Customer Reviews

Quick and Clever Party Cakes (Sugarcraft and Cakes for All Occasions)

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

 

 

Lindy Smith is one of the most exciting designers of novelty cakes out there, with a fresh and lively style that exudes innovation and imagination. The cakes here, which are mostly intended for children, are often cute, but never cutesy. Her style is detailed, though she's working in bolder strokes here than in her previous book, "Hobby Cakes", since these are, at least nominally, supposed to be quick cakes. Speed is relative, and here I think that "quick" means that an experienced amateur should be able to decorate each cake in no more than 8-10 hours, but the results are worth the effort.

I bought this book in the hopes of finding rather satisfactory and helpful techniques of actually "how to make" some of these novelty cakes. I was extremely disspointed in the very little explanations it did provide. I am an experienced pastry chef who has been in the business for over 11 years, and I have to say that this book doesn't offer a lot of practicality. The pictures are great to look at (as you would a painting in a Museum) but the there is little detail or tips on the how to achieve the results you are looking for. I returned this book this morning for a refund and do not recommend it.

"Blanche", Montreal, QC

This is a fun book. It is well done and easy to use. I always enjoy the fun Lindy Smith puts into her creations. Excellent for a beginner and fun for the advanced. There is such a bit of whimsy about her things, you always smile when making a cake with her ideas. These cakes can be made and done wihout having to tie up your kitchen and table for days on end, too. The Ballet Star cake is sure to please any girl up to about 12 or so and the Catapiller Cake is my favorite. He is adorable and she uses real cabbage leaves to impress the fondant on the cake board so it seems real. There's a purse for the more sophiticated. The down side of these cakes is their size. You would really have to put most of these cakes onto bigger cakes in order to fed all but the smallest group, but that is certainly doable.

Jam packed with great Lindy Smith ideas, executed in her own inimitable way! Fabulously bold techniques and colours