Many people are familiar with Olga Noskova’s work by now. She is the pastry artist whose incredible mirror glaze cakes took the internet by storm starting earlier this year.
Her creations, which seem other-worldy and impossible to create without the use of CGI, have garnered her worldwide fame and an ever increasing fan base — especially on Instagram where she has over 600,000 followers on her @olganoskovaa account.
Teens Wanna Know got the chance to know her better via an email interview. Here is Olga in her own words! (with a few grammar tweaks as English is not her native tongue)
1. Hi Olga, nice to e-meet you! Before we get started talking about cakes, please tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hey! My name is Olga Noskova. I’m a famous cake-blogger and pastry artist. I’m from Russia and live in the beautiful city of Ufa. I have a wonderful little son.
Do you know the English saying: “Water dripping day by day wears the hardest rock away?” Every day I tried to create something beautiful and lovely. And thanks to my unbelievable mirror and delicious cakes my popularity started to grow. The stars smiled at me. In my case, the first star who rated my talent is Britney Spears 🙂
The British Independent wrote my cake is “absolutely impeccable.” BuzzFeed called my work “absolutely flawless” and wrote that they are “too good to be eaten.”
One day I woke up famous in the world. My Instagram increased to 613K followers. I could not believe what had happened to me! Their comments, admiration, love – that’s what makes me understand that this is not a hobby and not a job. This is my life!
My business for me – it’s pure “art”. I am a pastry chef – an artist. I paint my works in the soul, and reproduce them in reality. I do not do the work [only] for sale. And I strive to make each of my next cake better than the previous. I guess what my subscribers want, feel them and create for them. It is an energy-intensive way. But this is my way. My opinion. My art.
2. How did you get started as a dessert maker?
I was an economist but I wanted to find [something] that would bring me pleasure every day. And I decided to learn to cook French Macaroon cookies, and this process took an eternity.
3. What is your personal favorite dessert to eat?
I can’t [pick] one favorite cake. Each cake is unique and has a special meaning for me. In each I put my love, tenderness, emotions and a part of myself. No cake is like the previous one: even if you use the same “paint,” you’ll still get a different cake. It’s like art, I do not copy, I create each time.
Now I’m keen on the creation of special cake for my lovely city. On October 11 in my homeland is a celebrated holiday – Republic Day. Therefore, I wanted to create something special, a “Bashcake”, into which i put all the love for my homeland. The cake combines three colors [representing the] tricolor flag of the Republic of Bashkortostan, as a symbol of freedom, openness and virtue. And, of course, the main symbol of the republic – Salavat Yulaev (for local citizens this hero means the same as William Wallace from the movie “Braveheart” for Scots).
I made it and listened to Bashkir national music: the combination of exciting kurai [Bashkortostan national flower] and a unique kobyz [Kazahk national instrument].
This cake is my Bashkortostan. I am very proud of my republic and want to tell the world about my wonderful Bashkortostan.
4. What is your favorite non-dessert dish to cook and eat?
I like fish so much and different seafood. Often I cook salmon steaks. Sometimes I love to pamper my family with Bashkir’s national food: dumplings, balish.
5. Who taught you how to make those amazing glazed cakes…was that your invention or did you have a mentor?
I started to learn from a variety of incredibly talented chefs, like a sponge; absorbing all their knowledge and experience.
But it wasn’t enough. I realized that to become a master I needed at some point to dare and make something of myself. I decided to do better than my predecessors. Began to create, to experiment.
6. How do you feel about other bakers who are copying your mirror glaze technique and putting similar pictures on Instagram?
I don’t pay attention to it. I have my own style, my secret mirror glaze. Making a copy is difficult even for me. Every cake is unique and unrepeatable. I don’t stop; I’m always looking for something new and perfect.
7. What advice would you give a teen who wants to start becoming a dessert maker like you?
Try, take risks, make mistakes and try again. Never give up and believe in your dreams!
And maybe start with something like this : ) – TWK Admin
8. What is the hardest part about the baking business?
The hardest part is: don’t eat all the cakes alone, and maintain a great figure 🙂
9. What is the biggest challenge you have had to overcome in your career, and how did you do it?
I do not like the word “problem”. All that occurs during the creation of cakes – is an experiment: with color, shape, decoration. It can be successful or not, but in any case it will benefit, it will be a lesson.
I try till I reach perfection. I am a perfectionist in everything. I am very demanding on myself and my creations
10. How can someone in the Unites States order one of your cakes?
Unfortunately, for now it is impossible but I’m looking for partners in the US. In the near future I will open my brand boutique in the largest mall in Dubai. If you will come to Dubai, come to my boutique and try any cake!
11. Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?
I believe in the power of the Universe. If you want something very much, you should ask the Universe, and the Universe will send it to you.
12. If you could travel back in time and give ONE piece of advice to yourself as a teenager, what would it be?
Don’t worry, you can do it!
13. What are you working on next?
I want cakes to not only be beautiful and delicious, but on par with the artists or musicians who are doing what they want — for people to admire cake as a work of art.
My dream is to hold an exhibition in conjunction with other works of modern art, such as the Piccadilly Circus in London, where I will present my best works, the most perfect of all. A place where people from all over the world can come see them.
For me it is important to not only take energy from the universe, I want to give it away, and I do it through my cakes. I want to share this with the entire world.
14. Could you please send us a selfie? It can be you with one of your cakes, or you just relaxing…whatever!
We look forward to seeing what amazing desserts Olga comes up with next. Make sure you follow her on Instagram at @olganoskovaa!