Divorce cakes help sweeten and conclude a marriage

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — On a typical Saturday, Elite Cake Creations delivers 18 wedding cakes from Miami to Palm Beach, Fla. But it recently added a novelty to its traditional line: divorce cakes.

No milestone should go unnoticed — even divorces, said Beatriz Otero, who co-owns the Pembroke Pines, Fla., bakery with her brother, Jorge Garcia.

Divorce cakes look and taste like wedding cakes, but the cake-top depicts scenes of domestic discord, not bliss. Among them a heart-shaped cake broken in pieces features a groom standing on one piece, the bride on another; . a man sits dejected on a curb and . a cemetery of broken marriages is marked by tiny tombstones, an open casket bears a ring.

It's about looking at life with a wider lens, said Otero.

Recently divorced Tony Farina of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had purchased cakes from Elite before. On a recent visit, he was in the market for closure. He's getting a cake for himself and two friends also recently divorced. They'll get all their buddies together and — eat cake.

Farina perused the mini-dramas played out atop a carpet of chiffon icing and fluff, but left the final choice to the shop.

"I completely trust Beatriz," Farina said about picking out a divorce-themed cake. "She'll come up with something we like, she always does."

To debut the divorce cakes, Otero created a sidewalk reception and trade show in front of her shop. She spent about $1,500 for marketing materials, invitations and fliers, samples and displays.

She invited people she knew were divorced — some had even purchased wedding cakes from her. Party planners brought clients. A linen supplier, DJ and photographer came.

Wedding cakes lined the walk. Another newly launched product: Cake Bites, were displayed.

But the spotlight was on the crushed dreams of brides and grooms.

The 2002 U.S. Census Bureau reported about 50 percent of marriages end in divorce nationwide. Though that figure has remained fairly steady, there has been a drop off.

Stenovia Curry of Enchantment Event Planning Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has planned about eight divorce parties since she opened her business five years ago. But until she met Otero at a bridal show recently, she ordered generic cakes. Partnering with Otero, she anticipates an increase in business. "It's very hard to find a flexible baker," said Curry. Typically, bakers have books of pre-designed cakes for clients to view, she said.

Elite's premium cakes that serve 100 guests begin at about $350.

Not everyone is ready to celebrate their divorce right away — if ever, said Otero.

Healing from her own divorce about five years ago was a long, painful process, Otero said. "In no way are we encouraging or being flippant about a serious situation," she said. "On the other hand, when people looking for closure are ready to move on, we can help them celebrate that."

(c) 2009, Sun Sentinel.