CCChefMeg:  CCChefDol and CCChefPwd should be here soon for the cake chat.
Bridal1:  ChefMeg, they won't either one be here so I am going to wing it for them.
CCChefMeg:  OK Bride - good luck and you all be nice to her... running a chat isn't always easy...
CCChefMeg:  <lending Bride the AOL Big Spoon to keep order with>
Gigimama:  Hi everyone, where's Dolores and Earlene?
Bridal1:  Dolores is fishing and Earlene had a death in the family, so you are stuck with me trying to wing it so please help me out. Since I did not know i was doing this until late yesterday, I don't know any thing about for matting this like they do it.   So we will just comment and ask questions if you will help me out.
Icing Wiz:  and I will try to be the welcoming committee LOL
Bridal1:  Yes icing is going to help me, too.

JeepCIA:  i am doing one for sat and need some advice...anyone done wedding cakes here? I can cook, but baking is always interesting, especially this Martha Stewart wedding cake this lady wants me to do.
Bridal1:  jeep the next group all do wedding cakes - we're all cake decorators
JeepCIA:  anyone used fresh flowers as tiers between the cake? Anyone seen the spring Martha Stewart wedding cakes?
Gigimama:  Jeep, the one that looks like a big cone, roses stuffed between the tiers? There's a discussion on Dolores' message board about how to do that one, do you know how to get to it?
JeepCIA:  gigi..no...=)

CAROLYN PART:
Bridal1:  On smoothing cakes - there are several ways to do this. I have decorated for 35 years and used the hot knife method for years. Then I learned at ICES convention how to smooth with paper towels many years ago. That is my main way of doing it now. I even smooth with paper towels to get the look of fondant with buttercream

JWGPKG:  I just tried the paper towel trick last weekend.  NEAT!
Kidzcakez:  How long do you wait on the icing to crust, before using the paper towel on it?
Bridal1:  Anyone else tried any other ways of smoothing other than hot knifing or paper towels?
Chef Nana1:  doesn't paper towel leave little bumps?
Bigsislkb:  Bridal can you email me the details on this paper towel thing please?
Bridal1:  SURE BIGSIST, BUT JUST SEND ME E-MAIL PLEASE AND I WILL RESPOND
KBius:  What type of papertowel is best?
Bridal1:  With my icing i don't have to let it dry more than about 3 or 4 minutes.
Bigsislkb:  never heard of it
Chef Nana1:  I've used parchment paper
JWGPKG:  Sometimes you can use the bumps to your advantage, for texture.
Ising C:  i have tried using plastic wrap after the icing has set for about 20-30 min..not always good -humid weather..not good
LauraJMD:  I use only viva towels..
Bridal1:  DEPENDS ON KIND OF PAPER TOWELS.  I USE THE JOB SQUAD OR VIVA FOR
THE SMOOTH LOOK, THEN I USE THE HI-DRI TOWELS FOR A TEXTURED LOOK IF I AM DOING A
SPRAY OF FLOWERS
L2jlu2:  I use the blue paper towels that they sell in the car section.  They are smooth and they don't get greasy
Kidzcakez:  I have been using the ruler method.  Haven't tried the paper towels, though.
Ising C:  i usually use a pizza roller to smooth with
CarolA5238:  I've used doiley to get a lacey look.
KBius:  Why is paper towels better than parchment or wax?
Icing Wiz:  I've never used paper towels but i use pie dough cutter to do sides with one swoop
Bridal1:  I THINK IT IS JUST WHAT YOU GET USED TO
JWGPKG:  Pie dough cutter, Icing?
Bridal1:  SOME USE A FONDANT SMOOTHER, BUT I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT
Icing Wiz:  yes, I place my hand in the same spot on the turntable with the pie dough cutter in the othe
Icing Wiz:  other hand an with one quick motion I have a perfectly smooth cake
Bridal1:  WE ALL HAVE TO DEVELOP WHAT WORKS BEST AND FASTEST FOR US
JWGPKG:  I'm not sure what a pie dough cutter is.
Bigsislkb:  I used to have all the cake decorating tips and bags and stuff but my dad gave them all away
after I moved out. Never forgave him for that!
Bridal1:  I NEVER LEARNED TO USE A METAL SPATULA,  BUT SOME SWEAR BY IT
CarolA5238:  I've used a piece of wet sponge to get a textured look.
KBius:  what do you use to smooth on the icing, Bridal?
Kidzcakez:  I tried the sponge and created a mess.
Bridal1:  I've even heard of some using Kleenex, but I would think that would be thin. I use an old fashioned table knife
JWGPKG:  I would be afraid Kleenex would leave lint on the cake.
Bigsislkb:  WOW this is great I have never done any of this. Think I will try though!
EJ546:  Some people use Viva paper towels
Bridal1:  THAT'S HOW I LEARNED AS A KID AND COULDN'T LEARN TO USE THAT SPATULA ANY MORE IDEAS ON THE SMOOTHING OF A CAKE
Gigimama:  Not any more than paper towels
Bridal1:  THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR = NEW IDEAS!
JWGPKG:  I keep looking at the fondant smoothers, but $$$ for a piece of plastic.
Bridal1:  NO MATTER HOW LONG WE'VE DECORATED, WE CAN LEARN SOMETHING FROM OTHERS
Icing Wiz:  :Pie cutter around $3
Bridal1:  I THINK FONDANT SMOOTHERS ARE ABOUT $9 JWG
JWGPKG:  Good price - they're $12 here.
Bridal1:  THEY WOULD LAST FOREVER.
Bridal1:  WELL EVEN $12 WOULDN'T BE THAT BAD IF YOU USE IT DAILY
JWGPKG:  That's true, and there seems to be no end to my interest in cake decorating!
Chef Nana1:  me too
Bridal1:  AND IT WOULD LAST YEARS
Icing Wiz:  Maybe you should see if they need any in Ocala
Ising C:  has any one used a pizza roller to smooth icing?
KBius:  a pie cutter and pizza roller are new to me
Bridal1:  I'VE HEARD OF THE PIZZA ROLLER, BUT NEVER TRIED IT.
TheMayor5:  no how do you do that?
Ising C:  it is like a rolling pin with a handle...just roll it over the icing after it has set for a  few minutes
Bridal1:  TOPIC IS SMOOTHING ICING ON CAKES AND THEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT WHAT TO CHARGE FOR CAKES
Ising C:  the pizza roller is only about 4 inches wide, great for the sides
Bridal1:  WELL, SORTA - DOL AND EARLENE ARE BOTH OUT AND ASKED ME TO TAKE CHARGE WITH DIANE SHAVKIN, BUT DIANE IS SICK SO HERE YOU ARE STUCK WITH ME
JWGPKG:  Pampered Chef sells a pizza roller like Ising's talking about.
NOTE: Sugarcraft carries many of Pampered Chef's products at a greatly reduced price. Check our online catalog.
Icing Wiz:  I'll ask my coordinator if she knows who that is GiGi
Ising C:  the local cake shop sells them here
Ising C:  maybe check at letchers or some other kitchen specialty shop

Bridal1:  ICING WIZ IS THE WELCOME COMMITTEE!

Gigimama:  I've tried to get an application, but can't get the regional coordinator to return any of my phone calls or e-mails
Icing Wiz:  really, I bother my teacher coordinator almost every week and she always calls right back
Gigimama:  I've gotten so aggravated with them. I had applied before in another state this spring, and that one never processed my application, and would never tell me what was going on in Northern KY. I've got her name, two phone numbers, and e-mail address, but she never answers or responds to my messages
Icing Wiz:  That is awful GiGi

Bridal1:  SO SHALL WE TALK ABOUT WHAT TO CHARGE FOR CAKES.
I AM NEAR KANSAS CITY, BUT LIVE IN THE COUNTRY NEAR SMALL TOWNS SO
PEOPLE THINK I SHOULD BE CHEAPER AND I AM CHEAPER THAN MOST IN KANSAS CITY
ANYONE ELSE WITH THAT KIND OF PROBLEM?
EJ546:  what do you charge?
Icing Wiz:  I just won $50 gift certificate so many benefits
Gigimama:  I agree!  If I didn't need the money so badly right now, I'd say screw it!
Ising C:  pricing is so hard...different parts of country...types of cakes, etc
KBius:  type of clientel you have also
Kidzcakez:  I had the hardest time trying to decide what to charge.  Never enough for the time spent, th
EJ546:  I'm in NC....I charge $20 for my basic cake
Bridal1:  I DO LOTS OF SHEET CAKES - 9 X 13, I CHARGE $18 FOR UNLESS IT IS A 1/2 AND 1/2
Ising C:  most wedding cakes go for $1 to 2 serving in charleston, wv
KBius:  Indiana is $1 to 2
Bridal1:  FOR WEDDING CAKES, I CHARGE BY THE SERVING AND GET $1.50 FOR MOST OF THEM
EJ546:  NC  $1.50-2.00 and higher if carrot, red velvet etc
Ising C:  sheet cakes go $15 and up....depending on amount of work and size
Bridal1:  SOME IN KANSAS CITY GET AS MUCH AS $3 FOR BUTTERCREAM CAKES
Kidzcakez:  What would you charge for a 2 layer 12x12 with basketweave and a few royal flowers?
Bridal1:  I DON'T DO MUCH IN FONDANT SO MOST OF MINE IS BUTTERCREAM.
Bridal1:  PROBABLY CHARGE ABOUT $50 KIDZ
KBius:  does anyone have customers that really like fondant?
Ising C:  $40-50
EJ546:  no KB
Bridal1:  NO, I DON'T KB - MOST OF MINE WANT FONDANT LOOK, BUT NOT THE TASTE OR PRICE
Icing Wiz:  My husband just peels it off the cake
Ising C:  most of my customers don't like the price of fondant
JWGPKG:  I made a fondant for family; said don't bother doing again. Don't like taste.
EJ546:  all of my customers want buttercream
EJ546:  I want to learn to do rolled buttercream
Bridal1:  YES, MY CUSTOMERS ARE STRICTLY BUTTERCREAM PEOPLE
JWGPKG:  Rolled buttercream is better.
KBius:  yes ej, me too, any advice anyone
Chef Nana1:  can fondant be flavored & w/what?
Ising C:  some say to add flavoring to it, but i've never tried
Bridal1:  YES FONDANT CAN BE FLAVORED
EJ546:  last week they said to use the oils to flavor rolled fonant
EJ546:  fondant
Icing Wiz:  they have all kinds of flavored oils
Icing Wiz:  I love hazelnut
Chef Nana1:  what  is rolled bettercream?
Bridal1:  KB IS ASKING FOR ADVICE ON ROLLED BUTTERCREAM.
Kidzcakez:  I've read from these chats that hazelnut, lemon or orange oils are the best for fondant.
Bridal1:  CAN ANYONE HELP HER?
KBius:  please
Ising C:  marsha winbecker has a book on it
Gigimama:  I tired rolled buttercream; it tastes a little better, but not that much
Icing Wiz:  Karen is an expert with rolled buttercream
Ising C:  i'm going to look for it now
KBius:  does it taste better than fondant
Gigimama:  It is easy to make, but not as easy to work with as fondant
Bridal1:  KAREN, JUMP RIGHT IN
EJ546:  who is Karen?
Icing Wiz:  Karen/cakestamper
CarolA5238:  Ror wedding cakes I charge $1,25 - $2.00,  depending on what they want. Party cakes $15.-$50
Bridal1:  SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE ABOUT IN LINE WITH ME CAROL
Bridal1:  MY BASIC WEDDING CAKES ARE $1.50 THOUGH
Cakestmper:  Thanks Sheila, but not expert by any stretch of the imagination!
Bridal1:  DOES ANYONE CATER - LIKE THE CAKE, PUNCH, NUTS, MINTS,
TABLESKIRTING, ETC.?
CarolA5238:  Some of these people don't want to pay that either.
Icing Wiz:  Don't be so modest I saw that whale on mailbox news
KBius:  does anyone charge per roses? if the cake has alot of roes but not much other decorations
EJ546:  any advice Cake?
Ising C:  i work for a florist who does all that
Cakestmper:  I use Marsha Winbecklers recipe and instructions
KBius:  I cater bridal
Bridal1:  HOW DO YOU CHARGE FOR CATERING AND WHAT DO YOU DO?
Cakestmper:  Mix it and play with it, practice on something for family
TheMayor5:  I feel stupid in asking bout what is fondant?
Bridal1:  FONDANT IS ANOTHER FORM OF ICING MAYOR
JWGPKG:  No stupid questions here!
Bridal1:  IT IS ROLLED AND PUT ON THE CAKE.  ROLL
EJ546:  I do not charge per rose, but a bakery here in town
Bridal1:  ROLL OUT LIKE PIE DOUGH
KBius:  Cakestamper, do you have a favorite recipe?
Ising C:  i really don't know her prices, but she does the WHOLE wedding,
flowers, cake (by me), punch
JWGPKG:  Sorry, means no question is a stupid question.
EJ546:  charges $1.00 per royal icing rose
Ising C:  nuts, mints, table skirts, coordinates
Icing Wiz:  EJ I can't believe that roses only take seconds to make that is
ridiculous
Gigimama:  $1/rose?  That's a lot!
Bridal1:  WHEW, $1 FOR EACH ROYAL ROSE!!  WOW, BETTER GO INTO THAT BUSINESS
EJ546:  yes, I agress
Ising C:  prices varies from $800 and up and UP to what ever
C Kevin 10:  what do you guys use instead of eggs for making cakes?
KBius:  Gesh, 1.00 per rose, good money
EJ546:  said they have someone outside of bakery make them for them
Chef Nana1:  Mayor  you ought to hear some of the zingers I ask.
Icing Wiz:  Never made a cake without eggs
EJ546:  I had them price "angel Sing" wedding cake in Wilton Bridal cakes
Bridal1:  WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT TO CHARGE FOR CAKES AND CAKE RELATED THINGS
CarolA5238:  I cater and charge anywhere from $20. to whatever. and that's to just cut and serve cake.
Bridal1:  $20 TO CUT CAKE - I WOULDN'T GO FOR LESS THAN $50 FOR THAT JOB
Bridal1:  IT'S A LOT OF TIME CAROL
Gigimama:  I kind of like to be there to cut so I can here all the comments on the cake. But that's probably because I'm just getting started and need  my ego bolstered, LOL!
Bridal1:  WHEN I CATER, I ALWAYS DO THE CAKE CUTTING, BUT THAT IS INCLUDED IN
MY CATERING PRICE. I CHARGE $3.25 FOR CATERING WHICH INCLUDES THE CAKE, NUTS, MINTS,
PUNCH, TABLESKIRTING, PUNCH BOWL, ICE RING, ALL THE SERVING DISHES, CANDLES AND
CANDLELABRA, ETC. ALSO THE DISHES, CUPS, SILVER
KBius:  I charge an additional 1.00 per serving besides the cake
Cakestmper:  i use Marsha Winbeckler's recipe, it works
Chef Nana1:  I would love to do that one day, bridal
CarolA5238:  I really don't get many catering job, mostly just making and cutting cake,
KBius:  I don't do the cups and platesor napkins
Bridal1:  KB IS THAT TO CUT THE CAKE - $1 - THAT'S WHAT SOME HOTELS CHARGE
THE CUSTOMER WHEN THEY BRING IN THE CAKE
CarolA5238:  San Antonio is so big the caters out do me.
KBius:  No bridal, to stay and cut is additional 50.oo for 3 hours

Dee 0946:  I'm looking for a good place to take classes.  Does anyone know a place in Philly area?
Dee 0946:  Thanks for ignoring my question.  Nice people here.
Bridal1:  SORRY DEE, WHAT DID YOU ASK?
Cakestmper:  Dee, Wilton teachers should pick up your question soon. They gotta have AOL in Phillie
Cakestmper:  we're not ignoring you, trying to catch up with all the reading!
Bridal1:  IT IS SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND GET ANSWERS

TheMayor5:  does anyone have a good receipe for buttercream did i miss one?
Icing Wiz:  Mayor e mail me I will give you recipe

Bridal1:  DOES EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT THE CAKE MESSAGE BOARD THAT DOLORES HAS
PROVIDED US? DOES ANYONE HAVE DOLORES WEBSITE ADDRESS HANDY? I HAVE THE WEB MARKED IN FAVORITE PLACES BUT CAN'T RECALL IT OFF HAND.
Gigimama:  http://w3.one.net/~proicer/index.html