Its great to hear your side as well. Youre right in saying that its easier from the comfort of home. It looks easy when youre not the one doing it.

Hello Buddy V.! You inspired my Wedding Dress cake. I saw your spread in American Cake Decorating and made one draping fondant, using pearl dust, etc. and just put my spin on it. I enjoy your style and love to watch the challenges. I wish they had them on DVD so we can see the entire 7 hours. I want to see everything you all are doing. I've learned some great stuff and fast tips. Keep it up and yes, remember, it is television. If we had someone cut and edit our everyday, I'm sure we wouldn't always look great.
Have a great night!
Michelle

I agree that talk is cheap. For those who've not been in that boat should not knock those who have been. We do have some amazing talent on here but that does not diminish how accomplished these participants are. We should think and care about each others feelings before belittling someone by name. It is hurtful and unnecessary. We as a community are here to be helpful, positive and supportive.

welcome buddyV. I'm so happy to have someone so talented on CC!

Hi Everyone, I'm the organizer for the NJ Cake Decorators Club and we are the group that took a class with Buddy on Sunday. I just have to say that not only is this man an amazing cake decorator but he is one of the sweetest and most generous people I have met!

Hey Buddy!

I don't recall anyone saying you were rude, you are always very nice on the show - I also applaud your calmness and coolness in the heat of the moment under so much pressure in front of the cameras. That is where I KNOW I would fail! I tend to scream when under pressure.

I do love the cakes on your website and I'm sure soon enough you will prove to the judges your true talent.

Feel free to tear apart my cakes!

How exciting to have Buddy on the board! (Hi, Buddy! Big fan!!) I don't post as much as I used to, but I need to say that this site is filled with enormous talent! I have always been in awe watching the Food Network Challenges.

Sorry to the original poster, but starting a thread about cake decorators that annoy you is pretty inconsiderate. There are a lot more well known cake decorators on this site than you realize.

Anyway, I wish I had half the talent and the guts to go on a television show and put together a cake under that much stress. Kudos to all the contestants!!!

angie

Buddy, I'm so glad you posted this. I think most people really don't understand how different a TV set is from a normal environment, and how extraordinarily stressful it is. I think you gave a great insight into how exhausting it is to participate in one of these shows.

I looked at your web site the other day because I've always liked the cakes you do on the Challenges. I have to say that I am really dazzled by your work. Your cakes are beautiful, and your talent is obvious.

I think some people just don't understand your New Jersey charm. My ex-husband is from New Jersey (Woodbridge Township) and most of my friends in Idaho just didn't get him, but I understood his humor, and I actually think of him fondly when I hear your accent. I've never thought you were jerky. I think people like to forget that just because someone appears on TV doesn't mean they're not human, and that those type of comments are hurtful.

I thought Kerry Vincent was a hard *ss when I first saw her, but her comments are always fair and constructive, and it's just her personality. I've never heard her say anything mean or unfair to anyone on the Challenges.

I wouldn't mind being Buddy for a while.

Buddy is AWESOME!!!! I am not only a very satisfied customer (for yummy Italian pastry & a great 1st b'day cake for my son last year!)- I was one of the lucky ones to attend the Meetup on Sunday with NJ Cake Decorators. He (& his crew/family) are so nice - very down to earth! As we all worked in his bakery (for quite a few hours!!!) his family/crew were there to help, often one on one - encouraging, joking & sharing. Buddy gave a personal step by step lesson on his beautiful roses. He is completely approachable & makes you feel at ease - you felt like you could do it & he (& his crew) really wanted to help you do your best.
In my opinion, even with the TV "fame", Buddy is a guy who hasn't forgotten where he came from & truly enjoys helping others.
Thank you Buddy - it was an honor to "play" at your shop! Very kind & generous - lots of fun!! Hope we can do it again!

PS: FYI - what he has said here about Kerry Vincent, is exactly what he told us...

I watched you on The FN Challenge you were really good!!! You are a great decorator! I only hope to be as good as you some day!!!

I think we all can agree that that television is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, and that what you see is not necessarily what you see. I was just looking at the picture of Kerri in ACD the other day and made a comment to someone of how beautiful of a smile she has and such a totally different persona when not in that FN gear. I've never met her, but know people who have, and they too say she's nothing but generous and a total sweetheart.

I was also at the class that Buddy mentioned this past Sunday, and I have to tell you that all 21 people that attended had nothing but praise and admiration for buddy as a person, as well as a decorator. He and his staff went out of their way to make that class one of the best we've had. You couldn't ask for a more generous, and selfless person. Heck, the fact that the class was scheduled for four hours but went well over six, and all supplies were include (we just had to bring ourselves) that right there should give you an idea of what kind of person Buddy is.

I wish I could take his classes...but I live in Texas.

I like Kerry Vincent.. So what if she is harsh ?? she is a judge !! If these people in these challenge shows don't want to hear it from her, then they should not be in these shows. Besides these challenge shows are by invitation only. They don't have to accept the invitation to be there. She has proven herself, she does not have to be in these challenges.

Buddy - how did the Food Network first come to contact you? Had someone referred your work to them , or did you participate in a large show? I'd love to know how they find the artists that take part in the Challenges.

I would love to know the answer to that question too. It seems like they have the same few people on all of their challenges. On the last challenge I watched, Bronwen said she had been on something like 8 challenges! I like to watch the people who are new to challenge because you don't know what they are going to make. It makes things more exciting.

I've also been wondering, what do they do with all those cakes when the competition is over? They are huge cakes and would serve tons of people.

I've also been wondering what they do with the cakes...that's a lot of cake! Maybe they feed the audience and crew, camera people & etc.

I secretly dream about being on a food network challenge, but in my dream(nightmare) - nothing I try to do works out right and in the end I submit a replica of my very first cake from Wilton 1 and run off stage screaming and crying.... that is why I would never make a very good contestant! haha!!!

I am sure that they edit edit edit to capture the best and more often the WORST moments - that is what makes "good TV". I have also noticed that when Colette was a contestant she was upbeat and fun and funny, but then when she came back as a judge she had a totally different attitude - again - sure that was edited.

I am actually going to a cake challenge in Gainesville, Florida next month and it will be judged by Kerri Vincent - I'm kinda scared!! Everyone always says she is nothing like that in person and that she is absolutely so sweet etc...but STILL - THE KERRI VINCENT judging one of my "homemade" cakes!! Come on!!!! I'm terrified!!

BUDDY- welcome to CC, I am totally honored to be posting on the same thread! Thank you for joining us!

thr truth is they contacted me . i have been in alot of magizines over the years and i think thats how they got me. second all those cakes go in the garbage. trust me you do not want to eat those cakes i purposely burn pound cake so it would hold up better and if you know anything about cake when you saw or carve in to cake it is dry . moist and delicious cakes are not ment to sculpt. but remember that cake needs to go from nj to denver how do you get it there in one piece. and the reasons they call certain people back is because it takes a certain kind of person to do them not only talent wise but good tv to so my advice is if they call you do something nuts on the show and they will call you back. also the reason i checked out these blogs is because i was looking for feedback on my class on sunday and i wanted to see if i can get info to set up my next class and i stumbled upon lots of stuff about me and unfortunatly more was bad then good. to go into another blog where i was bashed was britneys cake if you see pictures of the cake then look at the cover of her new cd that was what iwas given to use . i did not hAve a choice on color i had to do what they said and if there is one lesson i learned is to do what they asked so they will call you agian. i spoke to the editor of modern bride one time and i said how come you always have the same cake people all the time. she said because i know you will deliver what i want alot of times they give me sketches and i execute and i always deliver. so when i tell them not to worry they trust me. remember to sometimes they call you with 2 days notice for stuff do you say no or just do it. my worst challenge was disney villans truth be told i was not proud of my work.but i only had a week and a half notice. besides the fact that i run a 10,000 square foot bakery that pays the bills. so i practiced 3 days total. i also never make cakes like that i do wedding cakes sometimes up to 50 a weekend. so that i do not need practice on but 6 foot tall lion cakes yes. ialso learned about different matierials to work with to mike macarey how is a good friend and the best sculpter i know uses modeling chocolate over fondant on many sculptures and after playing with the stuff i understand why. i am a better decorater after seeing that and when i go to compete i have more tricks to use. another piece of advice do not do challenges that are sculptures agianst mike but i would love to do a wedding cake challange with anyone.

if you want to be on challange call high noon denver not food network they call the shots

I nominate Thanh Thanh for a challenge. TT is great!

I also want to say to Buddy-I don't know how you guys do it. I don't think I could work with a cameraman there in my face! and the judges asking questions. I have enjoyed watching you try things that are out of the ordinary. It's obvious you are a great decorator!