Serena Trujillo, 17 and Cristian Lamas, 17, are the leaders of the Nevada Day cake senior project.
A birthday isn’t a birthday without a cake, especially when it comes to celebrating Nevada.
That’s why Carson High School culinary seniors are working hard to create a design and flavor to honor Nevada State Museum’s 75th birthday, in conjunction with Nevada’s statehood.
“It’s a great opportunity for our class,” said Serena Trujillo, 17. “To be a part of this celebration puts us out there.”
Although students are assembling the cake, they’re expected to prepare it the day of the celebration — Friday, Oct. 28. The flavors are going to be chocolate-vanilla mix. The design, made of frosting, is a floral vector frame design surrounding number 75.
In partnership with the museum, the topping of the cake will be a 3-D printed replica of a Nevada minted coin.
The biggest challenge students face is the cake’s structure. It will be baked on half sheets to support balance as the tier will prop the topping.
“We have a basis of what we can and cannot do,” said Christian Lamas, 17. “We’re a close group and work well together, and that’s what makes this project easy.”
The cake is going to take a village, said CHS culinary instructor Kasey Kemmet. The size of the cake is expected to be four- by seven-feet.
Kemmet worked in hospitals and health care industries, managing kitchens and menus.
“It’s my first year teaching,” she said. “It’s intimidating but exciting to be doing this.”
The project costs $300 overall, including ingredients and supplies. But during culinary classes and at home, students are putting their baking skills to the test as homework.
“In order to mix the flavors, I’m testing out my cocoa recipe,” Trujillo said. “Watching my parents bake and cook is also a way for me to study.”
“I’ve been into novelty cakes since I was a kid,” Lamas said. “This is my chance to test and trial — baking is my art.”
The 75th anniversary of the Nevada State Museum is from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Oct. 28.