He's Duff and They Call Him the Ace of Cakes

And it sure would suck if he wasn't

Duff and his team of decorators of CCC

 What would be your dream cake? Your favorite toy in chocolate? Movie character in bananna foster? Or something funny in red velvet? There are cake decorating companies that go big on a cake their customers ask for. One cake business is called Charm City Cakes. Charm City is woned by pastry chef/ decorator Duff Goldman. Most people recognize him from his Food Network show Ace of Cakes. Duff and his team of workers can make any kind of cake you can think of. From a classic wedding cake to a gian monster. Duff started his cake company in his apartment after graduating pastry school. The first cake Duff ever made was for his co-manager Mary Alice who needed a cake for her brother's wedding.

In Duff's world cake is like clay. He can shape it into anything from and Iphone to the Notre Dame in France. Charm City Cakes make their creations one of their forty-nine flavors of cake. They have flavors that are original (chocolate, yellow, white) to crazy concoctions (Dulce de leche, egg nog, peanut butter and jelly).

Duff has a creative bunch of co-workers. One of them is his friend Geof who has worked by his side since the beginning. Geof's specialties are cars, guitars and pretty much anything that isn't totally fancy piping designs. Geof has gone to many events with Duff like the Kung Fu Panda Premiere and the opening of the new Yankee stadium. A tip that Geof would give to anyone who wants to go into the cake department is "If you have the time, think through the process of decorating the cake. Your cake will be cleaner and fresher if well planned."

Duff's bakery is like no other. The cakes they make usually put a smile on the face of the the person who bus one. And if they don't Duff has a quote fro that "They may say 'Wow that sucks!!' but at least they'll say 'Wow.'' Duff has been on Food Network and has had cake failures before. but when possible Duff Goldman will go out BIG. Whether it's fireworks or moving contraptions Duff will put them in. Duff puts contraptions and fireworks in cakes for clients as well. One example of a crazy firework display was the 50th anniversary of Macys in New York where Duff placed a lot of fireworks that were shooting off the top of the cake.

Tips from other crew members can help out a lot too. Ben Turner says"Think outside the box (Please- I am very serious about this.)" Kathrine Hill gives the tip "If you're really excited about having some sparkly elements to your wedding cake, then go ahead and do it- but only a little. Pick one thing to shimmer (such as a light golden fondant) but keep everything else matte(piping, flowers, ribbon.) Too much can be completely overbearing." Cake decorator Sherri Chambers Fisher says to "Always make a sketch. Doing this first helps simplify and translate complex forms and ideas into the basic shapes you will need to construct. It also allows you to address structural questions before it's too late."

But if you want to be the baker not the cake decorator Adam Goldstein has a few tips."To avoid catastrophe, store eggs and butter at 38 degrees to avoid a caketastrophe allow them to come to room temperature before mixing."; "The toothpick test is still the best way to determine if a cake is done- give it a poke in the center, and if it comes out clean, you're good to go."; and "If your cake turns out a little dry, try eliminating an egg white or two next time."

One of Duffs most happy things is when Charm City Cakes get repeated clients. they have one customer who has had a cake made for everyone of his birthdays so far. Another thing is he just enjoys being able to work with an awesome group of decorators and baker. Check out Duff's show on Food Network nighttime every week to see more of his awesome creations.

By Corinne G.

Bibliography: Ace of Cakes by Duff and Willie Goldman copywrite 2009