Cake Decorating

OSSAS Grand National Wedding Cake Competition

I’m so excited (and probably even more nervous) about entering my first cake show competition ever! Just wondering if anyone has any tips, advice, warnings, etc. they’d be willing to share with me? I have my design concept, but it requires gold highlighter dust…is this an approved medium to use in competitions? I’d appreciate any insight! You all are wonderful!!!

24 Replies

Pamela I am not sure how strict the OSSAS judges are but I know the competitions I have entered they don’t like inedible dust. I tend to use the crystal color’s Antique gold by sugarpaste. All of their colors are FDA approved.

Advice on entering would be to read the rules very carefully and make sure you follow them so you don’t get disqualified.

Just be warned competitions are very addicting..lol

Jennifer, https://www.facebook.com/PrimaCakesandCookies

Thank you Prima Cakes! I know the rules state that disco dust is allowed, but only on lift off decorations only. My design has lots of royal icing piping that I was planning on using the highlighter on, so not sure if that counts. :-/

I have heard that they are addicting! I’m hoping it will be worth the time/effort/money I put into it!

Is would say if you are going to use it on the royal icing I would use an edible gold. Royal icing would not be considered Lott off decorations.

Jennifer, https://www.facebook.com/PrimaCakesandCookies

Hi, I’m also a first-time competitor this year! I’m excited, but really nervous! haha. I was also looking for some helpful tips/info from others who have competed before. I’ve been to the competition several times as a viewer, and I’m always in awe! Cake decorating is more of a hobby/side job, as I’m also a full-time online high school English teacher, and full-time mom to 3 boys. Ha! Anything to make this experience a little easier, less stressful, and more enjoyable would be welcomed! :)

I’m also wondering how literal, and liberal, other competitors are being with interpreting the theme of Fashion Week. I’ll admit, I had a hard time with this one, as it is not something I’m normally interested in. Haha. But I think I have a nice design worked out. :)

Hi Julie, I just went with something related to fashion. I’ve wondered about how liberal we can be with the theme. The rules say it is wide open to interpretation, so I’m hoping mine fits the bill. It will be fun to see what everyone comes up with. I just wish I would have started on mine sooner…I underestimated the time involved! Hope to see you there. Good luck!

Whenever I use an edible gold luster, I always tint the icing, fondant, gumpaste, whatever beneath it a “gold” color, (I use ivory and egg yellow colorings). The highlighter will cover anything, but the luster dust needs a color underneath to achieve a similar look. Also, with metallics, lemon extract usually works best to bring out the shine, and it smells awesome too. Good luck! Are you entering the wedding cake competition or a different category? So much fun, and I recommend trying cheesecake on a stick!

Thank you adorncakes! I am entering the wedding cake category. :-) And I definitely well try the cheesecake on a stick!

Hi ladies! I went to OSSAS last year and competed for the first time.

1. Gold- They are very strict and so I went with the reg gold luster dusts vs the Albert version.
2. Interpretation- You will frame a picture of the dress next to the cake. It has to be from fashion week. If it’s not it will be disqualified. However it can be from previous years of fashion week. As long as they can see where you pulled your design from the dress you are fine. However if it’s not easily seen then they may mark you off.
3. Time- It took me 3 months to do my cake. Although I did have lots of flowers. This cake show is all about precision. Much harder than any other show I entered. Also just fyi the goodies for the regular show are off the hook!! The winnings for the Wedding competition are for 1-10 I believe only.

Actually now that I remember it the cuffs around the draping are Albert Uster so I got away with it. LOL

Your cake is fabulous LoveBlossomsCakery! Thank you for your response. Now I’m quite worried! I’ve already spent over well over 50 hours and quite a bit of money on my design. When the rules stated “design ideas can be wide open”, I took that to mean anything in the realm of fashion…. OH NO!!!!!!! :-/