October 27, 2010, Updated September 13, 2012

Judith Zer-Aviv didn’t let the recession get her down – she took a pastry course, and became an award-winning pastry chef with a penchant for marzipan.

When Judith Zer-Aviv’s career in marketing and advertising took a dive, the Israel Employment Bureau sent her to a pastry-making course. A year later, she tells ISRAEL21c, she offered her services to restaurants and cafes, only to be turned down with pitying, head-shaking responses.

Marzipan hat and handbag

Judith Zer-Aviv’s marzipan hat and handbag modeled by an Italian beauty queen.

Undeterred, she continued her studies in Germany and England and upon returning to Israel, entered her first marzipan contest with a humorous take on Daniel in the lion’s den. She won first prize. Next the team of Israeli chefs of which she was a member won a gold medal in Moscow.

Pastry chef Judith Zer-AvivTikotin Japanese art museum in Haifa

“There’s no such thing as too old,” Judith Zer-Aviv begins her second career in pastry.

Earlier this year, Zer-Aviv was invited with eight other European pastry chefs to Rimini, Italy to participate in the ‘Delicious and Famous Show,’ where each one sculpted wearable, edible accessories based on the creations of Italian fashion designers.

“Don’t be afraid. Do it. There’s no such thing as too old,” she asserts.

Her exquisite, mouthwatering, humorous creations are a click away in this ISRAEL21c video.

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