OK-- I must defend Kerry Vincent here. She is from Australia and they are very honest with their words. Unlike alot of us Americans that tend to "nice" things up because we don't want to hurt feelings.

Also, the Food Network people want her to be the "Simon Cowell" of the Cake Challenges. Kerry just states her opinion and they do have a list for the voting/grading system on the Challenges.

I have talked with most of the Challenge cake people and all agree it is truly stressful. Cake Diva said she didn't want to do another one. As well as Colette--that was 2 years ago, tho.

So, remember this is TV, guys...and tho it looks like 8 hours...is it really?
The television airing that we see is not the ACTUAL straight 8 hours. They edit and they move some of the shots around to make it more nail-biting and dramatic. C'mon--ya'll know how TV is....Reality TV is not REAL life.

I've seen KV on that sugar arts show in Oklahoma city and it seems to better suited for her taste and style.

There, it is all about painstaking detail and extrodinary skill.

I've wondered if the challange winners would do as well if they had to do endless hours of piping, stringwork, gum paste flowers etc.

You know, I think she comes off harder than she is. I emailed her not too long ago about OSSAS, and she was very gracious and responded. I was so excited!

Although, did anyone think she seemed to have a little crush on that guy in the Cirque de Soliel cake challenge? I can't remeber his name, but he is very young, and very arrogant. I swore I saw her giggle. I have never seen her giggle before. LOL!

KV DOES giggle. Attend one of her demos. She was very entertaining at ICES.

I've watched most of the challenges and she does seem a bit harsh and rough around the edges. I don't know much about her background, so don't flame me! My husband said one time that maybe her handband was too tight on her head!

Melissa

Yeah, that young guy did seem a bit full of himself...but he's very talented! If he could have made that curvy part on the top of his cake a bit skinnier, it maybe would have worked a lot better...and honestly, that little figure that was spinning around was so small I barely noticed it!

I think part of the issue with the red scarf thing was that it was one solid piece. It would have looked more twirly and scarfy (yes, I know lol) if he had two or three, or even four smaller armatures (sp?) that could have twisted and come together at the bottom.

Mac, I have been an audience member at a challenge and it is a solid eight hours - no breaks. Several people that I know who were competitors told me about not being allowed to leave the set. The shows are taped live and later edited for time.

As for people being from Australia being more blunt, there is still no near to make nasty comments. Rude is rude no matter from where someone originates.

Maybe if we let the Food Network know what we would like to see in the challenges. If they don't know what we think.

Just a thought.

Michele

Sugarflowers--
I didn't word that the right way...I meant to say that there is some pre-work they can bring. And I also meant that some of the editing has been out of sequence so they can maximize the stress factor. And since the competition is 6-8 hours and the show is 1 hour--alot is left on the editing room floor.

To me, the original designing of a cake is difficult and then the support construction...I don't think I could do it.

And I have worked with many Australians in the physical therapy field and really, it is not rudeness to them. Sorry, but this is just a difference of 2 continents...arghhhh, that's not the word I'm looking for.

Like many others, I don't have a problem with Kerry being harsh or demanding about the details. I think that's her job as a judge. What I have a problem with is her judging a style of cake that she herself does not do.

For those that find Kerry harsh...

"You've never worked in a restuarant kitchen before, have you?"

She's a kitten compared to many other chefs.

MamaBerry -- you're right. While some might find Kerry's comments rude, I've also seen her be very helpful and supportive of competitors when they're struggling.

Being new at the craft, I appreciate KVs feedback on traditional details. She is blunt and quick to the point, but I am the kind of person who appreciates that type of feedback.

Sometimes I'm watching those shows, and although very pretty, I wonder how a few of those elaborate creations are considered cake. Covering pvc pipe or styrofoam with fondant doesn't seem appropriate.

She's not my favorite judge either and she does come off unusually harsh but when you watch the show you can see that she really tries to be helpful and not only a critic. I do feel she let's her personal taste sometimes compromise her judging, though.

It would be fun to have a show where the judge's end up doing the competition while the cometitors get to judge.

I was also disappointed in the Cirque show. I felt like it could have had great potential but everyone's ideas were boring! Nothing spectacular but I also felt that some of the competitors were lacking in caliber.

By biggest complaint, though, was the show where the judge criticized Mike for doing a pirate show for the audience. I feel a judge is there to judge the cake, not for what the competitor does outside of the cake field. That was a producer's call and not any place for a judge to comment. If the producer or emcee felt it was out of place, then they should never have allowed it.

Let's not forget - some of the prizes for winning these challenges are $10K. Ummm....that cake had better be PERFECT to win that kind of money.
I hate the arrogant cake designers who start off by saying "I have this one in the bag..."
Please. They need to get off their high horse and drop the holier than thou attitude... just decorate.
I agree they need to add more judges, tho.

I met Gary from the wedding cake challenge he came in 3rd place he had to drive his cake from Mi to Ok. and didn't make it in time they were closing the doors and KV asked all the others decoraters if they mined if they let him in and they said yes and let him in he said she is so nice not at all like she is portrayed on the show. I too thought she was to tough on some of the people but I think sometimes you need that because when they are running out of time things get sloppy when trying to finish on time.

This morning I had a sudden inspiration for a challenge:

Today's my birthday, and I want Mike, Colette, Marina, Elisa, and Ron-Ben Israel (I know he's never done a challenge and probably never would but I would love to see what he could do and I LOVE his cakes!) to compete to make MY birthday cake! You know us decorators never get really cool birthday cakes. I make everyone else great cakes, and I would love to actually get one sometime!

My birthday was in May. Went to dinner with the fam, which was what I wanted. I LOVE cake. Love it, but I refuse to make my own.
My daughter made me stop at *gasp* WalMart for my bday cake because she said I simply HAD to have one.
It was gross.

I used to be the same way--about 4 yrs ago, I told my mom that I wanted a chocolate cake from a certain bakery here. She said, "Oh yours are much better." I refused to make my own cake. Well, got the cake. Now I make ALL my own birthday cakes. Besides tasting better, I get to pick the design AND have a new pic for my portfolio.

Well, interesting topic. I can't believe I am going to type this but. I call KV Judgezilla. (like from the show bridezilla) I hope she never reads this. She is very intimidating and a women with many words. I like her but I know lots of people who are scared to death of her. I was at the ICES convention and got to talk to her for a few minutes and see her in action and she was very nice. I am sure she puts on somewhat of an act on TV.
sometimes I wish I could be more like her then maybe my other half would get the point! She is a great decorator and lots of us look to her for inspiration. But whats up with the headband?