A cake stand is a type of tableware used for serving cake and other pastries, or a type of kitchen equipment used for holding cakes while they are decorated. The most common form is a plate on a pedestal; sometimes there are multiple plates in a tower. While most commonly made of ceramic, but may also be made of metal, glass, ceramic, and so on.
Design
There are different functional and artistic designs for cake stands. There are many patents on the design of cake stands.
Structure
A cake stand is a multi-layered or single layered stool-like hosting object. Usually with a supporting spin in the middle, parallel plates, and plates arranged by size with the largest plate at the bottom. The plates are usually circular. The plates are connected to the posts with a mechanical fastener. The shape and size of the posts vary based on design. For wedding cake stands, the design is usually multi-layered and tall. The top layer is the smallest, usually with a decoration on the top of the cake stand. The plates may be supported by one centred post sharing the same core, or there could be multiple posts with dislocated centre structure to provide the visual multi-structured effect. The multiple tier centre stand includes a centre support that has multiple tiers, and multiple plates and posts which are connected together by mechanical fastener. In some designs the lower deck of the cake stand, at least two of the plates, can be disassembled into two pieces.
Components
A cake stand is typified by the composing of
a plurality of plates
a plurality of posts
mechanical fastener
a base or supporting plate
(for decorating cake stand) movable dolly
The design of cake stand has evolved with the process of cake making. The disassemblable cake stand can be taken apart for storage or transport.
Materials
Cake stands can be made from different materials. It is most commonly made of plastic and metal. Wood, glass and Resin are also used commonly in cake stands.
Variants
There are two types of cake stands, one is for displaying a finished cake, the other is for decorating a cake.
Displaying cake stand:
The displaying cake stand raises the cake or pastry to make it more visually appealing. The cake stand can serve as a centerpiece. The cake stand also provides more table space for dinnerware by elevating the cake into a higher dimension.
Decorator cake stand:
The decorator cake stand aids in the process of cake decoration. It is usually composed of the work surface and a turnable dolly. A cake decorator rotates the plate while adding icing or other decoration to the cake.
Functions and usage
The two types of cake stands have different functions. The displaying cake stand for the finished product of cake or other pastries whilst the decorator cake stand is the tool to aid working in the process of making cake.
Displaying cake stand
Tall cake stand
One type of displaying cake stand is a tall tiered cake stand. The tall cake stand is primarily used at large events with many people. Tall cake stands of different heights and shapes add drama and interest in the visual presentation of food. Food displayed on the tall cake stands contains not only cakes but also small finger food and other small pasties usually in strong contrasting colour to add interest in the presentation of food.
Covered cake stand:
The covered cake stand has a cover for the preservation of food.
Decorator cake stand
The function of the decorator cake stand is for the aiding of the decoration of cake. The decoration cake stand enables decorator to access all surfaces of the cake or other products being worked upon at a single work position.