Cake! magazine by Australian Cake Decorating Network May 2014 | Page 78

Greg Cleary interview with There’s some confusion when it comes to fondant and gum paste what’s the difference? Fondant can work IF you live in a very dry climate, when I first started making flowers, I only used fondant, as I was living in Mt Isa, Qld which has a very hot, dry climate. Only when I moved to the coast I started using Modelling paste. Do you have any tips for inserting wires into petals? Always cut your wires on an angle, and moisten lightly with tylose glue/water or egg white. Don’t drown the wire as it will not stick properly. In terms of colouring sugar flowers what are the best methods to use in order to get the most realistic finish? I use an airbrush and highlight with chalks/petal dusts What colours do you use to achieve the deep romantic red for your stunning red roses? I use Red Powder colour, but red gel can also work. When making red flowers it is best to start with a PINK base colour and then add red to achieve a true red colour. From just five years old Greg Cleary has been captivated by the world of cake. That interest ignited a passion, and 30 years later he’s now known as one of Australia’s most elite cake designers. Written by Marianna Saran A mastermind of sugar flowers, Greg shared some of his secrets with The Australian Cake Decorating Network to help our readers get their flowers looking unbelievably realistic. We’re also ecstatic to announce that Greg will be adding a touch of Spring to Winter with the blooms he’ll be teaching at our next Cake Camp in Queensland in June! Prior to becoming a cake decorator you were a florist, has this helped you in your sugar artistry, particularly when it comes to making flowers? It has in some ways, but I believe the best way to recreate flowers/foliage in sugar is to have a real life sample to work from. A very clear detailed photograph is also handy if fresh product not available What do you make your sugar flowers out of? All my sugar flowers and Foliage are made from my own recipe, for sugar modelling paste If you wanted to make an unusual flower, where cutters are not readily available, how would you go about it – what steps would you take? I would hand cut the petals, with a scalpel. This is what we had to do when I first started, we did not have the luxury of cutters. When creating sugar flower arrangements what tips can you give people when they are deciding what flowers and colours go nicely together? Is there a rule of thumb you follow? Understanding the colour wheel and also don’t over complicate things. Less is MORE! What’s your creative process for coming up with designs for your cakes that consist of that wow factor? I try not to follow trends. Stick to your strengths and trust your gut instinct, who knows you could start the next trend. It’s frowned upon for health and safety reasons to insert wires directly into a cake. What’s the best way to secure an arrangement on a cake? Arrange you flowers into posy picks, or flowers can be arranged into a piece of icing covered oasis, and attached to cake with royal icing For those that do dummy cakes for shop fronts etc. do you have any storage tips to keep sugar flowers looking fresh and not faded? Try to keep displays out of direct sunlight, and avoid using Purples and Mauves, these fade out before your eyes.