FAQ

VIP bags

• I want the VIP cake show swag bag, how do I get one?

Those who purchase their weekend passes online before 17 July 2019 will receive a VIP Cake Show goodie bag on entry to the cake show.

• What if I don't make it to the show, can I get a refund?

All ticket sales are final, no refunds for no-shows.

• I am bringing my kids, do I have to buy them a ticket?

 Kids under 12 are free, so you do not need to purchase a ticket.  

• I am bringing my husband, and he isn't interested in cakes. Do I have to buy him a ticket?

Yes, all admissions (aged 13+) will require a ticket purchase. If your husband still wants to come along, he can kick back and enjoy a drink from the café bar and have a seat in several of our lounge areas.

• Can I purchase tickets on the day of the event?

Yes, you can purchase tickets on the day of the event.  Bring cash, as there aren't any eftpos machines on site.

Cake show tickets

• How will I receive my tickets?

Your "ticket" is the invoice / receipt you get when you purchase your ticket online. Each invoice has a unique barcode which we will scan in for entry to the show.

• Help! I cannot find my tickets anywhere!

Please check your spam or junk folders for order confirmations from our site, as well as from Paypal. There should be a few emails in total. If you still cannot find your messages, click on the link here. 

For security purposes, you will then be prompted to enter your email address to receive the Sign-in Link from NZ Bakels LTD via email that will then take you to straight to your order. If you are still stuck, contact Nina for help.

• I don't have a Paypal account, can I still purchase my ticket online?

Yes. We are using Paypal as our secure payment gateway regardless. Check out as a Paypal Guest simply by clicking on the Visa or MasterCard icon below the Paypal button to complete your transaction.

• Ordering is not working on my iPhone. Can you help? OR  Ordering is not working on my laptop. OR Ordering is not working on my iPad.

We have three different ways to purchase tickets, classes, and competition entries.

1. www.Pettinice.com/cakeshow
2. www.Pettinice.ecwid.com
3. Through “Store” tab on our Facebook page.

Try switching browsers (Safari to Chrome, Internet Explorer to Firefox, vice-versa). To cover all eventualities, try using a different device as there can be cookies or pop up window settings blocking the purchase.

• Do you store my credit card information?

No. Your information is secure and all handled through Paypal.

• I don't have a credit card, can I purchase my show tickets via internet banking to qualify for the VIP swag bag?

Yes, we may be able to help you purchase a ticket through bank deposit, but this will have several requirements. Please contact Nina directly for further information BEFORE July 12th.

• Can I purchase my ticket on the day?

Yes, you can pay on entry. Please bring cash as there is no Eftpos facility on premises.

• I am planning on going to the cake show one of the days. Can I pay half?

No.

Class purchases

• I am interested in taking one of the mini workshop classes but worried there will be too many people.  

We completely understand. Therefore both the Fault line and Name Plaque classes have 10 students max. The other four classes on offer will have 12 students max.

• What if I don't make it to my class on time, can I get a refund?

All cake show class sales are final, no refunds for late arrivals or no-shows.

• Do I need to bring anything for my cake classes?

No, everything you need will be provided.

• I am a complete beginner (Or, my child is a complete beginner). Can I (or they) take the workshop classes?

Only two workshops require some decorating experience: The Name Plaque class, and the Rice Paste Flower class. All others are suitable for complete beginners.

• Do I have to purchase a weekend pass if I book a class?

Yes, you will still need to purchase your cake show ticket. We will do our best to flag missing tickets, but please check - especially if you booked in hoping to get the VIP Cake Show swag bag.

Competition entry questions

• Who will be judging the cakes?

Our cake judges will be guests from overseas. Please do not post your competition cakes, or progress photos, or inspiration images prior on social media prior to the competition. If you have questions about your competition pieces, feel free to ask Nina any questions you have about your cakes.

• Can I get a refund if I don't end up entering a cake?

As we are hiring tables based on entries, we have allocated you a space and will not issue refunds if you are no longer able to bring a cake.

I am flying in with my cake entry and might miss the delivery deadline by an hour, is this okay?

Please contact us directly to make arrangements for special circumstances as we do not want the judges to see who made the cake entries.

• I am not inspired by any famous or published art and want to do my own thing. Can I still enter a cake?
• Can I use a photo my daughter took from her holiday as my art inspiration?
• Can I use a painting my child made for art class instead?
• Can I use a dress as inspiration instead of a famous / published artwork?
• Does it have to be published or famous art piece?

(...or any other variation of questions above) In the spirit of our show theme and keeping everyone on an even playing field, judges will be awarding up to 10 points for interpreting a famous / published artwork. That could be the difference between you winning a place in your category and not missing out for the additional $500 Best in Show prize. You will be able to explain your inspiration piece on the judging form you need to complete for each piece.

• Can I use more than three techniques on my competition piece?

Yes, you can use as many techniques as you see fit for your cake, we just require at least three.

• Three techniques sounds like a lot! Can you explain what techniques are?

Some examples of techniques might include fondant work, figure modelling, sugar flowers, royal icing, wafer paper, isomalt work, chocolate work, painting on a cake with gels, cocoa butter painting, sugar lace, edible fabric, carving, creating textures, 2D cut outs, buttercream flowers, pastillage work, using moulds in a unique way, etc. Hopefully that gives you a good start.

• Can I use wired gelatin flowers in my competition piece?

Yes, you can use wired gelatin flowers as long as they are not inserted directly into your cake.

• I don't understand why I can't stick my wires directly into the cake dummies, why the rule?

If inserting sugar flowers on wires into the dummy cake, you MUST insert it into a piece of straw, tube, or other safety coating. Please take photos of this process if you are worried it won't be obvious to the judges as you want to show the judges that you understand how to correctly complete this process if it were a real cake.

• For sculpted cakes, can I use rice krispies instead? How about solid chocolate?

Rice Krispies or solid chocolate falls into the 25% non-edible component of your competition entry. 75% of your cake must be made in real cake.

• For the sculpted category, why does it matter if it's real cake as no one is going to eat it?

Fair question. The skill judged in this category is the competitor's ability to sculpt and decorate real cake. Gravity, weight, and transport is a skill to master in their own right - so to keep the competition on an even playing field, all sculpted cakes need to be minimum 75% real cake, and a maximum 25% not cake.

• Can I make my sculpted entry 100% out of cake? 

By all means, yes!

• I am flying in from Wellington. If my cake was damaged in transit. Can I still enter it?

Yes, simply write "damaged in transit" on your entry form, and the judges will take that into account when they look at your progress photos on your entry form.

• Only three people entered in my category. Does that make me an automatic win?

Unfortunately, no. Your entries still need to meet minimum point requirements in order to place in the category. It is possible that only one placement is made, and a Grand prize is not immediately awarded.

• I do not understand what the point system means for "originality" if we are all using famous/published art pieces as inspiration?

Your entry does not have to be an exact replica of the art work that inspires you. The creativity factors in your interpretation of the piece, with 100% total creative freedom. I will be posting cakes for inspiration on our Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook accounts to give you an idea.

• If I don't print out a photo of my cake inspiration, will my cake be disqualified?

Yes, this is an important criteria for the show, and for all people viewing your cake at the weekend. Be sure to bring a photo of your cake inspiration.

• I just had a look at the details - would definitely have entered if it were $500 cash but the split has put me off a bit as it’s not terribly exciting for me to win $200 worth of Bakels product. 

We are grateful for the generosity and appreciate the support of Bakels for sponsoring this cake show, as well as our vendors for contributing to our prize packages awarding our talented New Zealand decorators.  Bakels products include their entire catalog of flours, truffle, chocolate, Pettinice, fillings and mixes.  Assuming that you entered and won the Grand prize and did not want it, we can happily arrange donation to a worthy school that would be more than happy to receive it in your place.