Duff Goldman Reacts to the First Episode of Ace of Cakes EVER _ Food Network

The Toughest Delivery: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Ace of Cakes

As I began this journey to create the first episode of Ace of Cakes, I knew it was going to be a challenge. I set up shop and hired the most talented people I know - my friends Adam, Mary, Alice, Jeff, Anna, Sherry, and Mary - all eager to help me bring my vision to life. But little did I know that this first delivery would be my toughest yet.

I remember when Mary, who was just a young girl at the time, asked for a three-tier cake. She told me how much it was going to cost, and her response of "Holy God" left me speechless. Then, in a bold move, she said she'd rather do it herself. I tried to dissuade her, but ultimately, I think it's safe to say that she had my back.

As the executive sous chef, technically speaking, I didn't really know what that meant. It was all just a title, and one that seemed to have been made up on the spot by our team leader. But one thing was certain - we were in this together, and we would face any challenge that came our way.

My background is rooted in building cars and doing metal sculpture. As I began to make cakes, I quickly realized how much easier it was than traditional baking methods. Using power tools became a staple of our process, and one that I swear by to this day. It's amazing how something as simple as a power tool can change the game when it comes to cake making.

As we worked on our first cake, I couldn't believe how quickly we were able to get started. We painted the design in record time, and before long, we had a beautiful masterpiece that would surely impress anyone. But what really got my blood pumping was when Jeff got grumpy - it's become a signature part of his demeanor, and one that never fails to crack me up.

But not every cake is a success story. I recall the time we were hired by a college kid who had clearly had too much to drink. He decided to try to jam his finger into our cake, leaving us with what can only be described as the third bleed of the day. Needless to say, that was not a highlight of my delivery experience.

Despite the setbacks, I knew we had to power through and get the job done. So, we carefully loaded up the cake and set off towards the infield - a complex series of dirt paths, horse-drawn carts, and buildings that seemed like an obstacle course. It was a lot more difficult than I anticipated, but we worked together as a team to navigate the terrain.

As we finally arrived at our destination, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. We had done it - we had brought life to this cake, and transformed what could have been just another delivery into an unforgettable experience. And as I looked up at the finished product, I knew that all those hours of hard work had paid off.

Of course, there was one small price to pay for our success: a rather large amount of money lost in the process. But let's be real - when you're making cakes, sometimes you've got to take a few risks and roll with it. And besides, at least we got some cake out of it.

If you're new here, welcome to Ace of Cakes! If you've been following along from the beginning, thank you for joining me on this wild ride. I promise you - it gets funnier and more unpredictable as the seasons go by.