Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Hi all
Not a cake question but was wondering if anyone is thinking of going to the exhibition? Iv never been before but have visited their shop which was lovely!

Yes, as an enthusiastic, novice cake maker I attended last year and really enjoyed it, so much to see … and admire. The venue (Maltings) covers quite a large area and you need to plan your day using the displayed location boards to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Workshops are available (if you pay in advance) but there are plenty of open stands also displaying and demonstrating. Recommend you try that for starters. I enjoyed it so much I bought tickets for both Friday and Saturday this year. Enjoy!!

Hi Charlyangel
Thanks for the imfo. Every year I say ill go to look around but something has always come up. This year im determined to go lol. I understand Paul will be there this year too? Looking forward to seeing all the cakes on display and the tutors there

I’d love to have gone but since I’m going to the London show both can’t be done. Have a great time JustJennys Cakes. Paul is doing the designer shoe with Squires Kitchen, the demo has already sold out!

Hi MIWL
I wont get to see Pauls demo this time, such a shame. But I cant wait to see the many cakes on display for a spot of inspiration. Still struggling with ideas for my daughters wedding cake although I have plenty of time to come up with something. Was going to adapt the carousel cake but she wasn keen on the idea, so back to the drawing board lol

I’ve got a similar headache with a young friend of mine. She’s getting married the first week September and she can’t decide on the cake. I did the carousel for the christening of her baby at the beginning of the month. I felt that would have been more appropriate for the wedding. I have three big celebrations cakes at the end of August. One of them is a realistic standing horse with rider and I haven’t a clue where to start. I make them for friends and relations and they all leave the planning to me!! No help forthcoming, not even to roll out a bit of sugarpaste. Could you not come to the London show to get some inspiration?
As for Paul’s demos, they sell out like grease lightening. I think it’s a case of fastest finger! I hope you can tempt your daughter with one of the tutorial designs, it would make your life so much easier and of course there’s so much to choose from. I have a feeling my little friend will eventually go with the Gothic vintage in pink and gold, oh I really hope so!

Hi MIWL
Do you know I think you may be right. The London show may be the better option for inspiration purposes at least. I haven yet looked it up so don’t know when the dates are? Maybe if my daughter isn working I can get her to come along for ideas. The thing is when she was a little girl she loved Thomas the tank engine and amazingly still does although she doesn like the newer version, preferring the series that ran when she was small. I have racked my brains trying to come up with something suitable but nothing seems to fit with a wedding. Iv now come up with a compromise. As the wedding is taking place in a small hotel and then moving on in the evening to another location, my thoughts were that they could have a more traditional cake at the hotel which could be consumed as a desert and then for the evening reception could have a novelty cake with her beloved steam engine depicted on it. That way everyones happy. Her fiancé did like the white chocolate shard cake on this site, so that could be an option for the hotel but if they come to the show they may be inspired by another cake on display. The date has been moved back for a few months now so we do have some time to think about it. My membership will have run out by then but I hope to pop in and out ocassionally as this site has proved invaluable for imformation and help and id like to continue really.
A standing horse and rider mmmm….. difficult one. I think id be looking at some kind of wooden platform for the main body and legs and build up the cake from there, maybe using the krispie treats for the shape of the head and legs. I think theres a spray you can buy to make the wood food safe but not sure where I heard about it, other than that maybe covering it in food safe material. Didn’t Paul do something similar for his Highland cow? Anyway good luck with it, I hope it turns out ok for you.
The Gothic vintage cake is beautiful, just wish my daughter would go for it as im itching to try cake lace!
So ill have a look at getting tickets for the London show now. Maybe we could meet up for tea and a slice of cake lol

If you look on the ‘how to cook that’ site, Ann Reardon has a Thomas Tank tutorial, it’s quite detailed especially the face. I’ve had a look at the highland cow tutorial and also found a sort of picture tutorial online for a horse and hay, bit hard to follow. I’ll probably use the highland cow as guide, if the worst comes to the worst I’ll just make a topper. Locally we have a lady who teaches sculpting in clay, I’m hoping she’ll help me with some tips.
Meeting up for coffee would be great, leave out the cake though. Paul and David will be there, here are the dates
http://www.cakeflix.com/cakedecoratingcourses Just scroll down to April.
Hubby and I will be there for the three days, my step-daughter lives nearby so we get to spend some time with her.
Good luck with your search!

yes no cake as im cutting down on the sweet stuff, don’t know what I was thinking, old habits I suppose lol. Ill have a look at the tutorial you mentioned thankyou. and hope to see you for that cup of tea x