Ace of Cakes
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Reality show offers fun look at making fantastical desserts.

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What's the Story?
ACE OF CAKES follows the day-to-day antics of pastry chef Duff Goldman at his Baltimore bakery. Cameras roll as the affable owner of Charm City Cakes designs and creates over-the-top desserts with the help of his spirited staff, including friends like executive sous chef Geof Manthorne, cake builder Ben Turner, and bakery art director Anna Ellison. The creative gang combines traditional methods with unconventional techniques that require drill saws and blowtorches in order to create cakes that look like giant dinosaurs, moving roller coasters, and even a replica of Harry Potter's Hogwarts Castle. It isn't easy, but the crew always manages to find a way to build and decorate cakes that satisfy their clients' big imaginations.
Is It Any Good?
Ace of Cakes offers an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at what goes into designing and creating master cakes in one of the most popular bakeries in America. It also shows off the high-end skills that Chef Duff and his talented team bring to cake design, including intricate decorating work and sugar sculpting.
Some of the team's quirky habits and crazy antics -- like trying to play hockey with Olympic-caliber disabled hockey players and carefully flying across the country with elite clients' cakes in hand -- are definitely fun to watch. But it's the high level of teamwork and professionalism exhibited by this likable team that really makes the show a positive viewing experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about "behind-the-scenes" reality shows. Do business owners appear on these shows to generate publicity for their business? Are there other reasons?
What makes this kind of reality show interesting to viewers? How real do you think the people are when the cameras are rolling? Do you think the cast of this show is as fun and friendly as they seem on TV?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 17, 2006
- Cast: Anna Ellison, Duff Goldman, Geof Manthorne
- Network: Food Network
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Cooking and Baking
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: November 5, 2022
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