FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Fine Art of Creating Fun Bakeware
Sculptor cooks up new designs and crafty uses for silicone molds

Kensington, Connecticut- Sculptor/designer Sandra Lira is taking silicone bakeware to the next level. The award winning artist’s company, Zanda Panda, offers a new line of multi-purpose silicone molds that can be used for much more than just baking. The designs have a toy-like quality with their ultra bright colors and whimsical themes promising endless fun, begging you to take them home to play. Upcoming designs feature exotic animals, carousels and prancing unicorns for kids (and the young at heart) and elegant nature/garden inspired designs for more grown-up entertaining. The packaging entices with inventive recipes and ideas for using the molds in unexpected ways. The company’s website, zandapanda.com, offers step-by-step instructions for creating not just traditionally baked treats and cold desserts, but also art, craft and children’s projects and a fun method for making dessert ‘backwards’.  Another important feature of the website is a forum for sharing ideas, tips and recipes. “We want to cultivate a sense of community and foster a sharing, creative environment,” the sculptor states.

One of the highlights of the website includes instructions and demos for “No-Bake Backwards Cakes”. These cakes utilize a chocolate or confectionary coating that picks up even the most intricate details of the molds and can be gilded with edible ‘metallic’ powders. Recipes are also included for a version that kids can make all by themselves using edible clays.

Also featured on the website are kid-friendly recipes and craft projects such as cast paper appliqués for notecards, party favors and scrapbooking, as well as tasty treats like lollipops and embossed PB&J sandwiches. Upcoming demos will include embellishing children's furniture, making 3D calzones, even soap and candle making (and just for fun, sculpting lessons for kids).

The key to creating these intricate designs lies in the unique properties of food-grade silicone. “I’ve been using silicone molds for years to create bronze and resin sculpture,” states Lira. “It faithfully reproduces even the most intricately detailed designs.” Silicone’s flexibility and a unique, state-of-the-art manufacturing process allow Lira to create designs that cannot be reproduced in rigid metal, glass or ceramic bakeware. “The manufacturing process for Zanda Panda molds is more complicated than that of other silicone bakeware, but the extra steps are necessary to create designs with this level of detail and dimensionality.” Lira adds. Silicone products are also oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe, due to its heat resistant properties. More information on silicone can be found on the company’s website.

Zanda Panda molds can be found at select gourmet housewares and specialty stores or can be ordered directly from zandapanda.com.

For more information, please visit zandapanda.com or contact:

Sandra Lira
(860) 922-4060
Lira@sculptor.net

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