Negative Reaction To Mm Fondant
Decorating By rittenhouse Updated 3 Apr 2007 , 9:50pm by rittenhouse
Has anyone recieved a negative reaction to mm fondant? The pheasant cake I made recieved negative reactions. I had worked really hard on painting the cake but it seems that the people did not like it. I had done it as a promotional cake, so it hurts me even more. When making fondant cakes, do you all recommend that people eat the fondant or not? Should it be just for show? I also read that the dusts should not be eaten? Is that true because it said that they are non-toxic. My ego has been really deflated by this negative feedback on my cake. Primarily, the painting of the cake is what matters to me because I am an artist...but....I am feeling really hurt and don't know if I should give-up or keep pressing on.
I have very few orders for a full fondant covered cake, however, the few that I've had I have always let the client taste the fondant first and explain that I cover the cake with a thick BC first before covering with fonant so that it can be peeled off and still have icing to eat.
I just made my first MMF and I have to admit it's much better tasting then the store bought fondant. I'm not a huge fan of marshmellows so I'm going to try to flavor it next time but I will be using the MMF from now on instead of the store bought. it's cheaper and much easier to use in my opinion.
Your cake is beautiful btw.
Amy
In my experience, most people don't like fondant in general, but when I began using MMF, they liked it much better but still weren't thrilled with the texture. Most people I give cakes to take the fondant off and just eat the cake. I personally will eat MMF, but won't eat most other fondants. As for the luster dust question, I can't help you much with that...I do remember a post about non-toxic vs. food-safe along time ago, but can't find it right now.
I think your cake looks fantastic....the painting is just great. Don't let a bad experience stop you from doing what you love to do!
You don't mention who the negative reaction is from, or how many had that reaction. I think your painted cakes show a lot of detail and talent, so maybe it was the fondant itself that no one liked. That is common, as a lot of people just peel it off and eat the cake underneath.
Maybe if you don't want to use all fondant, and since you still need it as a surface to paint on, you could just make the top of your cakes fondant and do the sides in buttercream. Kind of like a fondant "plaque" on top, if that makes sense. Then put a small border around it to incorporate it into the cake.
Just trying to help,
You should definetly not quit. Your work is really cool and unique. I'm sure most people don't even know you can paint a cake. What kind of negative comments did they make? Did they say specifically that the cake looks good but we don't like this sugary coating? I tell people that they can peel off the fondant if they don't like it. I usually put more buttercream frosting underneath than the instuctions say so that they can peel it off and still have frosting on their cake. Or did they just not like the cake in general?
I'm sorry that others didn't appreciate the talent that went into painting the pheasant cake....I think it's a beautiful cake that I would be honored to receive! Definitely don't let other people's negativity stop you. As for your question about eating fondant.....it's a personal preference, some people will eat it and some will peel it off. I beleive the dusts are considered non-toxic and can be consumed without any problem.
There are very few people that I know that like fondant. They like the look, but not the fondant itself. Most usually just peel it off, unless they are guys, who think everything is edible no matter what you say. Did my boss listen to me when I told him NOT to eat the flower with the wire in it? NoooOOoooo. OK, end of my story. I think your cakes are stunning and don't give up. Your work obviously requires a smooth surface, so I'd just let people know that the cake inside is delicious but that the fondant is not something everyone likes. Some people like just the icing, some people like just the cake. The same is true of fondant.
I think the dusts are non-toxic, but most of the ones I have bought say non-edible. Meaning, they aren't toxic for use around food, but you probably don't want to ingest too much.
I made MMF for the first time last night, it was a practice cake. I sent it to work with my sister and I called her on her lunch, (I couldn't wait to know what everyone thought of it). But when I gave it to her last night, I told her what it was and told her if no one liked it they could peel it off cuz there was FBC underneath it. Everyone loved the MMF they didn't like the FBC. How could you not? It's just marshmallow - pretty much. 
Dear Everyone,
Thank you for all the positive feedback and great advice. To be perfectly honest, one person was willing to give me feedback on the cake (which was not good) and no one else had the courage to say anything to me...I guess...because they never called me back to let me know, even when I asked them to. Anyway...the other negative comment was about the filling (i.e. homemade blackberry preserves...because I am in Washington state) so granted, that isn't much of a filling and there are seeds in it....it is preserves. I also informed them of this when I dropped off the cake. Type A perfectionsist that I am is annoyed, but I also know that this is a learning experience that can be applied for later. It just initialy sucks to hear something like that with not comments made towards the actual cake (midnight chocolate) and the painting. The twist to it all was that one of the clients of the people I gave the cake to just bought a bakery shop and they were going to pass my name on for possible display/ painting of the shops' cakes....only I have not heard anything. They also hyped me up with this information prior to tasting the cake.
REGARDLESS...thank you again for the suggestions and feedback. I will try to make lemon cake from this lemon.
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