Quick decorating tips from Mimac Glaze

To supplement our feature on cake, cupcake and cookie decorating in the March 2009 issue, here are some quick cake-decorating tips from Dave Miles of Mimac Glaze:

• A PME 0 stainless-steel tip is the Rolls Royce of all piping
  tips. These tips are seamless, and so they pipe a perfect line, which
  makes them the professional's choice for fine or inticate piping work.
• To prevent royal icing from drying too hard, add a small amount
  of glycerine; however, if you are using royal icing for flood work
  (run-out icing), do not use glycerine.
• Keep the icing covered with a damp cloth and plastic wrap. If it
  becomes stiff, adding some liquid egg whites can help to thin the icing
  to its origial consistency.
• Keep a warm, moist cloth nearby at all times! Wipe tips and
  pallet knives immediately to avoid contaminating fresh icing with
  crystallized icing.