Sugar artist Lee Guan-ying has won top international awards for her edible creations.
Lee Guan-ying (李冠瑩) is an internationally recognized sugar artist. The 31-year-old has earned top global awards for her intricately decorated cakes and cookies. But until five years ago, making sweet delights was not part of her career plan.
After graduating from the Department of Visual Communication Design at Jinwen University of Science and Technology in New Taipei City, Lee worked as a storyboard artist for an animation company for several years. Having trouble coping with the long and irregular working hours, she decided to quit and focus on turning her hobby of sugar art into her profession.
In 2014, Lee opened the workshop Le Petit Bonheur in New Taipei’s Sanchong District. Before long, word spread about her chic treats and Le Petit Bonheur began receiving queries from people interested in learning the art. Unsure about whether she was good enough to teach students, Lee opted to test her skills by taking part in the 2016 Cake International, the largest global competition of its kind, which is held annually in the U.K.
Lee’s entry Tongluo Mazu Temple was inspired by a place of worship in northern Taiwan’s Miaoli County. It won a gold medal in the International Class as well as the International Best in Show award. The following year, her Mucha Royal Icing Cake, comprising depictions of works by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha, won gold in the Small Decorative Exhibit category.
Sugar art is a delicate business, and unfortunately both pieces suffered some damage when they were shipped back to Taiwan. Still, Lee achieved her primary purpose for participating in the competition. In a recent class, she was full of confidence as she instructed students in putting the finishing touches on their wealth god temple cakes.
—by Jim Hwang
The food-grade accessories used to make decorated cakes and cookies are mostly imported.
Lee makes custom cookies and cakes of all shapes, sizes and styles.
Custom orders for special occasions account for a large proportion of the business for Lee’s workshop Le Petit Bonheur.
Elements of her award-winning 2017 piece Mucha Royal Icing Cake
Lee offers guidance to her students as they complete their wealth god temple cakes.