Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Decorating Course.... Part 1

I know I know, I just did a post on a decorating course. But as I mentioned in the earlier post, this new course is a much more professional course, and after just one session, I'm in love with it. I learnt quite a lot, and was even excited enough to come home and practice what I'd learnt the next day :D

I learnt how to bake a rich fruit cake, and the basics of how to pipe with Royal Icing. Below is a detailed account of the session, do read on :

The guys who I'm learning from, and all the other students and Catholics. For some reason, I don't know if this is something that happens only here in India, but they lovvve the rich fruit cake. Every occasion warrants a few of those cakes. So ofcourse, they taught us that, and I can now bake one perfectly, even though it's not something I'm used to.


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They then taught us how to make Royal Icing, with real egg whites. Moving onto the piping, the part I was really looking forward to. :D
The first session only involved the basics, such as dots, lines, drop strings, cornelli etc. In the picture above, is the first line I ever made, and I was quite pleased that I did so well in my first attempt. However, I had major problems getting it to work later [not pictured :P]

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That's me trying to do the cornelli and trellis work. For piping, they gave us each a few decorating tips, and a reallly painful syringe type icing gun that people used manyyy years ago. They said they prefer using that, but after just one hour of using that, I gave up, as you can see above. I was just getting the basic method done, promising to practice at home. I still have a sore thumb - from all the pressing on the gun - today, 2 days later!

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That's why, when practicing at home, I used the usual disposable plastic decorating bag. Worked like a charm :)

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I haven't got about to buying a turntable yet, so this is the setup I created. Funny, but it works :P

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Doing the drop strings - I haven't perfected it yet, but it's surprisingly easy. I didn't bother with marking and measuring, I just made them as I felt like :P

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WARNING : Do not try to re-use a tip that has dried up royal icing in it!!!
I wanted to switch back to tip #1 for completing the trellis work on the outer circle, but in the 20 minutes or so that I was using tip #3, the left over RI in the tip dried up. The bag burst all over me, when I thought just squeezing harder would push it all out, and I could use it :P [Yeah, I don't think too practiacally]



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That's the extent of my patience, and sitting in one place do something of the sort. After the bag burst, I was just too frustrated to continue. I justified with saying that I learnt how to do lines, I could always do the rest some other time [As you probably understood by now, I'm super lazy]

Though ofcourse, you can clearly see in the picture, I haven't really learnt how to do the trellis work. I don't like the tip #3 at alll!!! :(

I should improve soon enough, and atleast be able to make straight lines. HOPEFULLY!!

I WILL CONQUER OVER YOU, ROYAL ICING!!!!
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More on this course - Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11

26 comments:

  1. You u will definately will conquer my dear...m glad you enjoyed the class and i wish to join soon when m back :)

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  2. You are doing very well with your string work. Just a suggestion or two.

    * Make your RI a little less wet.
    * Keep it covered with a damp towel while you are using it.
    * Regarding the lace work. Tighten up the spaces a little more. It will look more natural.
    Keep up the good work.

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  3. Parita - Thanks for the vote of confidence! You must join it!

    Rose - Thanks for all your inputs. I did use the damp towel, I only didn't think to cover the tip I wasn't using! I will keep the other points in mind when I practice next. I really appreciate it :D

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  4. I think your piping looks great. I do have the patience for that! Certainly at great talent to develop!

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  5. Looks like great practice!! I need to do this. I've never actually thought about practicing on a pan- what a great idea!!

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  6. Oh my working with royal icing can be a pain in the bum. You do beautiful work, keep it up!

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  7. First time here....really yummylicious blog....love those cakes and muffins.....nice informative post on deco of cake....

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  8. that looks like so much and i think you did an excellent job! i need to take a go at my icing skills (or lack thereof, for me). :)

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  9. RecipeGirl - I too read about it somewhere and loved it. Great way to practice without having to make too many cakes :)

    Robin Sue - It sure can. Thanks!

    Kitchen Flavours - Thank you so much for stopping by.

    Kiss my Spatula - Thanks so much. Its really an easy skill to develop!

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  10. It looks easy, but it is really hard! Good job!

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  11. hey, i'm impressed. i just can't do stuff like this.

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  12. Dutch Girl - It isn't really that hard. It just needs practice, and a lil bit of patience, which I don't seem to have!

    Justin - Thank you. Are you saying that after having tried, or not?

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  13. I need to take a decorating class!!! I bet you are having a lot of fun! Thanks for the kind comments on my blog! :)

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  14. Thanks for the interesting post! I'd love to follow cake decorating courses...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  15. Jamie - I'm totally loving the class :) You deserve those comments :)

    Rosa - You're welcome!

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  16. I've had the bag burst on my a time or two=) Not fun, but I love that its much easier to cleanup than buttercream. Great job on piping, keep it up. I think you'll be hooked on to decorating and before you know it, you'll have spent money not only on a turntable, but on tips, spatulas, and other cool decorating tools you'll soon discover=)

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  17. YIMT - Lol I just bought a humongous turntable, along with some other decorating stuff! You were so right :P

    Ann - It sure is. Thanks :)

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  18. Hey,

    lovely blog you have here...

    which class are you attending? How long is it for?

    Cheers!

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  19. Raaga - Thanks, and if you give me your mail address, I'll sent out the details to you!

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  20. Hey there............. its really amazing to see how talented you are at such a young age.........Can u please lemme know where from you take classes for cake decorating........ i am esp. interested in learning sugarcraft and working with fondant......it would be a great help! Cheers!

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  21. Avanika, thanks a lot for all those posts on cake decorating. You bet I am going to be a regular on your blog to read and re-read and try to do stuff myself. Puhleez do also let me know how do I make gum paste at home in small quantities, substitutes that can be used etc. Keep those posts coming!!

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  22. Indira and Suma - Sorry I'm so late getting back to you. I think I've responded earlier? If not, please mail me, and I'll give you the details. And cookies to make up for being late <3

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  23. Can you please let me know where do you take the classes and also if possible the store where I can get cake decorating supplies in Mumbai. I will like wise send you an email, or betterstill, you can do a blog post for people who bug you for this information.

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