REMEMBERING SYLVIA WEINSTOCK -Friends share their memories of THE QUEEN OF CAKES
A tribute to Sylvia Weinstock, our beloved iconic cake baker, friend and inspiration to many in the wedding industry, who passed on November 22, 2021…heartfelt memories from her peers.
ANNE BARGE
Reflections on Sylvia Weinstock - My Most Beloved Friend
She came into my life in the 1980's when I owned a retail bridal salon in Atlanta. There was never a moment that she didn't have good advice and support for my career and personal life. Later, in 1999, when I opened the design house of Anne Barge, Sylvia positioned herself at the NY showroom entry door to personally greet each buyer, to sing my praises, feed them cake and convince them to buy my line! From then on, she was with me at every bridal market fashion show as my loyal cheerleader.
And there was her masterful play as Cupid, taking full credit for my future husband, Terry asking me to marry him. After meeting Terry, she advised me that I needed to marry him because he was just like her Ben. I confided that I would have married him fourteen years before, but he had never asked! She looked at me and simply said, "leave it to me!" And, sure enough, one year later in 1993, we were married. She lovingly sent us a beautiful SW wedding cake. I treasure those handmade sugar flowers from our cake - they are still with me. Terry always said that not only were Sylvia's cakes beautiful, they were so durable!
Over the years, Sylvia and I became the closest of friends - celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in New York was a ritual, not to mention frequent visits there and in Atlanta. Sylvia was never at a loss for words or opinions especially on bridal trends she disliked such as mermaids and looks she felt were just too sexy.
Her talent was as immense as her care and genuine concern for everyone she met. Every conversation with Sylvia included heartfelt questions about the other person's well-being because she genuinely cared about their well-being and happiness. Sylvia believed everyone deserved the same level of respect and she frequently offered advice whether requested or not.
She was a major force in every aspect of my life, and I will so miss our weekly calls. To Sylvia, I was "Annie", and I will forever cherish our friendship and the profound impact she made on my life. I strive to live by her example, and I will cherish the memories of her loving counsel and influence on me forever.
REEM ACRA
Sylvia was a pioneer in her field.
A self-made woman who managed to succeed in both her personal life and professional life.
She brought us all together as one big family. She will be greatly missed.
She has joined her love and her best supporter our beloved Ben her husband of a lifetime.
I will miss you Sylvia
MILLIE MARTINI BRATTEN
My fondest memories of Sylvia are of time spent on the roof of her home in Tribeca talking about the highs and lows of life, love, family and on rare occasions business. Sylvia built a thriving business the old-fashioned way: one slice at a time
RON BEN ISRAEL - Sylvia was a force to reckon with!
She established a unique style and identity, way before we used words like “Brand” or “Influencer”.
We owe her a debt of gratitude, as she paved the way to all the cake designers that followed her sweet icing trail.
MARCY BLUM
It's easy to say she was an icon or a legend, but she was a hilariously funny and often bawdy feminist and activist.
She was fierce about her friends, always asking each of us if we were making money, loudly and unerringly denouncing some of the shady business dealings in wedding world- commissions or " kickbacks " as she called them, were on the top of her list of things she wouldn't tolerate. The others were mean or bargain hunting customers, Trump Republicans, and people who were full of themselves.
She had an unerring sense of style, and we would often show each other our vintage jewelry finds. She adored her daughters and her grandchildren and, would brag about them whenever they accomplished something that wowed her, which they often did.
Although we knew each other for over 25 years, we became quite close in the last ten and I often asked her for advice, which i was always grateful to get. I will miss our times together very much.
MARIA MCBRIDE
Remembering Sylvia…Exquisite cakes bursting with delicate glorious sugar flowers became Sylvia’s signature, but her superpower was a talent for engineering towering tiers that were architectural marvels. Sylvia became an iconic figure because she delivered grandly, she knew a perfect confection could steal the show and she loved proving it to be true. Sylvia was a petite dynamo who dazzled all who beat a path to her studio. Demanding masters of the universe, glittery A-list celebrities and of course legions of lesser known brides and grooms who all wanted to boast the same thing: Sylvia Weinstock made my wedding cake !
MARK INGRAM
"Sylvia Weinstock was simply 'an extraordinary person' ! I had the good fortune to call her a dear friend, and I have the most precious moments and fun times to keep with me as memories for always. She was not only an industry icon....but it is important to note... that Sylvia, along with a small handful of bridal industry talents in the late 80's and early 90's, elevated our industry to new heights in terms of style and taste and worldwide recognition. There was no one like her. She will be dearly missed, but what is left is a tremendous legacy."
DONNA FERRARI
As if sitting down with Sylvia to plan your celebration cake wasn’t special enough the even sweeter takeaway was the joy of time spent with such a wise, witty and insightful woman — Sylvia was in a class by itself.
JONATHAN SCHEER
Sylvia. A force of nature. As I recall we met some dozen or so years ago backstage at one of her dearest friend Anne Barge's bridal market fashion shows. And from then on, we were fast friends. Whenever we'd meet for lunch, or dinner or a gathering we'd talk about everything but business. Family, health, books, art, life. We'd attend industry events together. Fashion shows at bridal market, parties and after parties. I'd be her escort and she'd be mine. She loved to travel and rarely turned down an invitation. She once cajoled me into joining her for an industry event and during the middle of that conference somewhere high up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, she turned to me abruptly and just said "time to go". And so we left and flew home. That was so Sylvia. She had little patience for blather or pretenders. Her irreverence was legendary. And she loved to cook. Delicious, marvelous dinners. We'd sit around her dining room table for hours. Ben would take it all in and smile, listening as Sylvia would hold court. He was truly the love of her life. We were of like mind on so many things and I so much enjoyed her company. I am so grateful for her generosity towards me and for having known her. Sylvia Weinstock. Sui generis. My heart is broken, and I will miss her deeply. May her memory be a blessing.
PRESTON R BAILEY - She was my mentor.
5 lessons that I learned from Sylvia.
1. Regardless of how famous you are, "pick up your damn phone yourself” she’ll say, no need for a person to screen your calls. Ok I am still guilty of this.
2. Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers. She met many interesting friends while flying. Very good advice, I have always thought New Yorkers to be very snooty and distant until you talk to them first.
3. A half glass of vodka a day, is a good way to keep the Doctors away. Even though I don’t drink, it certainly worked for her.
4. She taught me the importance of creating and embracing a signature personal look. Anyone that saw those large round glasses, would immediately think of Sylvia. My signature look is my lazy left eye, a result of my bells palsy back in 1991. At first I felt disfigured, but I can still hear Sylvia’s word “get over yourself, that is just part of who you are"
5. The most valuable lessen she taught me, was that you are never too old to do what you love. She worked until her late eighties, always creating work that was uniquely different than others.
It took me a few days to acknowledge her death, because in a way It still has not sunk in. I still keep expecting that morning call “Preston, what’s happening with you" Rest, my dear friend.
DARCY MILLER & SYLVIA VISITING DURING WEDDING WEEKEND ON MADISON AVENUE
BRIDGITTE PAULICK
The sad news of the passing of Sylvia Weinstock, hit me hard.
I will never forget the first time she visited us in our Palm Beach location in 1981. I was only 4 years old and was especially thrilled when she would stop by and just drop of some of her amazing frosting to me. Over the years she became not a client but a true friend. 40 years later we still smiled about my frosting addiction as a child. Her creative soul, her widely open mind and her fine sense for fashion and accessories was and will ever be very unique. She was truly aesthetic. Whenever Sylvia was in the neighborhood -no matter in New York City or Palm Beach- she always made sure to come by and to say ‘hi. The conversations we had over the years and her outstanding cake creations were a pure inspiration on so many levels. The Queen of Cakes did not only make our glasses her signature look, she even choose them for her company logo. A true icon, forward thinker, and the most wonderful close friend of Friedrich’s Optik has left us. Sylvia, you will be missed!
RACHEL LEONARD