what are the monster flowers sitting in? Like what do you think was used on top of the green tier? It looks shiny..maybe piping gel or royal icing? Any thoughts? I have been asked to reproduce this cake for a wedding and i'm not too sure what to use there.

Here's the link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alttext/246142812/in/set-72157594289496628/

My first thought was that it was black fondant that had water or something brushed on it to make it shiny because it doesn't look wet, but I think piping gel will give you almost the same look just wetter.

I thought it looked like chocolate ganache.

I would use piping gel. Even rubbing crisco on black fondant - I can't imagine it would look that shiny!!

~ Jaime