Frequenly Asked Questions

Cake

Question: Do you only do wedding cakes?                                                                      Answer: No.  Mar-a-thon does cakes for all occasions.... from weddings for 200+ to birthdays for 3 year olds.  No occasion is too small for a special cake.

Question: How do I determine the size of the  cake I want?                            Answer: The size of a cake is determined by the number of servings required.

Question: What flavour of cakes and fillings do you have?                                Answer: Mar-a-thon has a varied assortment of flavours.  These are listed on the website page "Why Mar-a-thon".  These are not the only flavours available;  we can
accommodate most preferences.

Question:  What is the difference between buttercream icing and fondant?          Answer: Buttercream is a soft, spreadable icing suitable for covering a cake, and piping soft decorations.  It is the more flavourful of the two icings.  Fondant is a firmer icing that is rolled out like a pastry. It is suitable as a cake covering giving a very smooth finish. It is also suitable for firmer decoration work, such as ribbon or drapery.

Question:  What is the difference between fondant and gum paste?                Answer: Fondant is an icing suitable for covering cakes and making cut and molded decorations.  It remains fairly soft. Gum paste is similar to fondant, but after a while hardens.  Thus, it is well suited for decorations ( such as flowers) that may be larger and/or need to harden to keep shape.  It is not used as a cake covering.

Question:  What is the difference between buttercream icing and royal icing?          Answer: Buttercream is a soft, spreadable icing suitable for covering a cake, and piping soft decorations  such as boarders and flowers.  Royal icing is similar to buttercream in that it is piped to make flowers and other decorations, but it hardens after a short time, helping piped items to keep shape.  It is not usually suitable as a cake covering.

Question:  What kinds of items can be used to decorate a cake?                     Answer:  Almost any item may be as long as it is safe to be in contact with food. These may be: non-toxic flowers/plants; silk florals; piped buttercream and royal flowers and decorations; gum paste and fondant items and flowers; glass, ceramic, and plastic items; ribbons and bows.  Almost anything goes.

Question: What is a rental cake?                                                                       Answer: A rental cake is a false cake that is usually white or ivory and may have additional decorations added to match a particular wedding colour scheme.  It is usually accompanied by a sheet cake or  two, decorated in a similar but less ornate fashion, to be used for cutting and serving.

Question: Do you carry any other rental items?                                                           Answer: Yes, we do.  Mar-a-thon has an assortment of toppers, topper bases, lighted and revolving topper stands, cake knife and servers for rental.

Question:  Do I have to supply my own topper, or may I obtain one through Mar-a-thon?                                                                                                          Answer:  You may do either.  Mar-a-thon may also produce a custom topper from gum paste and other decorative materials.

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