Cake and candy supplies?

Where can I go to find cake decorating and candy making supplies? I'm thinking of something like the shop back home in Ohio that had melting chocolates in every color, molds galore, cake decorating supplies and ingredients, maybe nuts. In addition, any recommended cake decorating classes? I've gotten the bug lately.

I'm in the city, but waaaay west near Oak Park and Elmwood Park. Hopefully there is something out this way, or farther out in the 'burbs? Of course, anyplace really good is worth traveling for.

Sur La Table has a lot of that stuff, at prices befitting their locations:

52-54 East Walton St
Chicago, IL  60611
(312) 337-0600

755 W North Ave, Space N-103
Chicago, IL  60610
(312) 787-5111

55 South Main Street, 1D
Naperville, IL 
(630) 428-1110

I wonder if something like the Edward Don outlet might, too.

2525 N. Elston
773-489-7739

Don definitely carries a lot of the stuff -- but their outlet store doesn't -- and it's somewhat difficult to shop with them via their primary conduit if you're not a commercial entity. . . e.g. their catalog contains no prices, etc., so you really need to work with one of their sales reps. That isn't always the most convenient mode for consumer-level purchasing.

As a Chicagoland-based consumer, I find the best sources for these types of supplies (tips, bags, essential oils, etc.) to be on-line (save for the classes). If you'd like a list of those, just say the word.

=R=

Try The Baker's Catalogue
1-800-827-6838
www.bakerscatalogue.com

Everything from sourdough starter to fondant.

This thread might help:


http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t= ... ht=fondant

This isn't an immediate help, but you might want to put this event on your calendar now.

Ann Fisher wrote:This isn't an immediate help, but you might want to put this event on your calendar now.

Ann,

I'm betting that event will be of interest to the serious bakers on the board. Have you been? My cousin Peg-Leg SaintCross, an avid baker and occasional pastry caterer, goes to the Wilton tent sale every year and raves about the deals she gets.

Never been, but Ol's Peg-Leg knows her way around a pastry bag.

Enjoy,
Gary

I actually got some cardboard rounds, meringue powder and a box of rolled fondant at Walmart today of all places. God I hate that place. I try to go there only when I can't find something elsewhere. We have a Michaels, too, so I'll look there when I am down that way. Definitely will check out the Wilton Tent Sale in June.

I am thinking of taking the class at http://www.flavourcookingschool.com/index.php. I took the knife skills class there with a friend and really liked the place and the staff. Plus, it's so close to home.

I just can't believe there isn't someplace in all of Chicagoland that fills this need for the nonprofessional, but serious, baker or candymaker.

Cake Walk Chicago

I can't vouch for the classes at Cakewalk, but I visited the store for candy supplies before Christmas. Don't know if the stock was low due to the holidays, but the selection seemed fairly slim. That said, I found what I was looking for (though paid more than I expected to) and the guy working the register was very nice. But it's not a bonanza of baking/candy supplies.

If you're only looking for supplies, I'd go online--prices are better, selection is bigger. I recommend http://www.nycake.com.

I wanted to add that I was in Hobby Lobby today and when I was poking around I noticed that they carry fondant. It was the Wilton Brand in a box, in 3-5 or so different colors to choose from. I believe the price was $7.99 a box.

Hope it helps.

when I went to Don's outlet on Elston a few weeks ago, they carried tubs of fondant and quite a few baking items. I felt like a kid in a candy store (as I'm an avid baker myself.)

The web sites, etc. on referred to on this thread are certainly useful for the bakers among us. Are there any specific (or specifically great, though more general) resources (sites, books, stores, etc.) for someone who is VERY interested in producing his own candy? As a teacher, who is continually trying to reward my adult students with things that are economical while not something that they could easily acquire themselves, homemade candy would be ideal (not chocolate, however- I would have no way to preserve it, and am not particularly fond of it). I love sugary candy in almost every manifestation, from rope to pulled to sucked, and would be thrilled to produce my own and share it with my class. Any help?

HI,

While you didn't specifically request this, you may find it of interest anyway: G-Shaft Coal Candy - a really local story. This is a piece of candy with a bit of local lore and recipe to do it yourself.

If you do happen to make it, then advise on the outcome. I considered making it for Christmas last year, but didn't get to it.

Regards,

I was surprised to see this thread climb it's way back to the top. I found CakeWalk online, and thought I'd venture a trip down that way sometime in the spring. I was in Ohio over the holidays and got some goodies as gifts - a ball pan, icing colors, gum paste mix and tools, and bought some myself - boxes, boards. I also ended up taking a class through Triton Community College. I really want to take their chocolate class, but I can't make the time commitment right now. Or the calorie commitment.

Triton College
www.triton.edu
North Ave and 5th Ave
River Grove

Resurrecting this thread to point out that the Wilton Tent Sale is going on now. June 2-20th.

Wilton Tent Sale
2240 W. 75th (between I-355 and Rte. 53)
Woodbridge

Save up to 75% on 3000 products

Thanks. I'm headed out there as soon as school is out. No way, no how am I going on the weekend!