Ultimate Cake Off: A Contest of Culinary Construction

08/02/2009

From the Editors:

If you love Buddy's cakes, then the Ultimate Cake Off is the perfect compliment to your love of confections.

In the sneak peek, airing Monday, August 3, 10/9c, three contestants vie for a $10,000 prize, and for center stage at the Aquarium of the Pacific's Shark Summer Celebration. Host and judge Michael Schulson explains the challenge, and what ensues is a cross between Cake Boss and Discovery Channel's Shark Week. 

The three challengers design intricate and massive underwater visions. Tariq Hanna, of New Orleans, aims high with a multi-tiered, ocean-blue cake featuring sea creatures and a cake-eating shark in the center. Georgia-based Ashley Vicos begins constructing from the bottom, with crystallized sugar coral and starfish, while challenger Richard Medina installs a water pump, filled with plant life in the center of his cake. Each of the contestants are debating species of sharks, and which will resonate with the judges, and their client, The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Challengers are given a nine-hour time frame to build their ultimate cake, which would seem reasonable to the average baker. However, these cakes are not built simply from flour and sugar. Rather, dowels, platforms, and electric wiring are all hidden beneath the tiers, as the cakes reach five feet tall and hundreds of pounds. This is part construction, part artistry, and part culinary talent.

Explains Judge Leigh Grode, "It's like throwing a cake on the top of a parking garage."

For those (of us!) who always wondered if these extravagant cakes taste as good as they look, there is a taste test as part of the Ultimate Cake Off, as well as random challenges throughout the day. Winners of the challenges can choose one competitor to sit out for 30 minutes, which proves excruciating for the contestants.  

The errors and fumbles are as huge as the cake themselves, and in the end, the judges choose the winner based on client satisfaction, ttechnical ability and aesthetic appeal.

As with all reality competitions, the judges add the spice to the show. Judges Michael Schulson, Margarent Braun and Leigh Grode are never at a loss for opinions or comments, and leave the viewer wondering if any of the three is the "nice" judge.

The final judging leaves one contestant commenting that building a cake for sharks was easy,  but facing sharks for judges was not.

Find out who survived the deep sea adventure in the sneak peek of TLC's new series, "Ultimate Cake Off," Monday, August 3, at 10/9c.

Comments

[Giant Cupcake Pan]

I have no idea how they pull these cakes together with so much pressure. If anyone is even peeking over my shoulder, I can't pipe a straight line to save my life. Love watching this!

[chat]

That is very good comment you shared.Thank you so much that for you shared those things with us.Im wishing you to carry on with ur achivments.All the best.

[Vicki Brantley]

I will be turning 18 on December the 8th and I was just wondering how much would it cost to have a cake make on the show ?

[Brenda Sterling]

What's with the new staff? Watching on May 31, I saw new faces like the guy in the suit that I didn't like and didn't see Daniella whom I love. She is extremely talented. Surely she wasn't fired.

[Person you dont know]

Great show....just windering, how do you become a client??? Is there an application form???

[Hasan Genç]

I like Buddy pie

[Bakbi]

Economic crisis has no adverse effect on these sectors

[herbal viagra]

I find that the creators do a good job hollywood. especially my I love going to the movies, I like drama movies, comedy and accion.en this area there are many prominent personalities. for them is that we can enjoy good movies

[Tana]

I don't know if this is going to reach anyone that it needs to but I have to try because I love the show and have a great challenge if they would like to try for it. I am getting married in August and we work at the #1 haunted house in america. I want to try to get them to do a show and make a cake for it but I don't know how to get ahold of the right person. So if anyone knows how they could help me please let me know. Its like an adult version of beauty and the beast.

[Sanem]

I think it is a bit complicated but I've liked.
it is better if you check it again.
It is well-liked as summarized

[Nona]

what happens to the cakes after the challenges?I am so hooked on these shows!

[Anne]

I love you Buddy!!you are the screen saver on my computer

[Anne]

I love you Buddy!!you are the screen saver on my computer

[Anne]

I love you Buddy!!you are the screen saver on my computer

[Rite DeBell]

First of all I am a big fan of the show...I would also like to know how to get on the show? My daughters birthday coming up and she loves 3 different kind of movies...wich would be PETER PAN, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, AND WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. My suggestion would be to have each contestant pick a theme out of there hats and do one of the 3 themes. But it would have to be tim burton style. Each one with all the characters in the films. I would love to see the outcome of the cakes once there done.

[volkan]

I congratulate you for this blog.
I've really enjoyed.
I sincerely thank you again

[Steven Ruza]

Buddy you are the best....I plan on visiting your shop in August. I love in Michigan. - Steven Ruza

[kathy]

omg!! i love ur show so much!! all off u r the the greastest culanriy chefs ever!!!!please advise at kcallsit@aol.com PLEASE ADVISE!!!!

[V. Gehts]

We enjoyed watching each and every Ultimate Cake Off show here in Canada. In one show, there was a "SUGAR DADDY" - Dana Herbert - who took our breath away with all of his sugar work. Could there be a future show that showcases impressive sugar work talent? Could Dana Herbert be invited back as one of the three contestants for this or any other show? We would love to see Dana's talent at work again and we will anticipate that he will WIN!

[chata]

i love your cakes

[chata]

i have seen this show but i forgot what channle it is i
on

[Tasha]

Hi, Buddy I'm Tasha and I'm 14 years old and after I watched your show for the first time, I wanted to grow up and be just like you. I want to get some advice, cause I have been baking a lot and trying to decorate, but I'm not good at all. Do you have any advice to help me out? Thank You
-Tasha-

[Jaimie]

My entire household watches buddy and his family every week. Even my 3 year old son can't wait for him to come on.He even has me rewind it if he misses something. We all think it is so cute. He even watches Cake Off and Challenge. He loves it all.

[Jaimie]

My entire household watches buddy and his family every week. Even my 3 year old son can't wait for him to come on.He even has me rewind it if he misses something. We all think it is so cute. He even watches Cake Off and Challenge. He loves it all.

[kristie koonce]

Hi Buddy,

Your show inspires me. I really want to decorate cakes for all occasions, however i am a beginner and was wondering if your bakery offers any type of intership or classes? I would love to learn from the best. Please let me know where to start.