Hi all,

Happy to see so many from Ontario. I am originally from Sudbury, but have been in Barrie for 20 years. I have never used Satin icing, it is like fondant? I make marshmallow fondant as I find the taste of the wilton fondant just awful (rather like playdough).

I was in a Michael's in Whitby yesterday and asked the same thing as you, Christie. I was told there are no more paper coupons (although strangely there was a paper flyer with discount coupons off of framing??) and that they are on-line. I told her I couldn't find the coupon on-line, and she told me I had to register. I told her I had registered, and she said she had no explanation for why I can't access the on-line coupon. I can't imagine they lose money with these coupons (they don't from me - I buy even more when I have one, I'm sure!), so I don't know what's the problem with them - ?

I had registered for the e-flyer and now they email a weekly coupon download. I have still received the flyers with coupons in the local paper as well.

Well, it sounds like Alberta's the place to be! Double the Michael's coupons! Lucky you, cake-angel. How long after you registered for the e-flyer did it take to start getting the coupons (if you recall)?

Hmmm...guess I better register to get my coupons sent to me. I have this weeks but sounds like I may not be getting any more..

I FINALLY found Goldas. They have GREAT stuff..I had my 4 year old with me so I couldn't spend much time in there.
I noticed that Goldas has their own fondant. Has anyone tried it? They also had dried fondant..any good?

I use Golda's fondant (white and chocolate so far) and like both of them. I was there yesterday and bought a TON more stuff - thankfully I live far enough away that I have to purposely make the trip or my bank account would be seriously low!

I noticed that Golda's made their own fondant and was hoping someone had tried it. I am planning a trip there soon myself, so I will pick up some and pass along news as to how it tastes and how well it works (in my opinion, of course!)

Thanks..I noticed it was quite a bit cheaper then the Satin Ice. I like the MMF but thought I may try it to have on hand just incase.. (I ALWAYS have a hard time making black fondant..so that may be the first colour I try)
I can't wait to go back WITHOUT my 4 year old! Hmmmm..when do the kids go back to school again???

FYI - Golda's Kitchen is having a sale from today until next Wednesday for on-line orders. Haven't had time to check out the 30'ish pages of cake decorating items on sale.

Adding to the Michael's discussion we've had, I signed up for my coupons last week on-line and got my first one yesterday. It's a 50% off - celebrating Canada Day, I guess. Here's a link if you want to print it for yourself (hope this works!). It says they'll accept it in store, so there shouldn't be any problems.

http://sdm3.rm04.net/servlet/MailView?ms=MjA1NDU4MwS2&r=MTMyODEwMDI3NDQS1&j=NTI0NzU4MDcS1&mt=1

i really like Mccalls i find very reasonable i bought a 5 pans for 30 something as well as 10 kilos ( 20lbs) of fondant for like 60$ very good if u ask me i bought a zillion different things and spent only over 100 it doesn depend on what u buy of course but still not bad.. i like golda's but a few of there things are a tad bit pricey for my liking. the fondant is decent but i like the McCall's brand. they also make a white chocolate fondant. oh but i also got a discount because i am a pastry student but still

OK - I did a road trip to both Golda's and McCall's warehouse today. I have only ordered from Golda's on-line. They have a new store that is very nice. I bought some Golda's fondant, which I haven't used before, and as soon as I use it, I'll post how it went. I love Satin Ice, so I hope it works up the same as that.

I also went to McCall's warehouse in Mississauga and was impressed with both the prices and the selection they had. Since I don't have a membership, I didn't buy anything, just looked around to see if a membership was worth it. If I lived closer and decorated more cakes than I do, I would think it's worth it. They do have their own fondant too (as has been mentioned before), but I didn't buy any because I wanted to try Golda's first, and I don't do enough fondant cakes to warrant buying too much of it all at once. I plan to buy some of McCall's fondant and try it too. I did find McCall's prices on most products about 25% cheaper than Golda's, but again, you need the membership to buy at the warehouse.

In all, I was glad to check out both places in person for the first time. I will go back again as soon as I can (it's a 2 hour drive, which is bad for convenience and good for my bank account!).

Ooops! Forgot to wish everyone a Happy Canada Day (a bit early)!

Happy Canada Day all you fellow cake baking Canadians! I had no idea there were so many of us around. I'm in the East York area of Toronto and do most of my shopping a Mccauls. Took some really great decorating courses there too. So happy to "meet" you all!

Teresa

HAPPY CANADA DAY everyone..The weather here in the GTA is looking promising..No rain..Whoo! Hoo!
I didn't know McCalls had a warehouse..I thought it was just their store in the Kipling/Bloor area. Whereabouts in Mississauga is their warehouse?
Thanks...

Happy Canada Day All

I love checking in of this tread every so often, you Ontarians are just a wealth of knowledge!!!

I ended up buying the Fondex from the store in Port Huron and it is great, very easy to work with and tasty. I also bought the black satin ice and choco pan from gsa and it also tastes great, the satin ice a little nicer that the choco(which surprised me). I have found another place in TO that sells fondant, here is the link:
http://www.essencecakes.com/onlinestore.html
If it does not work PM me and I will send you the link. They ship and also have somewhere you can pick it up in Brampton.

Hope everyone has a nice Canada Day and happy baking!

I just looked at the essencecakes website and their fondant looks like the exactly same labeling as Golda's (but obviously it send their store). Wonder if they are getting it from the same manufacturer? If that's the case we should do a cost comparison.

I wrote her an email about shipping last week and she wrote back saying:
"The brand name is "Deluxe Ice" and is made by a company which makes another popular brand. It is of very good quality and unlike other brands, the taste is great too. We can attest to this because we have used this product for a very long time, and w selling it under our brand name - Deluxe Ice. "
Shipping to London would be: $9.69 for (1) 1kg tub
11.80 for (2) 1kg tubs
13.10 for (3) 1kg tubs
This seems like alot to me but would make it about the same price as the fondex I bought in PH. I guess if i was going to get some from here I would drive to pick it up.
Is Golda's own brand on the website or can you only get it from the store?

Hi..you can buy Goldas brand in the store. I saw it the other day. They only had a couple of colours in stock when I was there..

The McCall's warehouse is just near Dixie and Eglinton in Mississauga. If you check their website, they have detailed directions to it.

Thanks! That's not too far from me. I'll have to go and check it out..

Hi..so I went to the McCalls warehouse today..WOW..they have a great selection of things..And the prices were reasonable IF you have a membership. I may look into getting one or seeing if its possible to split one with a friend.

It's so nice to see people are still responding to this thread!!! I was thinking about taking a trip to Golda's in a couple weeks. I live in Brooklin (Whitby) so it is a distance, but sounds like it would be worth it. There is a place in Mississauga that I bought Choco Pan. I paid around $45.00 for a 10lb pail and so far everyone really likes it.
Do any of you have a website with pictures of cakes you have done? Unfortunately I seem to put all mine on Facebook. I have started a little website called www.thecakewhole.com, if you get a chance take a look. I have not updated for a while though!!!

Hi Ohare !! Great website, I love the flower pot. It is great how you do photos the whole way through the process. I put all my cakes on here and facebook but don't have too many as I have just started.

Just a note for everyone...I made a batch of BC using sweetex last night and it was awful!!!! I don't know if I did something wrong but it tasted like wax and I ended up going to A&P at 9:30pm and getting some crisco and more sugar and making up a whole new batch and throwing the first one out. Has anyone else had this experience?? I did buy the fluffo someone was talking about but was afraid to use it last night cause one bad batch was enough!!!!

Hi Eileenscakes!

Thanks for the compliment! The flower pot cake was the first cake I have ever done and that was this past mothers day. I too am just a beginner and am still experimenting. I have only completed 3 cakes and the 4th cake I have to complete for July 25th!!! I am lucky my DH is a web techie, that is the only reason I have a site. Other than that I use facebook to post my cakes as well.
Have any of you baked a cake for 75 people???? I am trying to figure out what size I will have to do?!?

There is a great guide in the article section of CC, here is the link:
http://www.cakecentral.com/article14-Cake-Baking-Cutting--Serving-Guide---2-in-Deep-Pans.html

I always make more because I know I like a bigger piece of cake!!!! I have not made one that big myself but lot of folks here have and they are really helpful!

HTH
Eileen

I've posted most of my cakes on here in my photos. I don't know enough about computers to start my own website.

As far as a McCall's membership, did I not read on this thread that it is only $20 for an individual? If so, that would make it worthwhile because most of us would probably save that (and more) in one visit! Did I read that wrong?

Oooops - forgot to add:

ohare - I live in Lindsay, near Peterborough, so I am a bit further from Golda's than you (I have in-laws in Brooklin). I didn't find it too bad a drive from here. It was easy to find as it is not far off the 401. Hope you can get there soon!