I'm planning on joining the San Diego Cake Show. It will be my first competition and I really have no idea what to expect. I feel so intimidated by looking at the pictures from the past years.
Anyways, I will be flying and will be checking parts of my cake in. I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips on how to package them safely (they will all be dummies of course).
Anyone have an experience with competition cakes being transported by plane?
At the same time, I'll use this as a chance to enjoy San Diego (it's my first time there) with my partner. I'll lean toward the vacation part so if I don't even place, I won't feel that bad.
Nope, but I wanted to say don't worry. You'll know you'll do fine.
I too have no advice on transporting, just wanted to wish you luck, you will blow them away, your cakes are awesome!
Well from what I've seen they do a majority of the work and travel with the cake assembled, as in driving to the competition. Your in Las Vegas and it's in San Diego, so thats not too bad of a drive if you take that route. They also finish up their detail work at the competition. And if I'm not mistaken, cause I know they did last year, ICES has a place you can go to, to do repairs if needed. If you gonna box them, I'm guessing lots of bubble wrap in a huge box with lots of peanuts...or you might call those styrofoam pieces popcorn, but you get my drift.
Rylan, why don't you contact someone like Sylvia Weinstock? I know she travels with real cakes all the time, so I am sure she has some good ideas....and it can't hurt to ask!
I also agree, they better watch out, your cakes are breathtaking!! Good luck, and above all, have fun!
Labellaflor, thanks for the tips. I was originally driving there but I had to switch plans. I was already thinking of the styrofoam peanuts but I was afraid that it would be too firm and might leave indentations to my fondant (my chocolate fondant takes a very long time to dry). I'm thinking of using cotton but I'm worrying about the lint getting through the darker fondant. I was wondering if there are any other ways I can package it. As for the detail work, I would finish some at the hotel.
Cindy, thanks a lot. I will contact her right now.
I wish I had that cake safe.
Make sure you include a CLEAR acetate panel in your packaging - it helps if people can SEE all your hard work!
Doesn't matter how much you explain things sometimes people just need to SEE!
Shave your beard and don't dress like a drug-runner! 
You should pm Sugarshack. Sharon travels with cake dummies and they have been fine so maybe she could offer some advice. Good luck.
When Fran and Nati (& Min) did their PC Madhatters course in Sydney - they had to fly back home to Melbourne and TWO of the cakes were DESTROYED going through the x-ray scanning device (no care was taken by airport staff) and they were tipped over on the conveyor.
Although ....thinking OUR airport security is a LOT more vigilant than in the US- I've had to nearly strip off going through to bloody stop that metal detector! hehe With both of my 20-something daughters laughing their heads off on the other side tossing out comments like..... "They just want to get you NA-KED Mum !! eeewww!!
Just make sure you post some pix of the cakes after it's all over. I know they'll be spectacular.
Donna, I contacted her but she is away right now. Thanks for the heads up.
Pam, can't believe that happened. Wow, I'll make sure everything is safe. I have no idea how airlines are nowadays, its been a while since I rode a plane.
Poohsmomma, I will. Thanks!
now i have NO experience in delivering cakes but could you maybe pad around the cake with some sheets of foam? Like not the hard stuff just a softer medium density foam and that way you won't get any dints on your cake and of course that will only work is you don't have awhole lot of small delicate details on the side that could break off. If you need to fill in some areas you could always cut up some of the foam which will be softer than the packaging peanuts.
Anyhoo not sure but just throwing it out there lol Good luck!
that's ok it's just cose recently i was thinking about packaging for a gumpaste figure i am going to make so i needed to make it really safe so decided to try to put it in a groove between 2 pieces of foam in a box and hopefully that will cushion it enough for no bit of it to get damaged or atleast minimize it while being posted.
You could maybe go down to a store that cut pieces of foam up for different sizes for different purposes cose that's what i am going to do soon and they would have lots of different densities to choose from and maybe might be able to help as well
what about one of those clear cake boxes that someone invented. perhaps they could adapt it to have a small spike inthe bottom to go into the cake board to stop it shifting and a shorter spike that comes in from the top, since yours will be styrofoam and not able to push it all the way through. Then your cake would be centered and visible to everyone. You might even see if they would discount it and you can take lots of pictures for them on how the cake travels and fairs at the end. I agree your cake needs to be visible for anyone to take a little more care with it. good luck.
Just wanted to say good luck! I don't have any ideas on how to get your cake there safely but I'm learning alot from reading the posts that offer advise . Best of luck to you, can't wait to hear about your trip.
Speaking of contacting someone...what about Duff? He's had episodes or maybe just one???.... where he travelled via plane with cake. Not sure if he's a generous fellow but maybe?
Oh - and I'm sure you've done this but what are the airline rules? Are there things to make it easier? Just a thought - Good Luck & don't forget to have a blast!!!!
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