Making fake/faux/dummy cakes using the standard styrofoam block has always been an environmental negative for me.  Not to mention the expense of shipping, sometimes more than he cost of the dummy itself..  To counter the negative aspects of the styrofoam I dismantle and reuse my foam dummies.  Those that can not be reused get recycled.  

Rice Krispy cereal pressed into a cake pan works well but they end up very heavy.  It does work well for modeling and forming odd shapes. In my latest search for a more "green" way or product to use as a dummy I found a tutorial using bread. Tough enough to hold up to normal decorating but not so dense.

Later this summer I will make and compare the different ways I know of to make faux cake dummies.  Until then here is the link to the faux bread, um, I mean cake tutorial.

Faux Cake Tutorial link

I hate, hate, hate having to disqualify an entry from competing.  It breaks my heart to see a beautiful entry that I know someone has worked very hard to make disqualified.  How do I prevent that from happening?  I blog about it!  

Reading the rules is so important.  If you do not understand a rule it is important to call, email or text me.  I want you to succeed and I want your entries to get judged.  I will take all inquiries and answer all of your questions.  It's okay, bug me! 

The biggest violation is in regards to copyright infringement.  There is a lot of information on the internet about it but it can be confusing.  Simplest way to look at it is if someone or a company has created a design they own that design and you cannot duplicate it without permission.  Examples are college and high school logos, logos for companies, and most violated in cakes is Disney and Marvel characters.  Typically if the stories/books were written before 1941 (need to verify that year!) they are no longer covered by copyright.  For example you can make Snow White and 7 Dwarves characters.  You CANNOT however make the version made so popular by Disney.  

Bottom line on copyright is if you are not sure ask if you're really not sure better to assume it is and use a different design.

The other big violator is the use of non-edible food items.  For example...hot glue is not something you would put on a real cake.  Although these entries are built on dummy cakes they are for competition and as such must be made as if on real cake.  For a display piece you could use materials that are not edible because it is for display only.  That won't work for competition because you are showcasing your skill in this art form.  You must always use edible materials.  The only exceptions are where you would use non-edible items on a REAL cake.  Examples would be wires in sugar flowers. Note that there must be a covering like floral tape and/or straws for inserting into real cake.  You will see a lot of different opinions about the use on non-edible items in/on real cake on the internet.  The only opinion that matters for this competition is that of the FDA.  If you have questions about what works and doesn't work...call me!

​Getting excited to see this years' entries!!

Go to my Links page to find links to the FDA and other good reads on the internet.

First of all I am excited to finally make time to start this blog.  We need a place to keep an archive of past competitions including photos and competition results.  I will do my best to keep it up to date.

I have made a couple of changes to the rules for 2017.  The most notably is the update on the FDA's recommendations for use of edible glitters on cakes.  I will be posting the information and links here and on my business page soon.

This is the third year for the new staff running the State Fair Grounds and the team running the Creative Living Department.  This year they are working hard to getting the website information with the handbooks etc. current and ready to go as early as possible.  Our first meeting of the year was delayed due to weather but we are all working hard behind the scenes to get things rolling for the 2017 Fair.

Our meeting is scheduled for February 16th. I will post more information about the competition after the meeting.