I am making a Military hat for a Navy Ceremony. They would like it to be in the shape of a Chiefs hat. The bill is black and shinny along with lots of the details on the hat. Any suggestions on how to do this?

I spilled a little gum glue on the walnuts in my fair cake and it stayed very shiny. I think that would work great!

Into the Oven sells a confectioner's glaze. I haven't used it, but according to the description, it makes candies very shiny and it is food grade.

http://www.intotheoven.com/p1250/8-oz-Confectioner&%2339s-Glaze/product_info.html

This is a great company to order from, their products are great, customer service is excellent, and shipping is very reasonable.

I would just take a little Crisco and buff it into the part you would like to make shiny...it doesn't take much but it stays shiny.

There are a couple of different recipes for edible varnish. I used the following one and it left shinier layer to the object. You just paint it on.

1t. gelatin
3t. water
1t. liquid glucose

Sprinkle gelatin in water. Let stand until it becomes spongy. Dissolve until clear over hot, not boiling water, Add the liquid glucose and stir. Pour into an airtight container. The mixture will get hard after it sets but to reuse just heat over hot water. Paint on item while mixture is hot.

I would use confectioners glaze. it works great.. it can be thinned down to adjust the "shininess" of it.



you could also try
3parts alcohol
1 part corn syrup.

I'm a big fan of confectioners glaze. The nice thing about it is, once it dries, you can handle the piece easily without getting fingerprints on it.

Piping gel is another alternative (which is something you might have on hand) - - - and it can be thinned down slightly with alcohol. But you have to be careful and not touch that part of your cake after adding the piping gel because it leave a mark.

From the comments here, Confectioner's glaze seems like the best way to go if you have the time to order it - - - I want to get some of that and experiment with it!