OCC Culinary Students in Farmington Hills Top Off Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Culinary students and instructors at Oakland Community College's Orchard Ridge campus in Farmington Hills gave a sweet treat to six couples celebrating vow renewal ceremonies in late June. 

Students in a wedding cake design class at the college’s Culinary Studies Institute spent their last week of class crafting hand-made gum paste roses and fondant daisies that were part of decorative cake toppers for six couples, several of whom celebrated more than 60 years together. 

The couples live at The Park At Trowbridge, a Southfield retirement community operated by Brookdale Senior Living, which hosted festivities that included bachelor and bachelorette parties, couples’ showers, a rehearsal dinner, a vow renewal ceremony and reception.

Lois Hennessey, an instructor in the cake design class, said she was tickled to receive the request for cakes, as her own parents just celebrated 60 years of marriage.

“When we got the call, I thought ‘What are the chances?’," she said. “This celebration is so near and dear to my heart.” 

The class donated six cake toppers decorated with plaques bearing each couple’s name, as well as a 100-piece cake to be enjoyed by friends, family and residents. The five-week class ended in early June. Instructors froze the cake parts they could make ahead of time, and students and instructors who could stick around assembled the cakes.

In addition to the sugary flowers, the class used decorative jewels on the toppers, in keeping with the "diamonds" anniversary theme, and glued them with piping gel. 

“The toppers are keepsakes and not to be eaten,” said class instructor Michaelle Stidham. The edible cake portion was raspberry and chocolate with butter cream frosting, she added.

“It is really special that a senior living retirement community has that many residents celebrating 60 years plus around the same time,” Stidham said. “The students thought it was pretty cool.”

“We do these kinds of services and other charity events in our community but we thought this was extra special,” said Program Coordinator Chef Susan M. Baier, who helped coordinate the event for the senior living retirement community residents.

Michael MacDonnell, Executive Director at The Park At Trowbridge, said the staff was excited to host such a meaningful event for residents.

"It is our hope that this event will give hope, spread joy and help others to remember their marriages with fondness," he said.

Source: Oakland Community College press release