Cake decorating is big – and Food Network star Jorg Amsler (above) is “worth the detour” as a certain guide book would say, if the avalanche of entries for our Satin Ice competition is anything to go by. More than 100 readers applied for tickets to tonight’s launch of the ready-to-roll icing in Midleton’s Old Distillery, at which Amsler will be creating a very lavish 50th anniversary cake for O’Brien Ingredients and giving tips on airbrushing, fondant techniques and decorating.

Siobhán Fay says that with her dissertation due in a matter of weeks, baking is her only outlet for fun. She will be joined at tonight’s demonstration by Joanne O’Sullivan, who is making a wedding cake for her brother, who is getting married in May. Mother and daughter Evelyn and Katie Ryan are both keen bakers, and living in Midleton, they won’t have too far to travel to the event. In recognition of the interest in the demonstration, O’Brien Ingredients donated another pair of tickets to the trade-only event, and these were claimed by 16-year-old Transition Year student Sinead O’Sullivan, who has already completed two courses in sugarcraft and will be hoping to pick up some tips from the experts tonight.