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An Unusual Cake Request at Illinois

recent ribbon-cutting ceremony
A celebrated the arrival of the new 3T
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) ma-
chine at the University of Illinois Veterinary
Teaching Hospital. This MRI is not only
one of the best in the world, but it is also
one of the fastest and strongest for animals.
For the celebration, Ashley Mitek,
instructor at the Companion Animal
Extension Veterinarian Office of Public
Engagement, ordered a custom designed
cake to be given an MRI.
To perform an MRI on the cake, it eye in the form of a red grape. There was Although it was definitely an unusual
had to be made with embedded items that even a Milk Bone inserted to represent request, their biggest challenge was cut-
could only be seen when viewed through the dog’s bones. ting the cake to the correct shape so it
the machine. Mitek explained, “Giving the The specialty-designed cake ended resembled a dog.
cake an MRI is a great way to demonstrate up being roughly a foot and a half long Because the dachshund cake was put
how the machine can identify the different – similar to the size of a real dog. through an MRI, a second sheet cake was
water densities of materials, such as the University Dining Pastry Chef Curtis brought out to safely feed the guests in
cake, icing and various fruits.” Nesler and Assistant Pastry Chef Sheila attendance. The Veterinary Teaching Hos-
The same technology will be used on Albers were in charge of constructing and pital is excited to move forward with its
animals as a diagnostic test. designing this unique confection. “This new MRI, and the ribbon-cutting cer-
Although unusual, performing an MRI cake was exciting for us to make because emony with the custom cake was the best
on a cake has been done before at the it represented a challenge,” said Albers. way to celebrate the continuation of the
Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The inven- “It’s not something we typically do, so it hospital’s advancements in technology
tor of the MRI, Paul C. Lauterbur, was was exciting to see it coming together.” and leading research.
a part of the faculty for more than 20
years. On his 70th birthday, the staff SHOW SCHEDULE
celebrated with a birthday cake that
also had hidden slices of fruit that could MAY 20 – 23 JUNE 4 – 9
be seen through an MRI.
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National Confectioners Association
JUNE 12 – 15
JUNE 4 – 6
NACC ANNUAL CONFERENCE
DAIRY·DELI·BAKE 2016 University of North Texas
The unique cake for the event was Anaheim Convention Center Denton, Texas
designed to look like a dachshund. Anaheim, Calif. 206-440-9203
They are one of the most common dog www.iddba.org www.nacc-online.org
breeds to undergo MRI testing because International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association National Association of Collegiate
of their predisposition to spinal disease. Concessionaires
Constructing with layers of cake and JUNE 4 – 6 JUNE 17 – 20
buttercream, the pastry chefs inserted NACAS WEST REGIONAL CONFERENCE
‘surprises’ that were only visible with Embassy Suites Hotel ACUHO-I ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION
the MRI. Guests were excited to get a Brea, Calif. Providence, R.I.
glimpse of a heart made from an al- 434-245-8425 Rhode Island Convention Center
mond macaroon, the brain represented www.nacas.org 614-292-0099
by half of a key lime, the backbone National Association of College www.acuho-i.org/events/ace
made from baby carrots, and the dog’s Auxiliary Services Association of College and University
Housing Officers – International

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