Fondant vs. How We Do It!

Fondant photo cookies versus Wicked Good photo cookies.

I always thought that I’d be a voracious blogger and yet, here I am, disappointed in myself that I rarely blog in spite of the fact that I love words (not nearly as much as my grandchildren – thought I’d quickly slip in my grandchildren – I have 5, and they are all beautiful, and all brilliant, and all bright, and all perfectly healthy – lucky me). But, getting back to words and blogs, words are cool and they can be sometimes clever when properly pieced together, and even though I rarely achieve either (cool and clever, that is), I like ‘em; like to read them, write them, and even talk using them. I might also add that I often digress while using them, but you already know that.

I really and truly am disappointed in myself for not visiting this Wicked Good world of a blog to write more often. There is so much to say (about grandchildren and cookies) and blogs can be an effective venue to editorialize away, ad nauseam. They’re a decent venue to brag and boast of your grandchildren’s latest unbelievable and incredible feat, or to merely state how easily your smile broadens whenever any of your 5 grandchildren are nearby. Here I go again with my incessant need to use a blog to brag as my real life friends and acquaintances tend to tune me out – go figure.

This particular blog will be my virginal entry of 2008 and I thought I’d use a few words to talk about the difference between a “fondant photo cookie” and a Wicked Good photo cookie. There is a difference and some might opine that the difference is monumental. I will admit that subjectivity may already indeed overwhelm me as I am a devout advocate of the patented technology that Wicked Good employs that allows it to precisely print any photo or image directly onto its infinite array of sugar cookie shapes and sizes. A fondant, in addition to being a “foreign film” element on a cookie (I’ll let my new pal Wikipedia provide a more detailed fondant definition in the words below), is typically limited to a preset series of “size and shape cut outs”.

As I referenced in the paragraph above, one of our newer reference bastions – Wikipedia - uses the following words to define a fondant: A “Fondant is a cream confection used as a filling or coating for cakes, pastries, and candies or sweets” (cookies count as sweets, I’m surmising). “In its simplest form, it is sugar and water cooked to a point, specifically the soft-ball stage, cooled slightly, and stirred or beaten until it is an opaque mass of creamy consistency” (who among us are not drooling at this very moment over thoughts of any form of an opaque mass?) Wikipedia goes on to say that a “the finished product solidifies and may be stored until needed, at which point it is reheated” (don’t we all just love solidified and reheated stuff). Wikipedia also opines “a fondant is formed by supersaturating sucrose in water. Less sugar will dissolve in water with a cooler temperature. After the sucrose is dissolved, the solution is left to cool and the sugar will remain dissolved in the supersaturated solution until nucleation occurs” (gee, thoughts of a supersaturated solution turned into a nucleated sheet on my cookie certainly make me drool). Wiki, like me, apparently loves words.

All these words to define this foreign sheet of a sugar based compound that can slide through the food coloring version of an ink jet printer and “print” a photo directly onto this third party fondant sheet, so that this third party fondant sheet can ultimately be indirectly placed on a cookie (and often held in place on a cookie with piped frosting). Interesting, dontcha think? One fondant photo cookie supplier states “the images are printed on frosting sheets, not rice paper. (good to know). Frosting sheets provide the highest quality image and have no flavor or taste” (I say “what add-on sheet have you ever tried that has NO aftertaste or flaky feel on the palate. I also say – phew - imagine adding rice paper instead of a glazed frosting sheet; my taste buds surrender at the thought). Another photo cookie fondant supplier advises ”you can expect some deterioration in the cookie decoration if moisture touches the cookie surface. . .humidity can cause the edible images to stick to the wrapping for Photo Cookies”. Thanks for the warning, I say, as what good is a photo cookie whose photo cookie element has broken free from its cookie base. Enough, you beg, ENOUGH! Almost, I whisper, as I’d like to add one more comment regarding economics and variety.

The economics, as well as variety, relate to the pre-cut fondant sheets that are used within the industry. These pre-cut sheets are typically supplied in pre defined shapes and pre-cut sizes in order to address economy of scale issues. Die cut fondants eliminate ragged edges when extracting the image portion of a fondant and lends understanding to the rationale behind the typically limited photo cookie offerings; a few circles and squares and rectangles, and a heart shaped cookie or two. The economics also relate to the added operational process as fondant cookie suppliers need to print on a fondant, remove the printed portion from the overall fondant sheet, and then affix, and then seal the photo portion of the fondant sheet onto a cookie. I eloquently state – phew. All this takes time as well as great hand to eye coordination, I’m thinking. I’m also thinking that time is money and time equates to cost and time and time again, I digress.

By contrast, we at Wicked Good utilize a patented technology that allows us to print directly onto our “NO preservative and NO artificial flavors added” photo cookies. We print directly onto a cookie what mere mortals can print on paper, or what fondant photo cookie suppliers can print directly onto a theoretically tasteless and invisible fondant. Further, in as much as we are not limited to pre cut, die cuts, virtually any shape and size is possible. I won’t bore you with an endless litany of propaganda eulogizing the great taste of our cookies; but they are delicious, they do incorporate lots of butter and sugar and secretly succulent ingredients, and they do look as great as they taste. Remarkable is an often used word when describing our wickedly precise and directly applied photos to our cookie concoctions.

By the way, our patented and modified Hewlett Packard printer/plotter is also capable of using fondants to place images on cookies. We deliciously decline to incorporate. Wonder why!

Finally, have I mentioned the fact that I have 5 pretty perfect grandchildren?

Michael J Fox Foundation support

Hi and hello to any and all people who blog. My maiden blog was about my grandchildren and their wit and wisdom and good looks and advanced capabilities in virtually all aspects of their lives. I might have mentioned that subjectivity reigns when I view my 5 grandchildren, but I am told that it is a grandparent’s prerogative and they are indeed my favorite people.

My second blog addressed Wicked Good’s superior competitive position in the bourgeoning world of photo cookies. Wicked offers not only the most aggressive price positioning in the industry, it also offers the greatest variety in terms of shapes and sizes; to say nothing of its lead position in production capacity. All in all….Wicked Good Cookies is wickedly impressive in this man’s subjective view, but my subjectivity is easily and readily converted into objective comfort once one reviews Wicked’s competitive positioning.

Took me a long time to get here (my third blog entreaty) but I thank you for your patience (if, indeed, there are any you’s out there reading this less than succinct entreaty).

I wanted to blog about a subject that is very important to me; Parkinson’s Disease and its insidious assault on millions of people, including my sister. We are all aware of Michael J. Fox and his gallant battle to find a cure, and his relentless energy to advance all possible forms or treatment is truly noble. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has already funded over $90 million in research and the strategic implementation of these funds has engendered hope for many.

Wicked Good was recently selected to prepare photo cookies for a fund raiser that honored Michael J. Fox, and his foundation. The cookies were a hit and elicited unrequited smiles throughout the evening. Michael left the affair with a genuine smile on his face and more than a cookie or two safely tucked into his briefcase.

Wicked vs. the Competition

Hi and hello and welcome to my second official blog. This is fun. Might also become informative. Imagine if it became both. Mercy!

I recently learned what a blog was, is and continues to be, in spite of my advancing years - or perhaps because of them. I’m the dad in the Wicked Good Cookie Company equation and I participate with my two of my three son’s (when not being a playmate with one of my grandchildren) in the company. Our website provides all relevant details on what and when and why and how – not sure about who, and it is fun to see a company become a Company.

My professional background (before semi-retirement and Wicked Good) was in the high tech sector where competition is conservatively categorized as FIERCE. Technology advances at an astounding rate and virtually all organizations go to great lengths to espouse their strengths. Competitive analysis was a key marketing tool to aid and abet promotional efforts, as well as to provide reasonably objective data to the ultimate end users. Have I bored you to tears yet?????

My blogging point is simple. Why not do likewise in the world of cookies; specifically photo cookies. Especially when you firmly believe that you are the most accomplished photo cookie company in the industry. The WORLD. . . . . . even! I am convinced that Wicked Good is the very BEST alternative in the world of photo cookies – in terms of price – in terms of variety and number of offerings – in terms of capacity – in terms of creativity – in all relevant aspects. How’s that for subjectivity? Not very, I guess, unless it is supported by fact, or in this case, a comprehensive attempt at cookie competitive analysis.

That said, I encourage you to view the following material. It is as objective as subjectively possible, and was compiled with comprehensive visits to websites and subsequent calls to verify and quantify. It is what it is, and it is primarily rewarding to see that Peter, Christopher and their staff have done an outstanding job in establishing substance to go along with the sweet stuff they create.

Still not sure if this is allowed in a blog but………….why not. Comments are appreciated.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p_eOMrKEfOnPFMcoabPw4QA ALT="Photo Cookie Comparison">
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p_eOMrKEfOnNTQx9CUt1UWg ALT="Gourmet Gift Comparison">

Grampa Talkin' Grandkids & Cookies

While my origins are in the high tech sector, blogging is a new phenomenon that my son’s tell me is nothing more than a bulletin board for thoughts and opinions – about absolutely anything. A Google search delivered the following definitions:

Matisse Enzer's Glossary of Internet Terms puts it this way:
Blog - (weB LOG) A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog. Postings on a blog are almost always arranged in chronological order with the most recent additions featured most prominently.

The University of Lethbridge's Faculty of Education has a very brief definition.Blog - A web log: an on-line diary or frequently updated personal web page.

I asked my son’s if it would be okay if I used this blogging venue to talk about my five grandchildren and how beautiful, brilliant and awesome each of them are, and how each of them “love grandpa the most”. (I do jest on the “love grandpa the most” part of this virginal blogging soliloquy but I am quite certain that I love each of them “the most”. (grandpa’s logic!!)

Anyway, two of my three son’s, who are co-owners and actively coool operators of Wicked Good Cookies, told me that there was a time and place for my obnoxious grandfatherly behavior and that the Wicked website and associated blog may not be an appropriate pulpit for me to pompously preach about my grandchildren and their infinite “awesome-ness”. The wicked blog, they passionately professed, is for people to talk about their experiences with our Wicked Good photo cookies, or to tell relevantly related stories about our cookie creativity.

Their respective opinions were properly pondered and duly noted and I am “sort of” going to “oblige and conform” to their blog intentions. I guess it would be blog-ably relevant if I mentioned that Sophia, my first grandchild, loves Wicked Good photo cookies and that her smile blazed a new trail to my heart when her artwork was put on a cookie that was used to invite her cousins and friends to her 4th birthday celebration. (see picture). None of the birthday cookie invitations made it to the party but their smiles were ear-to-ear when new photo cookies were presented to each with their names sweetly emblazoned on the birthday cookie treat.

From BLOG PICTURES

I wonder if it would be acceptable if I wove a word or two about my second grandchild, Andrew. He’s just turned two and he is ALL boy. Andrew loves his koookies, and his visits to the Wicked Good cookie kingdom always results in a customized cookie of his choice. I stand back and smirk as Andrew takes his dad’s hand and walks him to Wicked Good’s cartoon character library and selects his next cookie. He then weaves his way to our patented photo cookie system and patiently waits for his dad to do his magic. Five minutes later, my smile goes coastal as Andrew carefully eats the cookie “around” the photo leaving a ragged edge to the remnants of what used to be Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.

From BLOG PICTURES

While Emma’s parents are nutcakes on nutrition and do their very best to limit grampa’s obnoxious desire to give his third grandchild “good stuff”, they do allow Emma to eat a cookie or two. And, when they do, they do smile, and they smile with unmitigated glee as Emma excitedly and repeatedly looks at the cookie with her image perfectly placed next to Elmo on her customized Wicked Good cookie. Unlike Andrew, Emma has little regard for the cartoon character and typically devours her cookie with enthusiastic gusto.

Stella and Marin, my two youngest grandchildren, are far too young to indulge or comprehend the creative magnitude of perfectly placing images on cookies. Stella is 7 months old, and Marin 6 weeks younger and their grandfather sure does get excited when he see’s their pictures on Wicked Good cookies. Grandpa’s biggest dilemma is whether to eat the cookies or save and freeze to extend my viewing pleasure.

Perhaps, I should end my maiden voyage in the realm of the blog. I shall return. Blogging can be fun stuff – just like Wicked Good’s photo cookies !

Wicked Cool Holiday Cookies

Ho! Ho! Ho! What a Wicked Good time of year! We've been working day and night preparing custom gourmet gifts and photo cookies and we won't stop 'till Santa takes off. The word is getting around that if you want your gift remembered, it has to be remarkable, and it has to be Wicked! Heck, even the big guy in the red suit himself gave Wicked Good a call this year.(Just don't tell anyone or else Mrs. Claus might have him sleeping with the reindeer)

Think of how cool your logo will look on one of our snowmen, or mittens, or edible greeting cards.. This is the most delicious gift you'll find at the bottom of your stocking!

Celebrate the season with custom photo cookies and gifts from www.wickedgoodcookies.com

For whatever Holiday you are celebrating; make a Wicked Good One!

Peter & all the Elves at Wicked Good Cookies

Wicked makes favors for Rogerson Communities Welcome Home!

Wicked Good Cookies is pleased to take part in Rogerson Communities' 8th annual Welcome Home! 2006. The fundraising event is held at the Four Season Hotel in Boston and includes cocktails, a dinner and live auction. Year after year this event draws the "who's who" from Boston businesses and prominent media and is being hosted by WCVB Channel 5's Natalie Jacobsen.

For the event Wicked Good Cookies worked closely with the passionate people at Rogerson and designed photo cookies with multiple color frostings displaying the Rogerson Communities logo. It was easy for us to share the enthusiasm with the people at Rogerson and we hope that our cookies add some buzz and excitement to the event!

With over 350 prominent and generous supporters expected in attendance, we are happy to say thanks by providing a customized cookie made especially for them! So, to the folks at Rogerson - thanks for all you do and I hope there are a few cookies left over that you can enjoy after a long and rewarding evening!

To read more about Rogerson Communities and the Welcome Home! 2006, please visit their website at www.rogerson.org.

Andrew's Birthday Party

Take a look at this cookie that Wicked Good created for my son Andrew's first birthday party. Pretty cool, huh.. Well all the little guys and gals sure thought the cookies were cool! It is just too bad that Andrew's Auntie Marlo and other family & friends who could not make weren't able to share in a ll the fun. With that in mind we decided to create this blog. Aside from actually sending cookies all over the country to friends and family who could not be there(you were all missed), we decided to post pictures and stories so they can see just how much fun was had by all. We can now share pictures and tell tales and bring the event to life for anyone at anytime... So, here goes...

It was pretty cool to see how excited he was to see his face on a cookie and it was very cool to see how much fun his big cousin Sophia had biting into her little pal:) In fact, I am not so sure that the Grandparents and Aunts & Uncles didn't have more fun than the kids showing off and hording all the cookies to show their friends and co-workers...haha.

So, to Auntie Marlo, Uncle Kirk and India, Trey & Ty: We missed you at the party and I am sure the Grammy has a cookie or 2 stashed away somewhere to show you over the Holidays!