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Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #39: Food

 

Hello, everyone! I am so excited and very honored to be taking over the challenges from the amazing @Bakerloo Station. Thank you, Christine, for creating so many wonderful challenges over the years. I think we can all agree that they have helped us to grow to become better cookiers all around. And thank you, @Julia M. Usher, for entrusting me to continue these challenges, and for providing a community where we can all share and grow together as cookie artists. Now, on to our challenge!

To start with, I must confess that I am one of those people who loves a good April Fool's joke. And since this challenge happens to run through April Fool's Day, I thought it would be fun to turn Cookie Connection into "Food" Connection! Not real food, of course, but rather cookies so realistic looking that people will be wondering why someone posted last night's dinner to the clip set.

To show you what I mean, here are some great examples of realistic looking food cookies that give no hint that they are not what they appear to be:

Bread and Jam Cookies by @Ryoko ~Cookie Ave.Bread and Jam Cookies - Ryoko -Cookie Ave.

Life-Size Pizza Cookie by @KellyMadeThatLife Size Pizza Cookie - KellyMadeThat

BBQ Rib Cookies by @Patricia JohnsonBBQ Rib Cookies - Patricia Johnson

Doritos Cookie-fied by @Chua Cookie, based on tutorial by Bearfoot BakerDoritos CookieFied - Chua Cookie

The Steak by @Le Monnier du BiscuitThe Steak - Le Monnier Du Buscuit

Miniature Bakery by @NoaaMiniature Bakery - Noaa

Miniature Italian Food by @EvelindecoraMiniature Italian Food - Evelindecora

Before we get into the details of the challenge, let's talk about our PRIZE! One lucky entrant will be chosen at random from among all of the challenge entrants to receive the entirety of Cookie Connection host @Julia M. Usher's CookieCon 2020 swag bag!

IMG_1198CookieConBagEditedBORDER

Julia reports that this bag contains three stencils; one Ultimat work mat by Creative Cookier; one mold; assorted sprinkles, dusts, and food coloring (six); pastry bags, clips, and tips (four); various labels and magnets (three); lots of cookie cutters (15); and the pièce de résistance, the special five-piece CookieCon instructor-designed cutter set made by Ann Clark (pictured front left)! Wow!

For this challenge, I want you to take a good look at your food - really study it. Think about how you might recreate it in cookie form. How would you recreate the look of freshly baked bread; a bowl of sweet, juicy berries; or a triple brownie sundae, smothered in extra hot fudge sauce? What different media would you use to create your masterpiece - royal icing, fondant, isomalt, wafer paper, candy melts? What techniques would you use - stippling, painting, wet-on-wet? The possibilities are endless.

Since the "food" that you create will be unique to you, I will leave it up to you to research your project to determine which techniques and media are best to use for your particular entry. The goal for this challenge is to create a "food" cookie (or cookies) so realistic looking that only progress shots will convince us that it's not the real thing. So, be creative and use your imagination.

RULES:

PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY. The last thing I would want is to have to disqualify an entry because someone failed to read ALL of the rules!

1. Create one cookie or a set of cookies that are a realistic representation of a food item or items.

2. Your cookie(s) must include both a solid and a liquid food item. Beverages (including smoothies and shakes), thicker liquids (e.g. honey, purées, sauces, gravies, etc.), and other pourable items (e.g. syrups, glazes, pourable icings, etc.) are acceptable forms of liquid food. For the purpose of this challenge, condiments (e.g., ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.) and other soft solids or gel-type foods (e.g., sour cream, custard, whipped cream, etc.) will also be considered liquid food items.    

3. You must use at least two different types of media (e.g., royal icing, fondant, isomalt, wafer paper, etc.).

4. You must use at least two different techniques (e.g., stippling, painting, pressure piping, wet-on-wet, etc.).

5. Anything in your photo that represents something edible must be made with sweets (e.g., cookies, icing, other forms of sugar, etc.). For example, if you want a piece of parsley to garnish your steak cookie, then that parsley must be made out of sweets. Inedible food accessories (e.g., cutlery, plates, napkins, etc.) are allowed as props for styling your photo.

6. Your design must be completely original, and not a copy of any other artist's work. And, remember, no copyrighted designs may be used without written permission.

7. And because Cookie Connection is all about learning and sharing, I would love for you to share in the comments section under your entry:
  • the techniques and media that you used,
  • what you are most proud of,
  • what you might do differently,
  • what you learned, and,
  • if you are able, step-by-step photos so that we can all learn together.

8. As always, we ask that you make a brand new cookie project for this challenge.

TO ENTER:

  • Please post an image of your cookie OR cookie set to the site under the Practice Bakes Perfect clip set no later than May 3, 2020 at 5 pm central.
  • Because these challenges are ongoing, we ask that you put "Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #39" in your photo caption AND in a tag, so that we can tell the challenges apart from month to month. Please use the main title field to uniquely name your cookies as you normally would.
  • Please also assign other relevant clip sets and tags to your images, as you normally would (meaning don't just use the Practice Bakes Perfect clip set and leave it at that, or your photos won't easily be found with keyword searches).
  • You can enter more than once, but please post only one clip of each distinct entry. Multiple clips of the same entry are not allowed unless added in a comment beneath the one primary clip.
  • Prizes are given entirely at random. This means that everyone who participates in the challenge has an opportunity to be rewarded with a fantastic prize!

After the challenge has closed on May 3, we will announce the winner in the Saturday Spotlight on May 9. The next challenge will be announced about a week after that Spotlight.

And, remember, these challenges are NOT a competition. They are intended to inspire and motivate you to step outside of your comfort zone, to experiment and be creative, and to try something new. The goal is for you to challenge yourself artistically and technically, and to develop your skills so that you may reach your full potential as a cookie artist, and, of course, the goal is also to have fun along the way.

I can't wait to see what you create. If you have any questions about this challenge, or if you are looking for ideas, technical advice, or creative help - or if you just want to talk cookies - I would love to chat. You can leave me a comment below, or you can send me a private Cookie Connection message.

ChristineCROPPEDChristine Dutcher's journey as a cookier began in early 2013 when an online search led her to the amazing world of cookie decorating. After spending countless hours learning all that she could, Christine decorated her first set of cookies in October 2013. In 2016, she decided that she would begin to focus on perfecting her skills, challenging herself each time to create more detailed and progressively complex pieces of cookie art. In 2019, Christine became one of the very first sugar artists from around the world to be named as an "Honourary PME Five Star Sugar Artist" by Knightsbridge PME. You can learn more about Christine's work here on Cookie Connection, and by following her Facebook and Instagram pages.

Photo credit: Christine Dutcher

Note: Practice Bakes Perfect is a bimonthly Cookie Connection blog feature written by Christine Dutcher that poses inspiration or challenges to get you to stretch as a cookie artist - for practice, for prizes, and for fun! Its content expresses the views of the author and not necessarily those of this site, its owners, its administrators, or its employees. Catch up on all of Christine's past Cookie Connection posts here.

Attachments

Images (10)
  • Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #39 Banner: Photo by Steve Adams; Logo Courtesy of Sweet Prodigy; Cookie and Graphic Design by Julia M Usher
  • Bread and Jam Cookies: Cookies and Photo by Ryoko ~Cookie Ave.
  • Life-Size Pizza Cookie: Cookies and Photo by KellyMadeThat
  • BBQ Rib Cookies: Cookies and Photo by Patricia Johnson
  • Doritos Cookie-fied: Cookies and Photo by Chua Cookie
  • The Steak: Cookies and Photo by Le Monnier du Biscuit
  • Miniature Bakery: Cookies and Photo by Noaa
  • Miniature Italian Food: Cookies and Photo by Evelindecora
  • CookieCon 2020 Swag Bag Prize: Prize Donated by Julia M Usher; Photo by Julia M Usher
  • Christine Dutcher: Photo Courtesy of Christine Dutcher

Sweet Prodigy

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Comments (40)

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I love it too! This one is going to be super fun, people, so get your challenge game on! Congrats, @Sweet Prodigy! Great to have you on board.

Everyone, a more in-depth bio for Christine was also posted here today. Check it out too!

Icingsugarkeks posted:

Aaaaaaaah!!! Super!!!! Love it totally dear Christine!!  @Sweet Prodigy  Congratulation to your amazing first challenge!!! ❤️😘

Thanks Gabi. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Julia M. Usher posted:

I love it too! This one is going to be super fun, people, so get your challenge game on! Congrats, @Sweet Prodigy! Great to have you on board.

Everyone, a more in-depth bio for Christine was also posted here today. Check it out too!

Thank you, Julia! 

Wow!!!!!!!

You start with an A+ this serie of challenges Christine! I love it, I think I’ll absolutely give it a try. Thank you for posting my cookie too. Tomorrow I’ll work on a new miniature food cookie for sure ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Evelindecora posted:

Wow!!!!!!!

You start with an A+ this serie of challenges Christine! I love it, I think I’ll absolutely give it a try. Thank you for posting my cookie too. Tomorrow I’ll work on a new miniature food cookie for sure ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Glad you like this one Evelin! @Evelindecora Can't wait to see your work! ❤️

Looking at my cookie here made me wake up fully, what a surprise!
Wow, this is challenging.... because I won't make bread and jam cookies anymore.  😨

This is going to be fun😍 Thank you, Christine.   I am very happy to have something I can concentrate on.  

Last edited by Ryoko ~Cookie Ave.
Ryoko ~Cookie Ave. posted:

Looking at my cookie here made me wake up fully, what a surprise!
Wow, this is challenging.... because I won't make bread and jam cookies anymore.  😨

This is going to be fun😍 Thank you, Christine.   I am very happy to have something I can concentrate on.  

I am happy too. I will be excited to see your masterpiece. ❤️ @Ryoko ~Cookie Ave.

Oh this sounds like FUN!!! The examples you included in this introduction are amazingly realistic. Such incredible work by many talented artists. We're clearly off to a great start Christine @Sweet Prodigy!! Can't wait to dive in .

Cookies Fantastique posted:

Oh this sounds like FUN!!! The examples you included in this introduction are amazingly realistic. Such incredible work by many talented artists. We're clearly off to a great start Christine @Sweet Prodigy!! Can't wait to dive in .

Yay, Carol! @Cookies Fantastique I will look forward to seeing your entry. 

Kanch J posted:

Congratulations dear Christine! @Sweet Prodigy for your first challenge!!! This will surely force us to learn many aspects of cookie decorating. Looking forward to take part.

Thank you @Kanch J. Looks like the challenge is living up to it's name.

La Shay by Ferda Ozcan posted:

Wow Christine, this’s an absolute challenge. I haven’t made a food cookie before. Definitely will give it a go.

Congratulations on your first challenge. So happy to see you on board! 

Yay, Ferda! I am glad you will be trying this. And thank you.  @La Shay by Ferda Ozcan

It was like Christmas when I opened this post to see what the latest challenge is! What an AWESOME idea! The wheels in my head are already spinning. And might I say the examples you gave for his challenge are crazy impressive. It will take some serious thinking and planning to even attempt to top those! 

Congratulations on this first challenge! I am wishing you the joy of many, many more, Dear Christine @Sweet Prodigy! xoxox

Bakerloo Station posted:

It was like Christmas when I opened this post to see what the latest challenge is! What an AWESOME idea! The wheels in my head are already spinning. And might I say the examples you gave for his challenge are crazy impressive. It will take some serious thinking and planning to even attempt to top those! 

Congratulations on this first challenge! I am wishing you the joy of many, many more, Dear Christine @Sweet Prodigy! xoxox

THANK YOU Christine! @Bakerloo Station 😊💙

GinkgoWerkstatt posted:

Wuih, this will be truly a challenge! But also very interesting and I really can't wait to see what everyone will create! Totally excited!

I'm looking forward to seeing all of the creations too! @Former Member

Elke Hoelzle posted:

Thank you!! How exciting! Christine, do you mind telling me what stippling is? I never heard of this before. I am quite behind on my studies here in Cookie Connection.

Hi @Elke Hoelzle. Stippling is when you apply icing to the cookie and then dab it with a brush to get a stippled effect. This video by @SweetAmbs is a great example of how to stipple. And her classic grill cookies video shows how she applied it to food (at about 3:40 seconds in).

I have noticed that not everyone is identifying both the solid and the liquid food items in their entries. I want to remind you that including BOTH a solid AND a liquid food item is a requirement of the challenge. If your entry does not include both components, it won’t be considered for the Saturday Spotlight feature or the random prize. So please be sure to include and describe both your solid and your liquid food items.

** RULE #2 CLARIFICATION **

Rule #2 has been revised with the underlined parts added to clarify the definition of a liquid food item. This rule is meant to add another layer to the challenge and to increase the number of techniques and media that you use, hence the broad definition of the term "liquid." 

2. Your cookie(s) must include both a solid and a liquid food item. Beverages (including smoothies and shakes), thicker liquids (e.g. honey, purées, sauces, gravies, etc.), and other pourable items (e.g. syrups, glazes, pourable icings, etc.) are acceptable forms of liquid food. For the purpose of this challenge, condiments (e.g., ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.) and other soft solids or gel-type foods (e.g., sour cream, custard, whipped cream, etc.) will also be considered liquid food items. 

Last edited by Julia M. Usher
Sweet Prodigy posted:

I have noticed that not everyone is identifying both the solid and the liquid food items in their entries. I want to remind you that including BOTH a solid AND a liquid food item is a requirement of the challenge. If your entry does not include both components, it won’t be considered for the Saturday Spotlight feature or the random prize. So please be sure to include and describe both your solid and your liquid food items.

** RULE #2 CLARIFICATION **

Rule #2 has been revised with the underlined parts added to clarify the definition of a liquid food item. This rule is meant to add another layer to the challenge and to increase the number of techniques and media that you use, hence the broad definition of the term "liquid." 

2. Your cookie(s) must include both a solid and a liquid food item. Beverages (including smoothies and shakes), thicker liquids (e.g. honey, purées, sauces, gravies, etc.), and other pourable items (e.g. syrups, glazes, pourable icings, etc.) are acceptable forms of liquid food. For the purpose of this challenge, condiments (e.g., ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.) and other soft solids or gel-type foods (e.g., sour cream, custard, whipped cream, etc.) will also be considered liquid food items. 

Thanks for the clarification, Christine! And, everyone, DO be sure to read and follow all the rules! The prize is a doozy, and we want to include every entrant in the drawing! 

Yazz Ross posted:

Hola buenos días, tengo una duda : la publicación se sube en donde dice clip ? Donde he puesto las demás publicaciones que hago ? O se publica en otro lugar ? Gracias 

Sorry for the delayed response, @Yazz Ross. Today was a day off for me, and I'm just seeing this post. Yes, you upload to the "Clips" section as you normally would, but you must select the "Practice Bakes Perfect" clip set to enter. Please also select any other sets that also apply (such as "Cookies that Look Like Food", etc.). Hope that helps.

Translation: Perdón por la respuesta tardía, @Yazz Ross. Hoy fue un día libre para mí, y solo estoy viendo esta publicación. Sí, sube a la sección "Clips" como lo haría normalmente, pero debe seleccionar el conjunto de clips "Practice Bakes Perfect" para ingresar. Seleccione también cualquier otro conjunto que también se aplique (como "Cookies que se parecen a los alimentos", etc.). Espero que ayude.

Omg yay! I thought the challenges would be over, I'm glad they're not! I can't wait to participate!! 

Massive congratulations to you @Sweet Prodigy for this!! 

Last edited by Former Member
@Former Member posted:

Omg yay! I thought the challenges would be over, I'm glad they're not! I can't wait to participate!! 

Massive congratulations to you @Sweet Prodigy for this!! 

Thank you dear Joss! 💙😊 @Former Member

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