50 Goes Fabulous

This bold and playful 50th Birthday cake was ordered by our client as a surprise for his wife. Other than a few small requests -- fun shapes, purple and yellow colors and possibly orchids integrated into the design -- he gave Rick carte blanche on his wife's surprise cake. Rick gave our client everything he asked for and more. He wanted her cake to be fabulous and a bold expression of celebration for this significant year. When we delivered her cake we got to meet his wife and she loved her cake. She seemed truly touched by the gesture and we had a great time making it for her!

Hi Rick and Sasha,

Thanks again for making such a wonderful AND delicious cake. My wife loved
it and all were impressed by it's color and design. Mahalo nui for
helping make a memorable evening.

Aloha,

Pat



Aloha 'til next time ...

TLC's Best Food Ever - Bodacious Bakeries

All photos courtesy of TLC

Last monday TLC premiered a new 6-episode series called "Best Food Ever", a culinary tour of the nation's best eateries narrated by John Goodman. For a couple of foodies like us, this is our idea of quality television at its finest and thankfully we can watch it in High Definition! I'm a sucker for anything that involves a countdown, especially when it concerns food and not just any food but the best food in a given catergory. Top 10 of anything, sign me up, I'm there, but if it's about food the eats better be good! The series kicked off with "Sensational Sandwiches" which was the most hunger-inducing virtual tour I've taken in a long time. I was completely ruined for the rest of the night and all I could think about was the Cuban pork sandwich at Paseo and when was the next time I could get to Seattle to consume one.

Having already set the DVR to record the next episode "Bodacious Bakeries" which airs on TLC next Monday, May 10th at 9pm EST (3PM Hawaii time) on HD, we were so excited when we were invited by TLC to have an exclusive opportunity to preview the show in advance. As a member of the TLC Cake Crew, watching exclusive sneak peeks is just one of the many perks we've been enjoying. After viewing "Bodacious Bakeries", I must admit, you are in for a real sweet treat with this one! Whether you make cakes, cupcakes, artisan breads or cookies, this is an episode every baker will enjoy, and if you prefer to consume your sweets rather than make them, "Bodacious Bakeries" will have you jumping in your car and heading for the nearest bakery on the list.

By now you must be wondering who is on the list. Isn't that the purpose of watching a countdown, to find out who made the list? I'm not going to ruin it by listing all the names of the bakeries who made the cut and what their position on the countdown is. For that you will have to tune in. I can share a few of the bakeries that will be featured. One of my favorite bakeries Macrina Bakery in Seattle made the cut. Their artisan breads and Lemon tart is to die for!


For the cupcake lovers out there, Galaxy Cupcakes in Georgetown, Texas made the list. Famous for their "cuptails" cocktail flavored cupcakes, at this swanky cuptail lounge you can order a Cosmopolitan, Margarita or Strawberry Daquiri cupcake.


From the whirring sounds of industrial mixers to the rolling of the pastry dough, whether you bake professionally or not, this show is a feast for the senses. With each bakery you are transported into their world and invited to experience the culinary specialties at each location. For those of you who like a good dose of food porn, as we do, it doesn't get any better than a "Better than Sex" brownie, "The Creamy Seduction" cookie and one of my personal faves, a yummy, gooey Peanut Butter French toast on made from scratch Challah bread. Topped with caramelized brown sugar bananas, I could barely contain myself it looked sooo good! Wish I had a photo to share. For those of you desiring something a little more G-rated, there's the "Companies Coming" cake from Brown Betty Dessert Boutique, a delightful bakery in Philadelphia who names their desserts after family members.

The quotes by the customers throughout the show are priceless. Some of my favorites, "We like things big just like Kelly's hair" and "Zesty and creamy, it's just an amazingly alive bursting with flavor experience!" After viewing the Best Food Ever "Bodacious Bakeries" episode, I headed into our kitchen ravenous for sweets. Luckily Rick took mercy on me and fed me a piece of cake. Tonight I will dream of giant bodacious piles of hand-dipped Torrone.


"Best Food Ever: Bodacious Bakeries" airs Monday, May 10th at 9PM EST. For more information on TLC's "Best Food Ever" series including future airdates and upcoming episodes, visit tlc.discovery.com.

Aloha, 'til next time!

Poker Table Cake

Today's blog is dedicated to our pal Eric, one of the best, most dedicated poker players we know.

All the pieces were perfectly in place for Evan's Poker themed 40th Birthday party. A private dining room at a popular restaurant was rented out. Alcohol was flowing freely and the poker tables were ready for action, along with a room full of eager guests ready to start playing. All that was missing was the perfect cake suitable for a poker loving gentleman about to turn forty, and thanks to his wife who planned this whole surprise, he would have a cake so realistic, he wouldn't know whether to bet his chips or eat them.

Rick sculpted the poker table out of our super yummy Hot Fudge Sundae cake, a rich and decadent flavor that was sure to please everyone. Every piece on the cake was crafted by hand and edible. When we arrived and placed the cake on the table, some guests immediately came to admire it, and Evan was so thrilled and surprised when he saw his cake. He was now ready to go All in!

Aloha, 'til next time!

50 Fun Cake

We're loving that people are requesting bright fun cakes with wild themes for 50th birthdays. We'd like to think that 50 is the new 30, but perhaps that is because it's only a decade or so away for us. You know how when you're 20, anyone over the age of 30 may as well have one foot in the grave? Then you turn 40 and think 50 can be one of your best years yet! Frankly, we're glad that our client opted to go with a fab 5-0 cake than something more depressing like a tombstone. She gave Rick complete creative control and told him to make something fun and impressive for her close friend's 50th birthday. They didn't need a huge cake, but one with a BIG impact. For his design, Rick went wild and colorful, with fun balls and swirlies popping out of the cake and a big 5-0 right on top! Happy Birthday Debbie!

Aloha 'til next time!