sounds fun, I like to dabble.
For the fondant not being edible, I have had some luck making it from scratch using powdered sugar and marshmellows, tho I really didn't give it the rest time it needed, I made it look like cheese, I even got a friend to try one of the crackers I frosted
another option is marzipan, made of ground almonds, and tastes better then fondant, example below of a Battenburge cake I made for a friends birthday
another alternative to the fondant
candy! this is a flower I made out of airheads candy
its too bad neko pans not around anymore
I also like to experiment with food, for my brothers birthday we did burgers and I made molecular ketchup aka ketchup caviar.