A Few Dog Hairs In Fondant..what's The Big Deal?

Decorating By __Jamie__ Updated 14 Dec 2008 , 8:35pm by teachingmyself

__Jamie__ Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
__Jamie__ Posted 26 Nov 2008 , 3:53am
post #1 of 36

So I made my MMF tonight without incident as usual, baby fast asleep, hubby off at grad school. Perfect night. Was ready to wrap it up to rest, and it rolled out of my hands and plopped down right on top of the....dog. icon_lol.gif Dog looked up at me with a quizzical look as if to say "does this mean I get to eat it?"

So, into the trash can went my perfectly furry blob of MMF, into the bath went the sullen dog (no MMF treat for her, save the bit she managed to lick off of her leg), and I am gleefully off to wrap my cake up with the easiest stuff to work with in the world....Wilton! Aha! Good thing I keep a bag of the crusty old crap around for accents and dummy cakes! This cake will be the peel and eat variety. Eh, saves me the hassle of making new fondant. icon_confused.gif Thankfully, this is cake for the family for Thanksgiving, so no tough critics to please with this one.

By the way, the cake is going to look like a big bowl of fluffy mashed taters, complete with fondant butter pat, wooden spoon and chopped chives.

35 replies
mgdsue02 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mgdsue02 Posted 26 Nov 2008 , 4:03am
post #2 of 36

Gotta love working in a house with a dog!! Mine is often under my feet waiting for something to fall her way. icon_smile.gif Can't wait to see the finished cake!

indydebi Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
indydebi Posted 26 Nov 2008 , 4:07am
post #3 of 36

Since it's just family, you could have told them the dog hairs were splinters from the wooden spoon, or that you used potatoes with skin and those are the slivers of potato skin!! icon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

poor doggy! thought he was getting a treat and ended up getting a nasty 'ole bath instead! icon_lol.gif

I guess that Wilton stuff is good for SOMETHING, huh! icon_biggrin.gif

panchanewjersey Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
panchanewjersey Posted 26 Nov 2008 , 4:09am
post #4 of 36

No hard feelings PLEASE, but I just couldn't bake or even cook if there was a dog in the kitchen, I'd be afraid of dog hair in my food. Sorry, I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings.

tenleysmommy Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
tenleysmommy Posted 26 Nov 2008 , 4:19am
post #5 of 36

Got to be a dog lover to appreciate that!!!

__Jamie__ Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
__Jamie__ Posted 26 Nov 2008 , 4:38am
post #6 of 36

I agree panchaw. I've only made cakes for friends and family so far, but I'm getting ready with the detached kitchen to avoid those very situations when the time comes!

Which reminds me, I remember having dessert at a friend's house one evening a long time ago. She made a beautiful chocolate cake, with the little curls on it and all. There was a thick white strand of what had to be cat hair on it. She doesn't own a cat, keeps a squeaky clean house, and we all know it didn't come from any of us. Who knows where it came from.

mixinvixen Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mixinvixen Posted 26 Nov 2008 , 5:44am
post #7 of 36

two of our friends were getting married out of state in mississippi and were making the rounds, meeting cake designers and having tasting appts. they go to one, which is a woman who has closed in her carport and has commercial equipment. my male friend is sitting there, bored to tears, while his fiance is talking with the lady, and he happens to look down by his feet...there against the chair, only a few feet from the stainless steel work table, is a big pile of dog crap, so old it's white. he's trying to be polite, do anything but make a fuss, when he notices another pile over by the supply shelf...again, it's so old, it's white. he motions to jenni that they need to go, an emergency has come up, and he hightails it out of there.

this is nothing against home kitchens, because that's how i operate, but i do not have any pets, and if i did, i can guaran-damn-tee that my kitchen would still be sanitized every day, before every cake, and little doggy would be nowhere near that portion of the house!!!

__Jamie__ Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
__Jamie__ Posted 26 Nov 2008 , 2:42pm
post #8 of 36

Now that is just disgusting. How on earth can you not notice that? Gross!

kakeladi Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
kakeladi Posted 27 Nov 2008 , 2:33am
post #9 of 36

Some people have no clue about keeping a clean house/shop.
I have heard reports of people being turned into the health dept because of a really dirty house (where they baked/made cales).
Then there is always the stories the inspector from the HD has told me & the pix I saw when I attended my food safe classes. You would not believe how bad it can get.

sayhellojana Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
sayhellojana Posted 27 Nov 2008 , 2:48am
post #10 of 36

I wipe down my counters compulsively just to make sure, but I don't see a problem with having a family pet. As long as you clean before you cook

TheCakeShak Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
TheCakeShak Posted 27 Nov 2008 , 2:55am
post #11 of 36

My rotty,, she is so funny! She knows when mama gets the mixer out that the kitchen is soon going to smell like cake, and she knows the icing too.
She plops right at the kitchen island and or in front of the oven..

Then she'll give you "that look" with those big brown beautiful eyes as if she was starving for some cake or icing.....

But, I too, wipe EVERYTHING down constantly and as I am doing cakes..
I get tooooooooo worried there might be a hair in the fondant or on the icing.....

Have a great Thanksgiving....... gobble, gobble........

__Jamie__ Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
__Jamie__ Posted 27 Nov 2008 , 4:24am
post #12 of 36

UPDATE! Hee hee....I made another batch of MMF....turned out great. Bowl of mashed potato cake coming up soon!

keconnell08 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
keconnell08 Posted 27 Nov 2008 , 9:34am
post #13 of 36

Oh boy, here we go again.... icon_wink.gif

Did someone mention an animal and a cake? icon_surprised.gif

sillyoldpoohbear Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
sillyoldpoohbear Posted 27 Nov 2008 , 10:25am
post #14 of 36

When I 1st read the header I thought you were serious & it completely grossed me out icon_eek.gif

I have a dog but he knows he's not allowed anywhere near the kitchen. I think at the end of the day it's all about common sense & decency. I sanatize my counters constantly even when I'm not making a cake (my bf thinks I have ocd) & if I stop to answer the phone or leave the kitchen my hands are scrubbed before I even go anywhere near the cake again.

Kay_NL Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kay_NL Posted 27 Nov 2008 , 10:58am
post #15 of 36

I sanitize everything every night and before every cake... I have a dog but he is locked out of the kitchen when I'm making cakes, his fur is so fine and he's always shedding so if he shakes his fur flies and him being around me while I'm baking or decorating just stresses me out!

kandu001 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
kandu001 Posted 29 Nov 2008 , 2:46am
post #16 of 36

Thanks for making me laugh! I have a dog too and I could totally imagine this happening to me! Sorry to laugh at your misfortune, but it sure is funny!

costumeczar Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
costumeczar Posted 29 Nov 2008 , 4:29am
post #17 of 36

We had to put both of our cats to sleep this year, and if I get another one it's going to be one of those hairless cats that look like weird aliens! I miss not having a pet, but I don't miss having to be on the alert for any hair, keeping them out of the kitchen, etc etc.

I also heard from a health inspector about one lady whose house had to be inspected three times before the level of dog hair in her candy was at acceptable levels! icon_confused.gif How do you not notice dog hair in candy? And how do you not notice a pile of dog crap that had turned white??? Did that woman not have a sense of smell or something???

costumeczar Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
costumeczar Posted 29 Nov 2008 , 4:35am
post #18 of 36

I also have to add, for anyone who's planning on posting about how dirty home bakers are because we might have a pet, that I've seen plenty of dirty commercial bakery kitchens! I went into one that was so filthy I didn't want to touch anything, and when I went into their bathroom it looked like it hadn't been cleaned for a year, and they had merchandise and supplies stacked up in there! Another one around here was known for having an owner who enjoyed smoking while decorating, so the ashtray would sometimes get knocked over on the worktables. Not having pets doesn't guarantee a clean environment...Ever seen "Kitchen Nightmares?" icon_wink.gif

Rocketgirl899 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Rocketgirl899 Posted 29 Nov 2008 , 4:51am
post #19 of 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

I've seen plenty of dirty commercial bakery kitchens! icon_wink.gif




This is one of the reasons I couldn't stand the old place i worked. ugh. I try my hardest to keep everything as clean as possible. Wash hands a bunch, you know, cook for someone how I would want to be cooked for!!!



Right now I am dog sitting a poodle... they don't shedicon_smile.gif but I had my sisters other dog and his hair was EVERYwhere. Plus I have a cat. I don't have carpet in my house either, so while it is easy to clean you notice it all!

I have VERY long hair and my biggest fear is someone cutting into cake and getting hair!

kandu001 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
kandu001 Posted 30 Nov 2008 , 11:10pm
post #20 of 36

I agree. A pet doesn't mean a dirty kitchen. I am a total clean freak and my home kitchen is probably WAY cleaner than some commercial kitchens out there!

bethola Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
bethola Posted 30 Nov 2008 , 11:42pm
post #21 of 36

I agree that having a pet doesn't mean one has a dirty kitchen. However, when my cousin and I did candy at her house I was CONSTANTLY wiping down the counters and the tables and then cover the candy and sweep the floors. She had 2 cats. Maybe that's why it took us 3 days instead of two to do 225 lbs of candy! LOL

Beth in KY

She is actually SUPER CLEAN and this candy was to give to friends and family but still....freaked me!

keyshia Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
keyshia Posted 30 Nov 2008 , 11:55pm
post #22 of 36

That's really funny, poor thing thought she was getting a treat because she just happened to be there. icon_smile.gif

Here in UT, I just went thru my certification and they will not allow home bakers with free roaming animals. I have a bunny, but she is downstairs and in a cage. She gets to run around that room downstairs, but never 2 flights up where the kitchen is.

The story about the dog poo in the commerical area is just beyond gross! Made me want to puke just reading it! icon_smile.gif

Glad you were able to make another bunch! HOpe they all liked it!

margaretb Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
margaretb Posted 3 Dec 2008 , 7:20pm
post #23 of 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar



I also heard from a health inspector about one lady whose house had to be inspected three times before the level of dog hair in her candy was at acceptable levels!




There's an acceptable level for dog hair in candy?!?!?! I hope that level is ZERO!

candynumber1 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
candynumber1 Posted 3 Dec 2008 , 7:32pm
post #24 of 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by mixinvixen

two of our friends were getting married out of state in mississippi and were making the rounds, meeting cake designers and having tasting appts. they go to one, which is a woman who has closed in her carport and has commercial equipment. my male friend is sitting there, bored to tears, while his fiance is talking with the lady, and he happens to look down by his feet...there against the chair, only a few feet from the stainless steel work table, is a big pile of dog crap, so old it's white. he's trying to be polite, do anything but make a fuss, when he notices another pile over by the supply shelf...again, it's so old, it's white. he motions to jenni that they need to go, an emergency has come up, and he hightails it out of there.

this is nothing against home kitchens, because that's how i operate, but i do not have any pets, and if i did, i can guaran-damn-tee that my kitchen would still be sanitized every day, before every cake, and little doggy would be nowhere near that portion of the house!!!



OH THIS IS JUST GROSS!! HOW COULD SHE HAVE NOT KNOW? ANYWAY, I DON'T HAVE PETS BUT I DON'T EVEN LIKE THE KIDS IN THE KITCHEN WHILE CREATING SOMETHING. I DO FEEL BAD FOR THE LIL GUY THOUGH. BETTER LUCK GETTING FONDANT NEXT TIME AROUND.LOL.

GeminiRJ Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
GeminiRJ Posted 3 Dec 2008 , 7:37pm
post #25 of 36

My husband works for the city, and often has to go to various food processing plants. His favorite story is about a place that bottles "clean, mountain fresh" water. Over the storage tanks run the walkways. The walkways are covered in grating only, and the tanks are open. So everytime someone walks across the grating, little bits of dirt and whatever else is sticking to their boots drops into the tank. I think I'll stick to tap water, thanks.

cheeseisgood Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cheeseisgood Posted 3 Dec 2008 , 7:49pm
post #26 of 36

Most people with pets have them running through the house at all hours of the day. I guess some people are not true dog fans. Most everyone with a dog had him around the kitchen during the holidays sitting at your feet patiently waiting for a morsel to fall.

SecretAgentCakeBaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
SecretAgentCakeBaker Posted 4 Dec 2008 , 6:37am
post #27 of 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by margaretb

There's an acceptable level for dog hair in candy?!?!?! I hope that level is ZERO!




Well, I don't know about dog hair, but rat hair, yes.

In flour: Average of 75 or more insect fragments per 50 grams and
Average of 1 or more rodent hairs per 50 grams

You can read the FDA document here: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dalbook.html

Yuck!!! icon_surprised.gif

acookieobsession Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
acookieobsession Posted 5 Dec 2008 , 3:04am
post #28 of 36

barebaranne-that is just nasty...true I understand but eww! I am def on the don't ask, don't tell boat with rat hair! blech!

RE; peopl with dirty (real dirt not just animals) houses that do licensed baking...I always encourage my brides to come to my house and other people's so they SEE my house is clean, no smoking, not doggy piles, or rat traps...ick. I used to eat from other people's kitchen if I did not know them...no longer. i have read too many articles and books on the subject. However, hypocrite that I am...I eat out at a restaurant, because whether or not they clean is irrelevant, I just know that I am not going to be cleaning it! icon_smile.gificon_lol.gif

Julia

SecretAgentCakeBaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
SecretAgentCakeBaker Posted 9 Dec 2008 , 4:47pm
post #29 of 36

I used to eat people's treats too at work parties and such. Then I went to my boss' home for a Christmas party. She had a gorgeous, half million dollar home. On the buffet she had one of those spiral sliced hams. I saw her cat jump up, start nibbling the ham. She shooed it away, pullled off one of the slices and left the rest of the ham for us to eat! Yuck! I decided right then and there that I was not going to eat other people's food unless I knew how they handled food in their home, such as my parents or close friends. The next week at work I noticed someone leave the ladies room without washing her hands. We were having a party and she had brought in something she made. I was so glad that I did not eat anything but my own stuff that day! It is shocking what some people will do.

Yep, I do eat at restaurants. I don't know why. I just try not to think about what could be lurking back there I guess!

-Tubbs Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
-Tubbs Posted 9 Dec 2008 , 10:29pm
post #30 of 36

I think it must be a European vs North American thing, but I am really not that picky about what or where I eat. If someone else cooked it, it's all good! People in the US are even pickier than here in Canada, I think. I was brought up in the UK, and it seems in Europe in general people are a little more 'relaxed' about hygiene (NOT dirty, just not quite as paranoid). I have also travelled to every continent, been hungry and had to eat whatever was local and NOT GOT ILL!! I remember buying a spatchcocked BBQ chicken through the window of a train at an out-of-the-way station in Thailand. I was really hungry and it was absolutely delicious. I wondered if I'd pay for it later, but I wasn't ill. Probably there were cats, maybe rats, who knows? Roadside food is wonderful!

I'm inclined to believe that we come from many generations of people who didn't know (or care) much about germs, and it made them stronger. I believe this modern terror of 'germs' is a big part of the allergy problem, and may be responsible for other health issues.

So, who wants to come to dinner at my house?
Natalie
Who has a dog, but no poo on the floor!

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%