The food network just had a wedding cake challenge. Did anyone see the poker grooms cake? The green 'felt" for the top of the table was shiny. really shiny! How did he do that. I thought he said it was fondant. Did I hear him right?
TIA!
~Michele

I missed that part, I should rewind and see what he said. But I have heard that if you brush the cake with vodka, it will give a really shiny look!

I saw one of the decorators using a handheld steamer... that could be it.

I haven't seen it yet but I do know Buddy Valastro uses a steamer. It gets rid of any cornstarch residue and also makes the fondant temporarily sticky so it's easy to attach decorations on.

I watched it! that was a great competition. I liked Buddy's cake the best and he also did the poker groom's cake. Of course I missed how he made it so shiney though I think it might be the steamer. I know when I make gumpaste flowers, i steam the petals to set the color. If I hold it too long, the petal gets super shiney so I think he made the top of gumpaste and over steamed it.

I thought you brush on gel icing to make the fondant shiny.

I saw Buddy using a steamer, not sure why though. I loved his wedding cake, it was so elegant and his poker table cake was fantastic!

I saw Buddy use a steamer in a different challenge and it was to make it easier for him to attach fondant pieces to the cake without having to brush each piece individually.

I was wondering what he was doing with the steamer, that makes sense, that decorations would stick better, good idea.

shineyness can come from steam, brushing with alcohol, crisco (although it doesnt last i dont *think*) or using confectioners glaze.
xx

You could always try sending Buddy a PM. He's a recent CC member...mostly to let people know that the decorators aren't always portrayed accurately on the challenges. (Imagine that...FN going for drama at the expense of accuracy?!) He seems incredibly approachable, so you could give a PM a try.

Oh yes, I learned a lot about those challenges thanks to Buddy! (And that famous people have feelings too ).

I prefer to mix piping gel with vodka. It gives it shine and it dries without being sticky.

Confectioners glaze smells like varnish and if you you drip it on your work area it's a pain in the butt to get off. Crisco or cooking spray will eventually soak into the fondant. Steam is a fast way to make an entire cake shine.

You can also mix food color with vodka to paint on color that dries without being sticky.

Will have to invest in a steamer now...LOL! Makes perfect sence!

Can someone please post a link to some of Buddy's threads where he discusses the FN challenges? I'd really like to read them.

Thanks

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6221223-.html#6221223

Thanks for posting the link. I think I started reading the thread but must have stopped before Buddy started posting.

It was really interesting, but all I could think about when reading his posts was the other thread on "paragraphical -ness"

LOL!! I know.... mixed in with punctuational-ness