Laptop Television Mom

Cake Boss on TLC

When it comes to topics for reality TV, you can take your pick. You can find show about fashion, real estate, decorating, cooking and even hair styling.  Recently, there has been an explosion of shows about cake decorating. When it comes to watching these shows, I see two major themes: cake decorating competitions and a sneak-peek into a bakery. Here’s a look at my favorite cake-shows, as well as a nod to my ultimate favorite.

• Cake Boss on TLC — Yes, this is easily my favorite cake show on TV. The show Cake Boss highlights a family-owned bakery in New Jersey run by Buddy Valastro of Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop in Hoboken. The show has a fantastic cast of characters, including Buddy, four older sisters, three brothers-in-law and cousins galore.  Buddy is the heart and soul of the show. He is a hard worker, joker, comedian, and artist. The cakes that come out of this bakery are absolutely beautiful… but the beauty of the show is the love of the cakes, the heart (and heat) of the family, and the hilarious dialogue. Set your DVRs now.

• Ace of Cakes on Food Network — This is another show that takes us behind the scenes of a too-cool bakery, but this time we are in Maryland.  Chef Duff of Charm City Cakes in Baltimore is this cool, super-tattooed chef who makes masterful cakes representing icons from Wrigley Field to a family’s much-loved bulldog.  Duff is charming, but his cast of supporting cake artists don’t hold a candle to the artists at Buddy’s bakery.  That said, my kid’s birthday cakes don’t hold a (birthday) candle to Duff’s masterpieces.

• Ultimate Cake Off on TLC — This show is a cake-decorating competition show, and it’s pretty good. Each week, three accomplished cake decorators go head-to-head to create amazing cakes based on a common theme in just nine hours. (Point of reference: some of Duff’s cakes take 29 hours!) I’ve seen pirate cakes and shark cakes… all better than the cupcakes I made last weekend!  This show provides great insight into the heart, soul, heartache and expertise it takes to reach this level of cake design.

• Food Network Challenge “Last Cake Standing” — Food Network Challenge has many different types of challenges, but I love the cake contests. It’s the show’s first-ever elimination style show, and is my favorite of the competition-style cake shows.  Hand’s down, the best part of the show is the celebrity judge Kerry Vincent who brings a silver tongue, quick wit, amazing eye for detail, and signature headband to every show.  Kerry demands each cake artist brings an amazing level of professionalism to each design, and those of us who watch the shows are the ones who benefit.

At the end of the day, I am hooked on my cakes… have I missed any other good shows?

– LTV Mom

Photo credit: TLC