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.