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karieh13's review against another edition
4.0
Though I am an avid Food Network devotee…I never really watch “Ace of Cakes”. It’s not that I have anything against the show itself…it’s just that I am one of the, what, 5 people in this country that despise reality TV. The snark, the nastiness, the stupid game-playing, the total lack of shame and/or pride of the people involved…no, thanks.
And yet, from reading “Ace of Cakes”…it appears that this is one reality show that has none of what I dislike about reality TV. This show is real, for one, and is about nice, talented people who love what they do and where the work. Whod’ve thunk?
The creator of the style of cake, the place (Charm City Cakes) and the great working atmosphere is Duff Goldman. In this book, the reader learns a great deal about him and the people that he’s drawn together to create magic. His talent and outlook on life and art are what inspire his business, his show and now, this book.
“Yes, art can be something that hangs on a wall, but it can also be the shape of a building, the sleek lines of a race car, or lighted images projected on a screen. And, yes, art can be something you can eat. Food as art is a temporary medium, but, like all lasting art, where it matters most is not on the plate but in your memories.”
I think what made this book so interesting for me was the love and passion that came through…mostly from Duff, but also from the other artists at Charm City Cakes and those who are now part of that family by way of the show. These people love what they do and where they work. They also love their city (Baltimore) and the man who brought them all together. All parts of “Ace of Cakes” come together in this book…the artists, the clients, those involved in the show…even those people who blog about the show. It’s a multi-faceted look at an amazing (and very positive) phenomenon. It made me think of the “If you build it, they will come…” quote from Field of Dreams. Duff Goldman imagined it, started it…and then drew people to him with his talent and personality.
The pictures and illustrations are very well done. If you can eat with your eyes…I’d better avoid the scale for a while. And the gorgeous and outrageous designs…well, there’s no putting those into words. Well, except maybe this quote from one of the decorators, Ben, might sum it up a bit: “…combining an aircraft carrier, a dog named Randolph, and a left-hand turn signal into one cake can be a daunting task.”
This book provided a fascinating look for me into an art form, a place, and some very talented and wonderful people that I knew very little about. Though I doubt I will be able to ever experience Charm City Cakes first hand, this book provided just a taste (sorry…couldn’t avoid that forever…) of what this “more than a bakery” has to offer.
“…mixing friendship with business is risky – because close camaraderie among management and staff can complicate hard business choices. Yet somehow we’ve made it work in most cases. We’re all friends who enjoy applying their skills to cake decorating…treating everyone the best you can installs a loyalty that contributes to the collective success of the business.”
And Charm City Cakes/ “Ace of Cakes” is a success indeed…and? It now has one more loyal viewer.
And yet, from reading “Ace of Cakes”…it appears that this is one reality show that has none of what I dislike about reality TV. This show is real, for one, and is about nice, talented people who love what they do and where the work. Whod’ve thunk?
The creator of the style of cake, the place (Charm City Cakes) and the great working atmosphere is Duff Goldman. In this book, the reader learns a great deal about him and the people that he’s drawn together to create magic. His talent and outlook on life and art are what inspire his business, his show and now, this book.
“Yes, art can be something that hangs on a wall, but it can also be the shape of a building, the sleek lines of a race car, or lighted images projected on a screen. And, yes, art can be something you can eat. Food as art is a temporary medium, but, like all lasting art, where it matters most is not on the plate but in your memories.”
I think what made this book so interesting for me was the love and passion that came through…mostly from Duff, but also from the other artists at Charm City Cakes and those who are now part of that family by way of the show. These people love what they do and where they work. They also love their city (Baltimore) and the man who brought them all together. All parts of “Ace of Cakes” come together in this book…the artists, the clients, those involved in the show…even those people who blog about the show. It’s a multi-faceted look at an amazing (and very positive) phenomenon. It made me think of the “If you build it, they will come…” quote from Field of Dreams. Duff Goldman imagined it, started it…and then drew people to him with his talent and personality.
The pictures and illustrations are very well done. If you can eat with your eyes…I’d better avoid the scale for a while. And the gorgeous and outrageous designs…well, there’s no putting those into words. Well, except maybe this quote from one of the decorators, Ben, might sum it up a bit: “…combining an aircraft carrier, a dog named Randolph, and a left-hand turn signal into one cake can be a daunting task.”
This book provided a fascinating look for me into an art form, a place, and some very talented and wonderful people that I knew very little about. Though I doubt I will be able to ever experience Charm City Cakes first hand, this book provided just a taste (sorry…couldn’t avoid that forever…) of what this “more than a bakery” has to offer.
“…mixing friendship with business is risky – because close camaraderie among management and staff can complicate hard business choices. Yet somehow we’ve made it work in most cases. We’re all friends who enjoy applying their skills to cake decorating…treating everyone the best you can installs a loyalty that contributes to the collective success of the business.”
And Charm City Cakes/ “Ace of Cakes” is a success indeed…and? It now has one more loyal viewer.
pwbalto's review against another edition
4.0
Page 154! My picture of my parents' 50th anniversary cake! It's teeny tiny, but it's there!
Ok now that that's out of the way. The book is not what you might expect. It is not a big beautiful glossy stroke book of the exciting and unusual cakes that Duff and his posse have created. Quite honestly, I think this is because they didn't always take great pictures of the cakes. But it is awfully entertaining nonetheless, with sections such as "The Bands of Charm City Cakes" and profiles of the nonconformist bakers and artists on the crew.
When my mom and I sat down with Duff and showed him the extremely weird, extremely intricate china pattern border that we wanted on the cake, he did not bat an eyelash. And the cake came out GORGEOUS. So the other night, after waiting in the rain an hour and a half to get a copy signed for mom and dad, I pointed out our cake to Katie, who had decorated it. "Oh! I remember that cake!" she said. "That cake was HARD!" I briefly considered the fact that that cake cost more than my mortgage payment, and I was tempted to say, "GOOD!" but in the end, I didn't.
Ok now that that's out of the way. The book is not what you might expect. It is not a big beautiful glossy stroke book of the exciting and unusual cakes that Duff and his posse have created. Quite honestly, I think this is because they didn't always take great pictures of the cakes. But it is awfully entertaining nonetheless, with sections such as "The Bands of Charm City Cakes" and profiles of the nonconformist bakers and artists on the crew.
When my mom and I sat down with Duff and showed him the extremely weird, extremely intricate china pattern border that we wanted on the cake, he did not bat an eyelash. And the cake came out GORGEOUS. So the other night, after waiting in the rain an hour and a half to get a copy signed for mom and dad, I pointed out our cake to Katie, who had decorated it. "Oh! I remember that cake!" she said. "That cake was HARD!" I briefly considered the fact that that cake cost more than my mortgage payment, and I was tempted to say, "GOOD!" but in the end, I didn't.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
5.0
You've heard of Duff Goldman. You may not know his name, but you know his work. As the owner of Charm City Cakes, he makes his way into your living room every week with Ace of Cakes, the reality show that documents the cakes made for various events and the stories behind them.
This is not a cookbook, but rather a documentation of how Charm City Cakes came to be and how it came to be on TV. There are also bios of all the cast and crew of the show, plus details on how the show is produced. I, for one, finally learned what a writer on a reality show actually does.
This book also includes lots, and lots of photos. Photos of finished cakes, photos of cakes in progress, photos of the various bands to which the Charm City crew all belong.
If I had any criticism, it would be that the cake gallery is too small. I would have preferred page after page of cakes and a short paragraph about the cake rather than the six page fold out that looked more like a yearbook collage.
Still worth picking up.
This is not a cookbook, but rather a documentation of how Charm City Cakes came to be and how it came to be on TV. There are also bios of all the cast and crew of the show, plus details on how the show is produced. I, for one, finally learned what a writer on a reality show actually does.
This book also includes lots, and lots of photos. Photos of finished cakes, photos of cakes in progress, photos of the various bands to which the Charm City crew all belong.
If I had any criticism, it would be that the cake gallery is too small. I would have preferred page after page of cakes and a short paragraph about the cake rather than the six page fold out that looked more like a yearbook collage.
Still worth picking up.
girrlfriday's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this, but I'm a sucker for behind the scenes details :)
blueranger9's review against another edition
4.0
As a fan of the show, and the work the team creates, I was delighted to pick this book up. The interviews were quirky and fun to read, and it was cool to learn about the Charm City Cakes story. I think it awesome that Duff et al. have come up with a business model that is both innovative and successfully spirited. It's so great to come across a team as talented as this one who not only believes in the aesthetic beauty of cakes, but focuses a lot on the functionality and their ability to execute complex cakes. It's pretty inspiring and had me wanting to whip out the eggs and flour. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it got a bit repetitive and tedious reading about how EVERY single person on staff and crew came to CCC, but I suppose that those who want to know what the producers thought of the initial concept and idea would be thrilled by how deep the book went. Overall it was a fun read, and the photos of the cakes were great. It seems like a wondrous place to work.
madhamster's review against another edition
4.0
I am an Ace of Cakes show addict, so this insight into the lives of the creators was appreciated. The artistry - and fun - in their creations leaves me speechless.
I don't see myself decorating any cakes any time soon, but was more than happy to appreciate the skill.
I don't see myself decorating any cakes any time soon, but was more than happy to appreciate the skill.
megfang315's review
3.0
The book wasn't bad, per se. I just thought that it was going to be a memoir or a cookbook.
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