The next big thing in cake decorating

Modelling Chocolate – the next big thing in cake decorating.

After six months of testing and tens of kilos of chocolate, local Hawke’s Bay family business Gotcha Treats has finally perfected the recipe for Scolpt modelling chocolate – what they believe is the next big thing in cake decorating.

Traditional cake decorations are ironically either made of plastic and inedible or made from marzipan, an acquired taste at best. Amanda Gibbs, director of Gotcha Treats says her market research starts at home.

“If the kids won’t eat our products, no one will. According to our six year old Isobel, icing animals taste yuk. I think many grown-ups would agree.” It was feedback such as this and a never say die attitude that prompted Amanda to keep looking for a solution. “I’ve been working with chocolate for years but the cost of importing moulds for every occasion was prohibitive. After months of testing and mountains of disasters, I finally perfected the recipe for modelling chocolate.”

“I work with chocolate every day so it made perfect sense. There are some recipes of sorts around and I’ve tried them all. Unfortunately the end product is either brittle or doesn’t blend well which is hopeless when you go to add colour. My recipe and blending process is a closely kept secret!

The product is made in Hawke’s Bay from palm-oil-free imported chocolate and the colours blended on site with specially imported food colouring from the USA. Working with modelling chocolate is like playing with plastercine or clay – except it tastes delicious!

“Scolpt is unbelievably easy to use. You don’t need to be an expert, just simply roll and mould. It’s fun, bright and pre-coloured which means no mess. Best of all, if it doesn’t quite work out like you planned, either deconstruct and start again, or simply eat your mistake!” “There’s no wastage either. Use what you need and store the rest in an airtight container”.

Gotcha Treats supplies bulk packs for the professional market and a retail pack with 10 colours for home or amateur cake decorators. Donna Kyle, owner of Cakestuff in Hastings raves about Scolpt modelling chocolate. “After experimenting with Scolpt I would recommend it for all amateur and professional cake decorators. It’s so easy to use. No mess, no fuss. Even amateur decorators can produce a professional looking result.”

Amanda says she’s been selling the home rainbow pack through the store and local Farmers Market for a number of months now with fantastic feedback. “Our customers often bring in the decorations to show us and we’ve seen everything from animals to fairies, toadstools, flowers, Easter eggs and ornate flowers for cupcakes. It’s been used as a birthday party and school holiday activity, by youth groups and professional cake decorators on wedding cakes. Rugby World Cup fever has generated a whole new wave of creativity with all members of the family having a go. ”

Gotcha Treat’s Scolpt modelling chocolate is now available nationwide and distributed by Goldenbridge distribution that supply stores such as Spotlight, Progressive Enterprises supermarkets and specialist cake and bakery producers. The product can also be purchased online at www.scolpt.com or at the store at The Busy Corner in Taradale.

Design tips and patterns are also available online. Plans to distribute to Australia are in progress.

“Scolpt modelling chocolate is simple to use, looks fantastic and best of all taste delicious – the perfect ingredient for fabulous cake decorations”.

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