DOLORES' PART: "Books and magazines we recommend and why"
'Must haves'...ALL the Wilton Yearbooks you can find. Past as well
as this year's. ALL fresh new ideas each year. I don't know what we'd do
without 'ideas!' I have many old books now out of print too. Back in the
60's and 70's there weren't many books. I could remember every cake pictured
and where to find it. Now there are trillions.
OLD BOOKS: I think there is going to be a lot of conversation concerning collector books, so....... Look for these in several places...like out-of-the-way cake supply shops, flea markets, yard sales or book stores. Of course you could also check www.ebay.com if you want to take the chance or spend big bucks. I also found an out-of-print book at www.amazon.com recently. But you just buy there, not bid like at ebay. Once in awhile we'll buy out a shop or private person and get old books or pans. But you never know when this might happen. So, try other shops too, just in case.
NEWSLETTERS: Cake decorating newsletters aren't quite as popular now as they use to be. I suppose because our ICES newsletter contains so much of what we need. I don't know of any newsletters online except my own. It is at: http://w3.one.net/~proicer/newslet/newslet.htm It is published monthly around the 1st of each month. You can read it online or download a fancier copy and print out.
Marsha Winbeckler publishes a small monthly newsletter. You can inquire about it by emailing her at: winbeckler@aol.com
ICES newsletter: This one is a MUST! You can subscribe anytime at: http://www.ices.org (be sure to tell them you found out on our chat!) I don't see how any cake decorator can do without this great organization! Dues are $27.00 per year and this includes 11 issues of the newsletter. You'll get 12 color photos with 'how-to' included in each. I think that the best place to find all the new books is at the ICES convention (In August each year). Our own Bridal1 happens to be one of this coming year's Chairman! At ICES you can attend seminars for 4 days by all the teachers, attend the exibit hall with hundreds of fantastic cakes, or visit the trade booths. Much of the time you can even find the author of books and have them autographed.
MAGAZINES: The most popular magazine of them all would be the
American Cake Decorating Magazine. Published 6 times a years. No
one tries to gear a publication towards what we need more than this magazine!
It is fantastic. Step-by-step directions and all kinds of pictures in color.
You can email them at bobharte@cakemag.com or their web site is at http://www.cakemag.com
By the way, the current issue contains a wonderful wedding
cake by our own Earlene! Complete with ste-by-step pictures. This month's
issue is geared also towards a bride and what to look for in a wedding
cake. It will be very helpful to them. Who knows more about wedding cakes
than the decorator LOL.
BOOKS: For WEDDING- Wedding cake Workbook $29.99: I wrote the most complete book of all. It really frustrates me that I must buy a pile of books so I can learn all the basics. So I put my knowledge down in writing...30+years of it. This book is on the BOOKS (MINE) page.$29.99 Contains MANY color photos and diagrams. Small cakes as well as wedding cakes. Setup possibilities...etc.
PATTERN BOOKS: I would get the 3 pattern books by Barb McCann (listed on our BOOKS page. These are old but the BEST. I have 1-2 others that are equally good.
SPECIALTY TECHNIQUES: For figure piping...I'd get Roland Winbeckler's book. Its not many pages, but very clear and easy to understand.
ENCYCLOPEDIAS: I also recommend Wilton's encyclopedias. Wilton must be discontinuing these because they recently announced that they no longer carry book 2. You may find that in a local shop. Grab it! These 3 books show almost every technique in great detail.
RECIPES FOR SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: You will find proven recipes
in Wilton books and Yearbooks. Wilton recipes work. They are very
dependable. This is good to know when you want to try something new. Or
you can also check out mine at: http://w3.one.net/~proicer/index.html I
have nothing that is not a favorite except on my Icing Recipes page. Those
are from many sources, including Earlene's. You should also check out Earlene's
cake recipes on her web site at: http://hometown.aol.com/pwdsugar/index.html
These are very special and time-proven recipes.
COOKBOOKS: If it is cookbooks you are looking for, more crop up all along in the Cooking Club General Store. Have you visited our General Store yet? You can get there by Keyword: cooking club, then it is on the list at bottom-right.
Ohio ICES DOS: More later, but something to put on your calendar for right now. Ohio will have anther 5-state Day Of Sharing this May 1st and 2nd. Most information for DOS is on my web site at: http://w3.one.net/~proicer/ices/icesbrochure.htm - I don't yet have information about who is doing demos. But this one IS going to be lots of fun!
CCChefPwd: We have a fantastic DOS coming up March 7th,
Our own Dolores,
Nicholas Lodge and more sharing. E-Mail me if you would like registration
for that DOS in Lubbock, TX
DPastry: We are having a gum paste hands on Jan 17 here in Tallahassee DOS
CCChefPwd: If you should happen to find a Lambeth or Big
Book by Larry Powell - those are both out of print and great books.
Grab them
Swtelegnt: another great one is Tombi Pecks book.
Gigimama: I have all the Wilton wedding books, I need
something different,
but using mostly buttercream and royal icings. People here can't afford
what I would have to charge for ondant and gumpaste
CCChefDol: Gigi...don't be too sure. Pwd made a market and she
gets it
Gigimama: Yeah, but this ain't Texas, though, LOL
CCChefPwd: I actually have over 100 books in my personal collection.
These are just a few of my favorites
Bridal1: I have a fortune tied up in books and pans!!
Kimom1965: what about the Cake Bible?
CCChefPwd: Gigi it takes a little time but you can eventually
get what it is worth by starting with a
Gigimama: Most of my customers are very young, from blue-collar
families, or second marriages paying for it themselves
CCChefDol: cake bible is basic decorating...I don't agree with
their icing recipes at all: shows how to coat fruits and flowers with sugar
I think
CCChefPwd: just what they are willing to pay price. Then
as your reputation builds you can begin to up those prices to get them
where they need to be.
CCChefDol: I about fell over when I quoted someone $2.50 per
serving the other day and got it!
Bridal1: cake bible doesn't have many pictures if I remember
well. I like lots of pictures!
Swtelegnt: how many of you have tried the sugar crafting series
from
meherst, they are wonderful to learn from, it is all laid out for you
step by step
NYC RobM: Some wonderful fruit coating ideas in Carole Pecks
cookbook. Ill send you the fruit coating ideas- pure genius
CCChefPwd: I made me a list of my books. I can't remember
what I have anymore when I get to convention. I have two new ones that
I bought that are duplicates so I will use them for DOS prizes.
Roca Karen: Dol, with all the school closings, should I buy
tubes of icing and let 9 yr old go nuts on EZbake cakes and cookies?
CCChefDol: Roca...a great idea, will keep them busy all day long.
Have them make gingerbread houses only with graham crackers
CCChefPwd: And they can eat their mess. LOL
CCChefPwd: They can decorate with mashed potatoes
LauraJMD: ACD has a special going.. renew for 3 years.. get
4 back issues free... I did it....
CCChefPwd: It is a really good magazine
CCChefDol: have you all checked out Pwd's beautiful wedding cake
in AMCD yet?
Bridal1: Yes, very nice.
Gmafranks: NO --- can i see the cake on the web?????
Swtelegnt: pwd did a beautiful job, as always
L2jlu2: yes, Pwd beautiful
CCChefPwd: Thanks.......:<) Blushing
CarolA5238: Oh, We all raved of the book at our meeting, great
job!
Bridal1: We need a few more demonstrators for convention?
Anyone want to
have an application???? We need more demonstrators yet! Had note from
Edith yesterday saying they still have spaces to fill and would like extras
to pick and choose from.
Swtelegnt: already sent my application in.
Swtelegnt: Bridal, I'll pass the word around Wa &OR
Dee 0946: Is everyone here member of ICES?
Bridal1: Come, come everyone to Missouri ICES!!!! It's
going to be a fun time!
PjW10: so where's the best place to stay in Kansas city, thats
walking distance?
CCChefDol: Pj...stay AT the main hotel...no time for walking
LOL
MAMATENN: booked our room yesterday for Kansas
CCChefDol: Bridal...in the main hotel? Is it the closest one?
Bridal1: BG, it is the Downtown Marriott. They are all about
same distance - about a block
JWGPKG: Florida Weekend of Sharing in Daytona.
BG926: I waited for this all week,. Kept checking to see if any
of yall were here during the week
Bridal1: BG, check out the cake message board. Lots of
us are there!
CarolA5238: Dee or Pwd, do you know if there' a phone pattern
in any of the books (yearbooks)?
CCChefDol: I made a phone receiver with some cut cake between
2 petite doll cakes, was cute. There was a yellow phone shaped cake in
a very old mag. I also made once...a Wilton yr book
CarolA5238: My goodness I remember seeing the phone with the
petite pan, I'm loosing it I guess.
Btcakelady: need help - best way to measure for ruffles on
cake sides
Bridal1: BT - just mark where your columns are and then mark
in middle of that.
CCChefDol: buttercream ruffles I mark the same as for garlands...don't
let the small end of the tip touch the cake, nor don't hold it up
too high...the large end at top should always touch
Bridal1: #87 or #88 is the best tip for ruffles or garlands
CCChefDol: Wilton has a new 86 tip that is bent the same on both
sides...I still smash it so that I get more ruffle but it is good
Btcakelady: what is the best rolled fondant and where can I
get it
CCChefDol: I like Wilton's rolled fondant IF I add flavoring
OR Regalice is really great and tastes better too
Btcakelady: is rolled fondant hard to work with
CCChefPwd: I like Bakels ready made fondant with flavoring added
Btcakelady: where can I buy Regalice or Bakel’s fondant - I am
not a business, only amateur
CCChefDol: Bt...try here: http://www.sugarcraft.com
Thursday January 14, 1999 at 9 PM ET in the Kitchen Conference
Room -- With CCChefDol & CCChefPwd -- "Tips to help keep the
mess down in our kitchens."
CCChefMeg: HERE IS ANOTHER GOOD LUCK FOOD FROM VERSAILLES...
WILD RICE PANCAKES WITH SALMON ROE
Bet we won't ever have this...
Take a blender and place in it 1 cup cooked wild rice. A bit of
Salt, some minced garlic, 3 tb flour, 1/4 tsp (silly bmi) baking powder,
1 large egg, and 1/4 cup milk...
Pulse on and off to make a coarse batter, add 1 tb of melted
Butter...
Over medium heat in a non-stick fry pan add 1 tb melted butter
And spoon in tb full of the wild rice batter to make little pancakes....
Turn them after 2-3 minutes and cook them on the other side until nice
and golden. Serve them with a dollop of a mixture of 1/3 cup sour cream
and 1/4 cup salmon roe...
All the other recipes are way too long to do in ten minutes, but i
can tell you what else is served... Sautéed salmon with orange and
asparagus...
Chicken Provincial, warm chickpea and basil salad, and for dessert...
Such a dessert...