Customer Reviews

Glamour Cakes

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased this book with hopes of finding something new, innovative or provocative with some great looking cakes. I was let down with this book. The cakes are either very elementary or old-fashioned and I felt that it's a bit misleading when the author gives instructions for "painting" on cakes. He uses a food pen to "draw" the pictures, not paint, and I was very disappointed with that. Nothing new and not worth the price in my opinion.

Eric Lanlard is suppose to be one of the best cake decorator of the stars in UK so I quickly bought it. Big MISTAKE! as I was flipping through the book page after page of pictures are so uninspiring and the designs sad to say looks too dated and old fashioned. The cakes in the pictures aren't perfect, I could see some flaws which is a bid turn off for me. Moreover, he relies to much on using molds like the chocolate fan and when making the marzipan fruits, I find that bit too impractical. I thought I would be learning new techniques here but no look elsewhere. For me, this book is a total waste of time and money.

I was looking for some ideas for my mother's birthday cake when I came across this book. Having not attended any celebrity birthdays, I was unaware of how ornamental cakes had become. While most of the techniques appear intimidating at first, the step by step instructions are very helpful. I believe that with some basic background and a lot of patience, most people should be able to create the cakes in the book. The photographs of the various cakes have opened my eyes to what is possible in the way of cake decorating. I look forward to my first attempt next week.

I have been a fan of Chef Eric Lanlard's since I first visited his fabulous shop in London. This book is a must have for home cooks who want to impress their guests with professional creations. Give the macaron recipe a shot -- there are so few bakeries and patisseries that do macarons well that your friends and party guests will be blown away by what you were able to make at home.

The photography is beautiful.
The ideas are simple (in style) and elegant.
The directions are straightforward.
Really good idea book - a jumping off point.

Bought both books by author ,Master cakes and Glamour Cakes , found that there was serious overlap , beautiful books but no need for both,

I must say I disagree with the last review about "imperfect" and "not creative" I find it to be not accurate on many levels.
On my last visit to London, I stopped by the shop of Eric Lanlard, and was thrilled to taste some of his fabulous delectable cakes! Not only is he one of the most talented in today's scene, he is a pleasure in an industry where so often the ego precedes the talent. With that being said, I was thrilled to see a book by such an amazing patissiere and now I too am able to create my own innovative "Lanlard Inspired" delights for my friends and family!! I found difficult techniques easy to follow here also!
I've even started doing some baking for caterers now, which has enhanced my income, during a difficult time in our economy! If he good enough for Madonna, he's good enough for me. Thank you for a book I don't want on the shelf. It's even "perfect" enough to keep out, so I bought 2! (One is for the coffee table)
Cheers Eric! Simply Gorgeous!!!

Glamour Cakes, although full of "pretty" cakes, doesn't offer any new inspiration. The techniques used by this cake designer are the same as those currently being employed by many of the top designers in the industry. I was disappointed at the lack of innovation. I would still be pleased to have this book on my shelf, except that many of the "details" on the photographed cakes were not executed as cleanly/perfectly as they should have been. I found these imperfections to be very distracting.

This book has great step by step photos and directions for all the cakes featured. Some of the cakes are a bit ambitious but that is why you buy instructional books, to increase your knowledge and to push you to try new things.

This book is the perfect gift or coffee table book...I can not stop reading it and the recipes are unique and different. Not to mention that Eric Lanlard has to be the most handsome pastry genius going today. BUY THIS BOOK.