* Small: starting from $1.50 each for decorated cupcakes, depending on flavours, colours and design (minimum quantity 2 dozen)

* Teenie-Tiny: starting from $1.20 each for decorated cupcakes, depending on flavours, colours and design (minimum quantity 2 dozen)

If you don't see what you are looking for or if you want a specific flavour that is not listed, email us at unforgettable.online@gmail.com or with comments, suggestions, questions & orders!

Unforgettable reserves the right to change our pricing without prior notice.
OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

Delivery Details

* For delivery, please place your order at least ONE working day in advance.

* Please note that all deliveries are on a one-time basis only. If the recipient is not present at the time of delivery, our delivery personnel will try to contact the recipient. If the recipient is not contactable, the delivery item will be returned to our shop and any subsequent re-delivery will be charged accordingly.

* There will be a delivery charge of $12 for orders below $100. (Additional charges of $4 and $8 will be applicable for delivery to CBD areas and Sentosa respectively).

* A minimum purchase of $30 is required for delivery.

Online Purchases

You can purchase online for self-collection.

Please note that we require 50% deposit upon reservation.

Cancellations Received:
1. More than 24 hours before collection, there is an admin charge of S$10.

2. Less than 24 hours before collection, there will be no refund.

* 3 days notice must be provided for all changes which is subject to availability and there is an admin charge of S$10.

* All refunds will be via online bank transfer and emailed to the email address provided within 14 days.

DEPOSITS ARE NON REFUNDABLE

4-6 days is typically enough notice for most orders. If we can squeeze in last minute orders we will, so don't hesitate to call.

Orders are taken on a first-come-first-served basis.

To confirm your order, please complete your order as listed below:

Name:
Address:
Contact No:
Cupcakes/Cakes:
Quantity:
Price:
Total:
Collection/Delivery Date:

Please note that some cakes may not be available as certain ingredients may not always be available.

For the same reason, as some decorations are also subject to supply availability, we cannot guarantee that cakes will be identically decorated as per this website. We will however endeavour to come as close as possible.

Gum paste flowers on cakes are decorative and may not be suitable for consumption but will make delightful keepsakes.

Wedding Cake and Cupcake

WEDDING CAKES

We find the following information is often useful to our clients in planning their wedding and budgets:

Prices include:

- 1 Hour of Consultation and planning (ea. additional hour is $30.00 per hour)

- Invitation to an open tasting party to sample flavours (a limited number of samples will be available at the private consultation)

- Free top layer of tiered cakes (often suitable for freezing for your first anniversary)

- Most buttercream decorations

Additional Charges Will be Assessed For:

- There is an additional charge to have more than two flavours of cake. ($50.00 each)

- Hand-modelled Flowers

- Add an additional 20% for Rolled Fondant, Marzipan or Poured Ganache.

- There is a separate charge for Pillars and Plates of $30 per Tier.

Your order must be finalized and payment made at least Fourteen (14) working days prior to your event. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of your order.

We have the ability to deliver a limited number of cakes per day to the mainland Singapore area. Delivery charges apply.

If we are unable to deliver, arrangements will be made for you to pick up your cake at our location. We also can recommend delivery services. These delivery companies are independent of Unforgettable so you will be asked to contact them directly.

When fresh flowers are needed for your cake design, you are required to make arrangements to provide them.

We will strive to match your colours as closely as possible when you provide colours swatches for us to use. Keep in mind that colours change somewhat, depending on the environment and lighting.

Please contact us to discuss how we are able to customize your wedding cake to your wedding theme.

WEDDING CUPCAKES

Price range:
*$3.50 to $8.00 for decorated cupcakes, depending on flavours, colours and design

Minimum Order Required:
1 tier = 20 regular cupcakes
2 tiers = 50 regular cupcakes
3 tiers = 80 regular cupcakes
4 - 5 tiers = 100 regular cupcakes

* Wedding cakes finished with Marzipan, or Fondant start from $40 per kg.

* Minimum 2kg. Labour charge is applicable for extensive decoration work.

* Additional charge is applicable for fresh or silk flowers, wedding figurines and accessories.

* Island wide delivery charge including assembly range from $25 to $30 depending on location, and the size of the cake.

* 2 weeks minimum notice is required. A surcharge of 50% will be applicable for orders received with less than 2 weeks notice.

Deposit

Booking is complete upon confirmation of deposit. Your reservation booking is not completed until we receive payment of the deposit.

Otherwise your booking will be automatically cancelled and given to the next waitlisted customer. Once we have received your payment, we will email you to confirm your booking is complete.

You can use Interbank or Telex Transfer to facilitate payment of your deposit. Please refer to the information under Payment Methods.

Conditions for Fee Refunds
No refunds will be given for last minute cancellations (within 2 working days before the delivery/pick up date)

Payment Methods

* Cash

OR

You can use Interbank or Telex Transfer to facilitate payment of your deposit. The steps are as follows:

Interbank Transfer/Telex Transfer:
1. You can place your deposit with either POSB Savings Account or DBS Savings Account

2. Please email us for our account numbers

3. Key in your name and date of your delivery

4. Enter the amount to be transferred

5. Copy and paste the Transaction Details (name, transaction number, date and amount) from your bank account into an email and send it to us.

Please note that you must bear all bank charges related to the transfer and the nett amount we receive (after deducting charges, if any) must be the full amount due.

DO NOT use the ATM to do a bank transfer since we cannot trace your name. Allow at least 3 working days for your payment to be transferred to us. We will contact you once we receive your payment. If you do not hear from us by the 5th day, please email us.

Unidentified payments will not be accepted and we cannot refund such payments as the bank is unable to identify the payee.

Product Care

How do you store a cake that has been iced with buttercream?
Depending on your room temperature, you can leave the cake (in a closed cake box) in room temperature for about a day.

This of course depends on the cake itself – for instance, cheesecake must be refrigerated. Butter cakes can stay fresh, if refrigerated, for up to 3 days.

They must be taken out of the refrigerator about 6 hours before serving, otherwise the texture will be hard and dense.

Buttercream or Chocolate Ganached Frosted Cakes
Cakes can be chilled or stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place. remove from refrigerator at least 20 minutes before eating.

Mascarpone / Cream Cheese / Fresh Whipped Cream Frosted Cakes
Cakes should be chilled and removed from fridge at least 20 minutes before eating.

Fondant/Marzipan Topped Cakes and Sugarpaste/Gumpaste Decorations
No refrigeration. Cakes should be stored in an air-conditioned or a cool and dry room. Cakes should be stored in an air-conditioned room if the weather turns wet and humid.

Learn the Baking Language

That orange mousseline paired with white genoise and topped with alabaster fondant and miniature lilies sounds beautiful, but what exactly is it? Like all specialists, bakers have their own vocabulary, and knowing their language makes it easier to communicate.

Fondant: An ultrasmooth sugar icing that seamlessly drapes a cake. Its matte finish is an ideal canvas for appliques, royal-icing brocade work, or sugar flowers.

Buttercream: A buttery soft icing or filling that can be blended with anything from apricot puree to burnt caramel. Like fondant, it can be tinted to match your colour scheme.

Genoise: A moist European sponge cake, less sweet than the American version. Usually flavoured with syrup, this cake works best with a light filling and icing, such as whipped cream.

Ganache: A rich frosting or filling, created by the Swiss, that combines chocolate and heavy cream. Ganaches don't usually hold up well in humid weather.

Mouselline: An icing or filling enriched with whipped cream for a light, smooth texture. You could have a mousseline buttercream, for instance, flavouredwith chocolate or fruit.

Marzipan: A paste made of ground almonds, used for edible cake decorations in such shapes as flowers or fruit. Some bakers use a thin layer of marzipan as a filling or to cover a cake.

Creme Anglaise: A smooth custard, sometimes placed under slices of cake. It can be flavoured with Grand Marnier, chocolate, or pistachios, giving it a beautiful pale-green hue.

*Adapted from Martha Stewart Weddings