Getting People To Give Fondant A Chance?
Decorating By Copacabanya Updated 31 Aug 2007 , 11:20pm by Copacabanya
I have (really my first) few orders in the next couple of weeks and I am excited about that. But when I spoke with each of the people and asked if they wanted BC or fondant they all immediately said "NO fondant!" Okay, one of them said no fonDU but I digress...
I am much more satisfied with the final product when I am able to cover my cakes in fondant, and I really think they'd be happier with the outcome if they would just give it a chance. I use Fondx, so it's not like I'm trying to force feed them Wilton's glorified playdoh. But in my area of rural Oklahoma most people have no idea what fondant is, and those that do know refuse to give it a chance. Outside of doing a tasting for a stinkin' birthday cake, how do you get people to just trust you and go with it? Does anyone else find this problem in their area or are we just living sheltered lives here? lol
Anya
I have had this issue several times and explained that if they want a certain look - we have to use fondant - if they don't want to eat it, peel it. I have also started using Satin Ice and Choco-Pan white/dark chocolate fondants and introducing it as "chocolate fondant" - this seems to raise a lot less eyebrows. Even when I've used MMF and explained what it is I would get the "uhh.... I'm just not ready for that". Again, my response - "peel it"
Hi Anya
No advice here, I'm afraid.
In the UK, almost all cakes are covered with fondant (or, as we call it, sugarpaste). It would be almost unheard of to get a cake from a professional cake maker that was covered with buttercream (unless specifically requested, of course). Actually, the only place I can think of where you can buy a cake covered in buttercream is Costco. But they come into the 'cheap & cheerful' category 
.
I wouldn't know where to begin to cover a cake with buttercream, as beautifully as I've seen here on CC.
Yeah, we get that a lot where I work, what I tell them is that our fondant is different than others because my boss makes it from scratch and that it tastes like marshmellow and doesn't have to be too thick. For wedding cakes of course I always tell them they can try our fondant on a sample and if they still don't like it then they can have buttercream. I try not to force it, but it is easier to convince them if they can taste it, so without tasting I don't know. Sometimes it helps to say that the cake is iced in buttercream first so if they don't like the fondant they can peel it off, but it really makes the cake look so much better!
have they actually tasted it or have they just 'heard' about it? Do you have a friend or relative you might be willing to do a free cake or a cake for the cost of supplies if they let you do fondant (then everyone at the party would be able to try it, too).
Glorified playdough...too funny! I have not worked with fondant much, but have been one who has been guilty of putting it down. I am anxious, however, to try the MMF, because that sounds quite good. I guess I would just give folks samples to taste, show them your work, and go from there. It is an awesome look, that's for sure, and I think if you have an awesome fondant recipe and taste, it will sell itself, both in looks and taste. Guess I'm not much help, huh?
Sheltered lives. I agree that fondant is not for everyone. I love it. It's sweet enough to taste good but isn't so thick and powerful that it masks the flavor of the cake. Some people ice generously with BC under the fondant, I just crumb with it. I'm wondering if you could convince them by doing that? My sister swore she HATED Fondue (HAHAHAHA) and recently discovered she was wrong! I had some out and said, "Hey, taste this!" She said OMG what is that, it's so gooood?! I said, "fondant!". Most people who don't like it have probably only been exposed to Wilton's poor excuse for fondant. Have them try a small bite, that's how I convinced!
Elle
How about making a simple, single layer cake, putting fondant on it, and cutting up into little pieces?Or even try mini cupcakes! 
Wrap well, and put into the fridge or freezer. Take one or two out when someone is asking for a cake. This way when you give them the choice, they can try a piece before they answer yes or no.
HTH
I'm from rural Oklahoma too so I know exactly what you're talking about.
There are a couple of ways I've been able to convert people over to fondant.
The second I hear..."I don't want a ton of frosting on the cake", I jump at the chance to offer fondant by telling them it allows me to only put on a very thin layer of icing.
Then I get those who yell, NO FONDANT!! I HATE the taste of fondant. So, I'll use it for decorations. It's amazing the number of people who will come back and say it was so nice to have decorations that were soft and tasted good instead of rock hard icing or plastic. Then I tell them...ummm, those were fondant! 
For the really stubborn, I'll sometimes offer to include fondant covering at no extra charge so they can try it out. Since it's a bit more expensive for fondant, they often jump at the chance.
I haven't had one person come back and say they didn't like it, but we Okies can be a stubborn bunch!
have they actually tasted it or have they just 'heard' about it? Do you have a friend or relative you might be willing to do a free cake or a cake for the cost of supplies if they let you do fondant (then everyone at the party would be able to try it, too).
Exactly! I took a topsy turvy cake covered in fondant to the July Chamber of Commerce meeting. The meeting day happened to be my birthday, so I used that as an excuse to use them as guinea pigs and to show off fondant!
They were hooked. It's opened up doors and minds. I pretty much have free reign each month for an order I do for the HS faculty here. This month I did a fondant covered cake. (Giant Rx bottle in my pics)
According to the teacher who does the ordering, they were "coming up from the elementary school" to try to get a look and piece. (No chance on the slice for the grade school.. those HS people are mean when it comes to their cake!)
I'm sure any exposure most people have had with fondant has been at weddings, and we all know how dreadful wedding cake can be at times.
have they actually tasted it or have they just 'heard' about it? Do you have a friend or relative you might be willing to do a free cake or a cake for the cost of supplies if they let you do fondant (then everyone at the party would be able to try it, too).
The first cake this week is actually for my cousin's little girl. She's the one that immediately said no to fondant, and I really don't think she has ever tasted it, it's just how she imagines it would taste. But I think you may be on to something, I'm going to call her and tell her I'll do it for free if she'll let me do it in fondant. This party will be full of families with kids and I think they could all be potential customers if I can just have a chance to show them something different from Wamalart and Albertsons. People around here are in some sort of sheet cake trance I think! Thanks indy!
justme5 - You said it! We Okies are definitely stubborn!
Since I have fondant on hand maybe I should just make a little 6 inch cake and take it to her this weekend and have her try it. Once I win her over I think that could really open some doors. She has a great circle of friends and she's my biggest supporter.
Thank you everyone for the input! Do any of you use Fondx? I have never tried Satin Ice and I haven't made MMF, though I have tasted it. Maybe I think this Fondx is good because I don't know any better?
Anya
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%