Tuesday, November 19, 2019

STICK A FORK IN IT: How The Cake Reality Show Genre Went Stale

In the still-short history of reality TV, there haven't been 14 reality series about politics. Or sports. Or even fashion.

But there have been 14 reality shows about cake.


cake reality



It's officially the most oversaturated genre in reality television.

Besides helping to strengthen the connection between television and America's obesity epidemic, what have these programs accomplished?

Not too much: they've minted a few reality celebrities and left the rest of the hopefuls in the (flour) dust. Ratings are far from consistently strong across the genre.

And yet producers haven't grown weary of sugar -- still more shows are on the way.


source - https://www.businessinsider.com/cupcake-wars-food-network-cake-boss-tlc-2011-6/lightbox?r=AU&IR=T

14 people reveal their wedding cake horror stories, and they are cringe-worthy Read more at https://www.businessinsider.com/wedding-cake-horror-stories-reddit-2018-10#HICMwzTWiAEmwhyA.99

If you’ve ever ordered a tiered wedding cake, you already know that most will set you back at least a few hundred dollars. The expense is a reflection of the artistry involved in making a dessert that is not only beautiful and delicious but complicated to transport and set up. Unfortunately, there are so many steps between deciding on a budget and taking the first bite of your wedding cake, that any number of things can go wrong.




Reddit users described some of the worst wedding cake online disasters they have witnessed, which may have you double-checking references and seating your 5-year-old cousin away from the cake. As always, these are just for fun as INSIDER can’t independently authenticate the stories.



“My friend was having a big elaborate wedding and had a fancy Ace of Cakes delivery type of cake made. The baker was carrying it into the venue and tripped over the corner of a rug. The beautiful, custom designed cake went tumbling and landed upside down on the carpet. They ended up with Costco cakes and cheesecakes from a local bakery.” – Redditor canadian_maplesyrup



“My mother-in-law ordered a chocolate sheet cake delivery . I was happy with her choice as I was not very bothered with my wedding and delegated as much as possible. She had the idea to have our initials in white icing covering the cake. I am A, he is C. So we got this big brown glistening cake covered with CA CA. I am French and my husband is English. In France, ‘caca’ is poo (and I believe also understood as such in many languages). She was mortified when people starting to laugh, but I really did find it hilarious and told her not to worry about it.” – Redditor MacTaker
Read more at https://www.businessinsider.com/wedding-cake-horror-stories-reddit-2018-10#b3do9gZULGQhvcWc.99


source - https://www.businessinsider.com.au/wedding-cake-horror-stories-reddit-2018-10

Someone baked life-sized 'Game of Thrones' cakes and installed them by London's iconic Tower Bridge


A super-rich ‘Games of Thrones’ fan has put out a $US6.5 million plea for authentic show props so he can recreate iconic scenes on his 150-acre estate





You can also buy “Game of Thrones” Mountain Dew, toilet decals, ice cream, make-up, Adidas sneakers, whiskey, wine, and beer.

Just when it seemed that nothing else could possibly become “Game of Thrones”-themed, a few familiar faces arrived at London’s iconic Tower Bridge, courtesy of Stork baking spread.

Game of Thrones cake sculptures London

Game of Thrones cake sculptures London
Stork
Michelle Wibowo poses with her creation.
Stork commissioned food artist Michelle Wibowo to bake three statue-sized cakes online depicting Jon Snow, Sansa Stark, and Arya Stark from the show – and it was quite the undertaking.

According to Stork, each life-sized sculpture took 300 hours to make, and the largest statue depicting Snow is 173 cm tall and weighs an almost life-like 150 pounds.

In total, the statues weigh a combined 400 pounds in sponge and icing.

A survey of 1,500 Brits commissioned by Stork revealed that a season finale or TV show returning accounted for the reason why 19% of people bake.

It’s unlikely those people will go to the same lengths as Wibowo, though.

The eighth and final season of “Game of Thrones” premieres this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

source - https://www.businessinsider.com.au/game-of-thrones-cakes-life-size-installed-by-london-tower-bridge-2019-4

A baker creates incredible optical illusion cakes, from a White Claw can to a Doritos bag

A New Jersey baker creates incredible optical illusion cakes, from a White Claw can to a carton of eggs.
Luke Vincentini, 23, began baking when he was a child and fell in love with it. After a stint at the famous Carlo’s Bakery, he’s now churning out viral, hyperrealistic cakes as an independent cake artist.
Insider spoke with Vincentini about all things confectionery, and how he makes his incredible culinary creations.
Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
When you first look at one of LukeVincentini’s cakes, it appears to be just a can of White Claw or an ordinary Doritos bag.

But take a knife and cut down the middle, and you’ll discover a treasure of chocolate and cream.

The 23-year-old New Jersey native began baking when he was a child, and instantly fell in love with it. After a two-and-a-half-year stint at the famous Carlo’s Bakery, Vincentini is now churning out viral, hyperrealistic cakes as an independent cake artist.

Insider spoke with Vincentini about all things confectionery, and how he makes his incredible culinary creations.

Vincentini started baking when he was just 12 years old.

Luke Vincentini
Luke Vincentini has been baking for more than a decade.
“My dad was always in the kitchen, so I started baking small cupcakes for a weekly dinner thing we used to do,” Vincentini told Insider. “After that, I just fell in love with it.”


Read more:
A chef makes desserts that look like random everyday objects, and his optical illusions will play tricks on your eyes

Vincentini first taught himself how to bake by watching cake shows and YouTube videos.

Luke Vincentini
This cake looks like a bag of Doritos chips.
Once he had the fundamentals down, Vincentini took two master classes at Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey. Almost 10 years later, he ended up getting a job there. He left on good terms after two-and-a-half years.

Vincentini got the idea for his hyperrealistic cakes while looking at a bag of Doritos.

Luke Vincentini
The cut Doritos cake.
“I was at Carlo’s when I got the idea for my own social series,” Vincentini told Insider. “Cakes and bakeries can be such fads, and I wanted to make something that people would see and just be like ‘What the hell?'”

“One day I was looking at a bag of Doritos and was like, ‘I can probably do that.’ And I did, and that’s how it all started.”

He draws inspiration from everyday life, and keeps track of his ideas on his phone.

Luke Vincentini
This cake is shaped like a latte.
“I have a page in the Notes app on my phone where I just pop ideas as I go through my day,” Vincentini said. “I could be driving and see something I like and go ‘That looks cool,’ and it becomes a cake.”

Vincentini explained that he likes choosing “random and obscure” objects as models for his cakes. However, with all the recent social media attention, he said he plans to start choosing more familiar, pop culture-based objects in order to make it more fun for his audience.

Vincentini primarily uses buttercream, modelling chocolate, and fondant to make his cakes. Send cakes to India online

Luke Vincentini
This cake looks like a box of takeout.
Vincentini first “dirty ices” the cake – the term for a thin layer of icing that catches crumbs and acts as an adhesive – with buttercream, then layers fondant and modelling chocolate on top.

“For the trickier inscriptions, like the White Claw can, those were modelling chocolate,” Vincentini explained. He noted that modelling chocolate is firm and doesn’t pull when you cut it, unlike fondant.

To achieve the vibrant colours, Vincentini uses a special kind of edible paint.

Luke Vincentini
This cake looks like a strawberry.
Vincentini uses what’s called “gel colour,” which he said is a little thicker than food dye.

“Typically we’ll thin it out with Everclear or any other grain alcohol because of its quick-drying properties,” he said. “If you used water it would never dry and you’d be left with a giant mess.”

On average, it takes Vincentini around three to four hours to make a standard tiered same day cakes online.

Luke Vincentini
This online cakes looks like a lemon.
“I definitely spend more time on the cakes that go on my social series,” he told Insider. “The Doritos bag probably took 14 hours, but then the latte took less than an hour. It depends on the size and the detail.”

Vincentini said the White Claw cake took about six hours total to make.

Luke Vincentini
The famous White Claw cake.
“I thought it would be smart to do because there are shortages of White Claw in the US,” he said. “It’s insane. I thought that it would get the usual response from my followers, but it ended up blowing up.”

Vincentini said his recent spike in followers is due to his online cakes delivery being reposted on popular Instagram pages.

Luke Vincentini
This cake looks like a split log.
Vincentini said he noticed the uptick in followers after the latte cake, which he found surprising.

“I didn’t realise how large the coffee community was,” he said with a laugh. “ASMR and ‘satisfying’ pages, food blogs with millions of followers. Those are the big artsy pages on Instagram that reposted my stuff.”

Despite his large social media following, Vincentini said he remains humble.

Luke Vincentini
The split log cut in half, showing the layered cake within.
“If a professional cake decorator were to see the latte cake, they’d be like ‘Oh, that’s no big deal, I could do that,'” he explained. “Like I said, it took me less than an hour. But its fun and fascinating to see non-cake people and their reactions.”

This egg carton cake is Vincentini’s favourite.

Luke Vincentini
This cake looks like a carton of eggs.
While the White Claw cake was his biggest hit, this egg carton order cake online is Vincentini’s favourite from his Instagram series.

“I love those obscure and random objects,” he added.

Now that he has amassed a large following, Vincentini is more selective about the cakes he posts online.

Luke Vincentini
The egg carton cake cut in half.
Vincentini created an optical illusion cakes online of the core of a green apple, but ultimately decided not to post it on his Instagram.

“It wasn’t up to par with the rest of my work,” he said. “You see comments critiquing the cake and it puts it into your head. Not in a bad way, just to be the best of the best and really wowing people. That’s what its all about.”

Vincentini plans on expanding his social media presence in the future.

Luke Vincentini
This send cake to India looks like a messenger bag.
Vincentini is currently waiting for his kitchen to become certified so that he can start talking orders. He also told Insider that he plans on making a Facebook page in the near future to reach a larger audience.

“Everything has been blowing up so quickly,” he said. “I wish I had my s— together a little more before everything took off!”

Read more:

There’s an NYC wings spot that makes 18 different sauces – we tried their ‘cry sauce’

These spicy chicken wings might make you call 911

I’ve tried dozens of Vietnamese restaurants in NYC, and these are the 9 I recommend to friends

Taco Bell has a new menu dedicated to vegetarians, including meatless versions of the Crunchwrap Supreme and Quesarito


source - https://www.businessinsider.com.au/baker-created-cake-that-looks-exactly-like-white-claw-can-2019-10

My family's favourite holiday tradition has replaced typical gift-giving, and we don't miss the presents at all

Each year, my extended family works together to buy presents and food for a family in need, rather than purchasing gifts for each other.
This lets us enjoy Christmas shopping without feeling like we’re being frivolous.
It also helps us save money, because we’re purchasing fewer gifts.
Read more personal finance coverage.
Each year my mother, sister, and I go Christmas shopping together. We have our list, and we usually need to check it twice, because we’re never quite sure who we’re shopping for.

That’s because for the last five years, we’ve shopped for strangers. Rather than buying gifts for each other, my family (my husband, mum, and three siblings) “adopt” a family in need, buying them gifts and necessities to make their season brighter.

Gift-giving with meaning
My family has never been huge on gifts. As children, we loved when Santa would come, of course, but we never went overboard buying gifts for each other. Instead, the siblings would draw names and everyone would buy (and receive) one present.

As adults, even one gift felt a bit silly. We had everything we needed and the means to purchase things we wanted, so why go through the song and dance of purchasing for each other?

One year I had my brother in the swap, and he asked that I donate to charity in his name. That planted a seed of giving to our community, rather than giving to each other.

Making a donation online was a bit anticlimactic, however. I didn’t get the thrill of finding the “perfect” gift. The next year, I saw an ad looking for groups to “adopt” homeless families for the holidays. This would let us be more active in giving to the community. My family was immediately on board.

Finding joy in gift-giving
Each year since, we’ve “adopted” a family through various community organisations. We get a wishlist of wants and needs from the family, and get to experience the fun of Christmas shopping.

But rather than feeling like we are giving into consumerism, we feel like we’re making an actual difference for people in need.

The first year, the family we selected had two young boys. Among their requested items were socks, underwear, and jeans. We were meant to pick one item off the list, but my husband was so saddened by the idea of kids without their basic needs met that he filled a cart to the brim with clothes and toys. The idea of those boys opening a plethora of online gifts delivery on Christmas morning kept us smiling all season.

The financial benefit
Sometimes, it’s tempting to go overboard shopping for people in need. That first year, my husband and I spent about $US500 on the family (in addition to what my siblings and mum spent). Still, we had the money, and we felt good about spending it on kids who needed clothes.


Since then we’ve been more disciplined with our Christmas budget, especially since we now shop for our own children as well. We usually pick gifts online for one or two “adopted” family members, while my siblings and mother take care of the rest. That saves us lots of money because we’re buying fewer gifts online.

More importantly, we feel better about spending the money because we’re making a real difference in people’s lives, rather than buying a sibling a kitchen gadget that they may or may not need or use.

Incorporating the kids
When my family started this tradition, my daughter was only 6 months old, so she had no expectation of Christmas presents. Now, she’s 5, my nephew is 2.5, and my second daughter is 15 months. They all know about, and want, presents.

Our family still does limited gifts for the kids. However, we’ve also made an effort to incorporate the children into our charity gift-giving. We request a family that has children of similar ages to ours. That way, it’s easy for our kids to help pick presents.

Last year I explained to my older daughter that other children don’t have as many toys as she does, and we’re helping their parents to provide them with a memorable Christmas. She hasn’t asked too many questions, but as all three kids grow, our family wants them to experience the joy of giving to others.

How to get involved
If your family (or friend group, work place, etc.) is interested in “adopting” a family for the holidays, it’s important to act early. Most charities ask for volunteers to notify them by mid-November so they can plan accordingly. Christmas contributions are usually due by mid-December to give the family time to prepare for the holiday.

We’ve found programs through a homeless shelter, a local community service group, and a visiting nurses’ association. There are also less formal gift-giving programs available through banks, schools, and other community organisations that host a “giving tree” where you select one present off the tree to buy (which is great for people or groups with a limited budget).

This year will mark the fifth Christmas that my family has shopped for people in need. “Adopting” a family allows us to focus on the holiday values that resonate with us, like community, charity, and family, while setting aside the things we don’t value, like mindless consumerism.

This Christmas, as we sip drinks and watch our kids open their presents, we’ll smile at the fact that a nearby family is having a brighter Christmas than they otherwise would have, because of our help.

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source - https://www.businessinsider.com.au/my-familys-feel-good-holiday-tradition-saves-us-money-on-gifts-2019-11

33 gifts anyone who just moved into a new apartment will appreciate not having to buy themselves

The best part of moving in to your first apartment or home is getting to create a space that’s all yours. Finding the perfect decor and picking out furniture is the exciting part, but after that comes all the expenses no recent grad or young professional wants to bare. A laundry hamper, pots and pans, bedding – these are just some of the distinctly un-fun, adult purchases they will reluctantly need to make.

Though you might be tempted to buy them some new decor for the walls, we recommend getting them some combination of the necessities they wish they didn’t have to spend their own money on, and the little luxuries that can make life infinitely better. Read on to see our picks for what they will really want this holiday season.

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days’ time, so don’t stress too hard about your last-minute shopping – just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.


Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks’ holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

A gift voucher or gift card to buy the best set of sheets they’ve ever slept on
image: https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5bc60e54b09cab14027dc962-1200.jpg


Brooklinen

Brooklinen Gift Card, from $US50

Our senior editor calls Brooklinen’s sheets one of the best purchases she’s ever made, and many of us at Insider Picks feel the same way. They will be able to choose from quite a few weaves/materials as well as a huge selection of fun prints and colours. A basic full set costs around $US130, for reference.

A personalised trinket tray for all their odds and ends
image: https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5bd78342da27f807cf6e02d8-1200.jpg


Nordstrom

McLaughlin Glazeware Initial Tray, available at Nordstrom, $US39

Catch-all trays are the kind of gift that may seem underwhelming until they realise how useful they are. That was certainly the case when I was gifted one after college. Now I have a few of them around my apartment – one for keys and sunglasses by the door, one for my rings and jewellery by the bed, and another in the living room for lip balm, candle matches, and other small items.

A robot vacuum that makes quick work of chores
image: https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5bd77ae801b12d05ff1e1105-1200.jpg


Eufy

Eufy RoboVac 11S, available on Amazon, $US219

Vacuuming is one of the great time-sucks in life – literally. Give them back their Sunday afternoons with the gifts online of a robot vacuum that will take the work out of cleaning the house. On a personal note, I can’t recommend this one enough. You can read a more thorough review of it here.

Stemless wine glasses that won’t spill or break as easily
image: https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5bd7831f110d4c08137c7f64-1200.jpg


Amazon

Riedel O Stemless Wine Glasses, available on Amazon, 4 for $US35.97

When my partner and I moved in together years ago, her mum bought us a nice set of tall, thin-stemmed wine glasses – likely because I had once served her Cabernet in a mason jar. Though I like using those to entertain occasionally, I prefer these stemless glasses that are much more casual and much less breakable (…kind of like a mason jar).

A single-serve blender for smoothies and small batches


image: https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5bd7835e110d4c08137c7f67-1200.jpg


Amazon

Nutribullet Blender, available on Amazon, $US49.99

They’re likely not going to need a full-sized blender for any reason other than making large batches of frozen margaritas. send Gifts to India online them a personal-sized blender for making healthy smoothies at home – and if they want to make a few frosty cocktails, they will just have to put in a little extra work.


Read more at https://www.businessinsider.com/gifts-for-new-apartment-2018-10#iWXSTGlWRhVetI3o.99

From a Champagne vending machine to a 007 Aston Martin, here are the over-the-top gifts on Neiman Marcus' gift guide for the ultra-wealthy

Neiman Marcus unveiled its 2019 Christmas Book, a curated collection of 800 holiday gift ideas, including eight ultra-luxe “Fantasy Gifts” with price tags that hit upwards of $US700,000.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts, which include hands-on excursions like customising your own pair of Christian Louboutins in Paris and sitting front row at New York Fashion Week.
We took a look at the Fantasy Gifts online and some of the most expensive items from the Christmas Book below.
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
If you’re a Neiman Marcus customer, holiday gifts are like a briefcase full of gold chocolate bars – you never know what you’re going to get.

The luxury department store just unveiled the 60th edition of its Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts, part of its annual Christmas Book that essentially serves as a guide to holiday shopping for the one per cent. If you’ve got just shy of a million dollars squirreled away for the perfect present, then Neiman Marcus has got you covered, whether you’re looking for a limited-edition Aston Martin car designed by Daniel Craig, a $US70,000 multi-story “pet paradise,” or a vending machine full of Moët champagne.

Read more: Here are the most absurdly expensive gifts on Neiman Marcus’ guide for the ultra wealthy

Neiman Marcus has published its Christmas Book since 1926, in what was then a 16-page booklet designed as a Christmas card for the department store’s top customers. In recent years, it has become known for its opulent, ostentatious gifts.

We took a look at this year’s Neiman Marcus Fantasy order Gifts online, as well as some of the most expensive items from the Christmas Book, below.

007 Aston Martin designed by Daniel Craig

Neiman Marcus
Price: $US700,007

James Bond actor Daniel Craig himself designed this limited-edition Aston Martin DBS Superleggera – and there are only seven available. (We see what you did there, Mr. 007.) The package also includes a luxury Omega watch with a hand-engraved case and two tickets to the world premiere of “No Time To Die.”


source - https://www.businessinsider.com.au/neiman-marcus-gift-guide-rich-aston-martin-louboutin-2019-10

Easy lemon layer cake

  Ingredients 225g unsalted butter, softened 225g caster sugar 4 large eggs 225g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 75g natural yogurt 1...