All I know of this Duff/Goef are what I'm reading about here. Who is he/they and does he have a website so I can view his work? I looked at Warren Brown's site and he does yummy looking work! Definitely not anyhing I'd call elaborate, but like someone else said I'd sure eat anything he put before me because it all ooks special and delicious. I guess I need to start checking the Food Network for these shows.
CarolAnn....HI there.....Duff owns Charm City Cakes and Goef is a friend that works for him....Duff gave him the title of "executive sous chef" on the show.
The website is amazing....
http://www.charmcitycakes.com/
Irene 
After dealing with the kids & school & soccer and cakes I was beat. Maybe they will re-run it, off to check the listings 
I guess I am the only one, but I did not like the show last night. It seems to me that very little cake is involved in Charm City Cakes, at least what they show on TV. The show is called Ace of Cakes, so show some Cakes. Not just fondant sculptures.
Also, is no one else bothered by the fact that Duff cuts wood and welds in the same building that the cakes are decorated in? If you have ever been around sawdust, it spreads. And welding doesn't smell that great either.
He is creative, but I'm not sure how much of an Ace of Cakes he is. I have seen much better work from people here on this site.
jstritt
I understand what you mean. He may seem talented, but I think he maybe more TV character that true cake artist? Easier to wrap a show around his personality then maybe someone elses artistic talent.....I got the same feelings on the food network challenges. He was fun to watch but always feel through on the execution of the product. Driving home my point on delivery posted earlier.
As far as shop work, we don't even know if it is on the same floor or even in the same room. So I am not sure of cross contamination.
My point being: If I sawed PVC pipe in my basement, would that be a problem when I place it into my cake in the kitchen?
Wondering how others feel....
I love this show! I watch it because it is entertaining, not because I am thinking I will learn something. I also think there are some amazingly talented people here on CC, but I also think Duff and his crew are amazingly talented. I guess I am just a little surprised when someone isn't impressed by his work. I can't help but be impressed. I also just thought of the whole flamingo project as a dummy cake.
And as for the welding, sawing, I thought that that was ina seperate room? I coud be wrong, but that's what it looked like.
Kelly
I haven't see this particular show but what I have to keep in mind watching TV is that what I'm seeing is a set and not particularly where everything is actually prepared. Many times things are done off site to save time. He can't exactly be welding on the tv show, as that'd be dangerous for the audience for one thing, not to mention the fire hazard. I think these people are selected for not only their cooking/baking talent but their presentation/appeal to an audience. It may be the flare with wich a person does what they do as much (or more) as the quality of their work.
I just couldn't stay up to watch last night, and I'm so bummed now! Is there any where that you can watch clips of it online, or at least see pics?
I guess I am the only one, but I did not like the show last night. It seems to me that very little cake is involved in Charm City Cakes, at least what they show on TV. The show is called Ace of Cakes, so show some Cakes. Not just fondant sculptures.
Also, is no one else bothered by the fact that Duff cuts wood and welds in the same building that the cakes are decorated in? If you have ever been around sawdust, it spreads. And welding doesn't smell that great either.
He is creative, but I'm not sure how much of an Ace of Cakes he is. I have seen much better work from people here on this site.
I definetly agree with you.!
over here I see a lot more people with better talent
but....the reason i like to watch this show it is..just to learn something it doesnt matter one tiny thing a show....dont care if his cakes has dust metal wood ..whatever i just want to learn 
im still learnig, plus im learning from somebody that deals already with reality...I loved i was laughing like crazy to see poor Duff....trying to take those flamingos in that jeep.. 
and the rain coming..
i think that was my favorite part
i tough that too.. he should...get a rented truck too..but...i think he probably has other things in his mind and when you are in stress..tell me if you think right
just like in the movies u see the monster coming and u scream ! move run ! why are u staying there like a dah! 
but when we are in a case like that???????
most of people freezes too..we are seeing it but..we are not in their shoes....
and my husband ... 
very talented too...in his stuff ...but...very very VERY desorganized!
so maybe Duff it is like that cause at that challenge i met him and he was sucks! there .
...when he was playing more..than making his cake....
tells me...he dont pays attention really that much at details...
but i love too see the show too..and I never see him making a cake ??
the fist was great, but i see the girls are the ones that makes the good job there,his dads cake..wasnt a wow cake...
..yeah he put that fire work was cool..but not a wow cake?
his airbrushing was good in the dog...i think he must be some good too...i think he design the cakes...but can he actually make it that great..looking
something it is drawing but actually making it????
all i saw it was a cake , uggly boat cake at the challenge...and good cakes at his web but but...i saw in the show the girls makes those cakes not him????????
i guess he has those people to that job...he already ..did his part well he is the boss right??
but i dont know....i would like to see him doing one cake at least one cake byhimself and then i will be ok Duff ..u are good
i dont know got this bad impression from him at that challengue cake
he was supposed to show how good he is not making and titanic boat there!
It is so amazing how each week there is a new thread about ace of cakes... some of you love it,... some of you just hate it! ( so my question is... why are you watching the show if you hate it so much?)
Personally I love it. IT is like a reality show where you can see all the things that these guys go through just like you and me.
I think is a funny show and even that they don't show detail instructions on how to make a cake, you can learn new things everysingle time, just by watching them work.
I love the show... I just saw the previews for next week.. They're doing a cake for Jay Leno in shape of a motor. Should be interesting!!!
I think its also important to point out that for TV they are going to pick the most ENTERTAINING parts of hours and hours of filming to pack into about what 20 actual minutes of show? I think I read in another thread that they film all week for each episode...that is literally hours of film...all cut down for 20 minutes of airtime. I don't think we are going to get to see many of the more "normal" cakes on this show because they are trying to showcase the outlandish creations... IMO
I think its just a hoot...
I looked at the cakelove web site too, and his cakes definately sound good (but, look at his prices too), and his finish is not even really a smooth BC. So, I think for him it is really all about the flavor, and the presentation is more, I would maybe call it "homestyle" I think. Beautiful, but not fondant.
And Geof cracks me up! His delivery when he has his little under the breath comments are so funny!
I would also say, that if you work with fondant and cakes all day everyday you probably get way more confortable in the medium. You may therefore seem more sloppy, or like you are throwing it around, but in actuality it is simply because your comfort level is higher. For example, the way I changed my first child's diaper was WAY DIFFERENT than the way I change my 3rd's 
I like the show, and I'm not sure that I got the same impression that many others seem to have gotten. Which is, the show was suppose to teach.
I don't believe that's what the show is for.
I think it is to show you how entertaining cakes can be and the potential that cakes offer. It gives the cake world (bakers and customers) some ideas that they don't just have to have a flat cake with flowers on it, and that a personality can be given to a cake. And have some fun.
IMHO
I like the show, and I'm not sure that I got the same impression that many others seem to have gotten. Which is, the show was suppose to teach.
I don't believe that's what the show is for.
I think it is to show you how entertaining cakes can be and the potential that cakes offer. It gives the cake world (bakers and customers) some ideas that they don't just have to have a flat cake with flowers on it, and that a personality can be given to a cake. And have some fun.
IMHO
First -- i have to say that I love this show!
But I also have to say that NEVER did I get the impression that Ace of Cakes was supposed to be instructional! I always thought it was more along the lines of Unwrapped -- informative and fun, piquing your interest but not divulging every secret.
As for Duff's studio, people have commented on the fact that he cuts wood and welds in the studio, etc. I have a hard time believing that the State of Maryland would let him continue to sell cakes if his company wasn't following food preparation rules and guidelines.
I watch this for the WOW factor just as much as for the entertainment of watching others have issues w/ fondant just like me! Not to nitpick everything! 
I have something else to add about Goef's dome.....twice they mentioned how hard it was going to be to serve because it was so tall. It seemed to me like they had an "oh, well" attitude towards it.
They could have made two cakes and stacked them, making it very easy for the servers at the wedding. Why do you suppose they didn't?
I thought they had a bit of cake attitude myself. It did bother me a bit. Also, It appears to me that they just slide the cakes in the van with no sanitary covering or at least place the base in a box---like Sylvia Weinstock does---and like I do. I think it's a bit unsanitary, if you ask me. All in all I still like the show and Duff's unque approach to cake design.
I love the show. I love Duff. I've spoken to Mary Alice via email. I use Duff's buttercream recipe and it's my favorite.
I love everything Duff. LOL
Anyway...I love it when things go wrong - it shows that they are human and well, stuff just happens! I'm still waiting to see a fondant bulge...but I doubt that will happen with all that experience!
As far as the sanitation aspect, I'm sure he does his welding/cutting in other rooms.
Where did you get Duff's buttercream recipe? I would like to try that.
I wish I had CABLE!!! I want to watch this show so bad! 
Maybe the flamigos were rice crispies...he did that in an earlier episode.
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