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Kate and Will inspire Royal Icing Weekend on Food Network

By April MacIntyre Apr 16, 2011, 6:59 GMT

04/11/2011 - Atmosphere - Prince William and Kate Middleton Visit Witton Country Park in Darwen on April 11, 2011 - Witton Country Park - Darwen, UK © Landmark / PR Photos

Kate Middleton and Prince William are inspiring all kinds of programming on networks, as their wedding draws near.

Food Network honors the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton with “Royal Icing Weekend” on Saturday, April 23rd and Sunday, April 24th. 

Special wedding-themed episodes of favorite series will air throughout the weekend, leading up to a new episode of Last Cake Standing and sneak peek of the brand-new show Have Cake Will Travel.  

Online, FoodNetwork.com has assembled a “how to” guide on throwing an at-home Royal Wedding watch party, along with photo galleries, historical facts on British food, and cake recipes fit for a Queen. Visit www.foodnetwork.com/royalicing for more ideas on how to celebrate like royalty.

Programming includes:

    * Dessert First with Anne Thornton: Saturday, April 23rd at 12:30pm ET/PT, “Ultimate Chocolate Cakes”
    * Food Network Challenge: Saturday, April 23rd at 8pm ET/PT, “Extreme Wedding Cakes”
    * Food Network Challenge: Saturday, April 23rd at 9pm ET/PT, “Giant Wedding Cakes”
    * Cupcake Wars: Saturday, April 23rd at 10pm ET/PT, “Wedding Planner”
    * Last Cake Standing: Sunday, April 24th at 9pm ET/PT, “Magic Cakes”
    * Have Cake, Will Travel: Sunday, April 24th at 10pm ET/PT, SNEAK PEEK

Food Network expert pastry chef Anne Thornton (Dessert First) and cake decorating queen Ashley Vicos (Have Cake Will Travel) are available for interviews to discuss cake recipes, techniques, trends and demos:

Anne Thornton (Dessert First, Saturdays at 12:30pm ET/PT)

Anne Thornton shares indulgent recipes for tantalizing treats on Dessert First. Anne demystifies and simplifies the world of pastry and dessert by showing viewers the ins and outs to no-fear baking.

From flaky pastries to ice cream cake, her techniques prove that any home cook can create impressive desserts.  Anne studied at the Institute of Culinary Education, and then landed a job in culinary production where she gained behind-the-scenes media skills – a glimpse into her future at Food Network.

Anne also worked as a personal chef before joining New York’s highly acclaimed restaurant, The Waverly Inn in 2006, where she honed her skills as a pastry chef and assistant general manager working under notable chef John DeLucie. In 2009, Anne made the move to the exclusive New York restaurant, Hotel Griffou, where she worked as executive pastry chef and event coordinator until June 2010.  Anne has appeared on CBS Early Show, Today Show, Nate Berkus Show and Rachael Ray Show.

Ashley Vicos (Have Cake Will Travel, Sneak Peek April 24th /Series Premiere on Tuesday, April 26th at 9pm ET/PT)

Ashley Vicos has been professionally decorating cakes for eleven years and owns Sweet Ashley’s, a private baking studio in Atlanta.  Her high-demand cakes have become so popular, she also travels around the country baking for high-profile events and top-tier clientele. 

Born and raised in New Orleans, her passion for cake decorating began at age five with an Easy-Bake Oven and led to a career specializing in sculpted and custom cake work.  In addition to creating one-of-a-kind cakes, she teaches small groups and private cake decorating classes.   A divorced mom of three daughters, Ashley has been featured on Food Network, TLC, CBS, NBC, American Cake Decorating Magazine and Modern Baking Magazine.