Hey everyone,

This week I wanted to showcase an amazing cake that Katherine and Neil created. It just so happens to be one of my favorite guitars, a Fender Telecaster! The body of the guitar is a delicious Vanilla with Chocolate Buttercream. So this design is winning for me on many levels.

The fantastic thing about the construction of this cake is the strings are real, the neck is wooden and the scale is correct. Any true guitarist or music fan would be thrilled to have this come out at their birthday. (I know I would.) The team painstakingly recreated this guitar in epic fashion. The patterned fondant, the bridge and even the screws in the covered Humbucker pick-ups shows the meticulousness of the design.

Kudos to Katherine and Neil on building such a memorable cake for this special birthday!

I wonder if they’ll build me a Gretsch drum kit for my birthday? (I wouldn’t put it past them.)

Rock on!

Marty

Hiya!

The lovely Stephanie over at Fab You Bliss took the time to feature Anna and Katherine’s wonderful cakes from our recent California Collection. The selection of works from both designers shows the spectrum of work that our team can produce. Stephanie makes a great point about the detail in both Anna and Katherine’s cakes.

Simple elegant cakes can also contain the subtlest of details to make them extra special. Something I like to mention to our customers when considering their cake design is textures! White on white can work beautifully as a textural effect. So step outside of the box when thinking about your design. Our team will always give you some direction if you need it!

Check it out fabyoubliss.com HERE

Cheers,
Marty

Hey Hey!

So, like, there’s this incredible show on TV called, um, Glee.
Do you know it?
OMG!
You do?
Well, who like doesn’t?
So anyway, we like made this A-MAZING giant slushie cake for them because all those William McKinley High School kids to enjoy a Charm City Cakes version of their favorite beverage.

You can, like, read about it HERE!

xoxo
Marty

Heya!

I love posting these photos. Mainly because our team is always busy creating these wonderful creations for you to feast your eyes on…
as well as please your belly. Take a look at some my recent favorites
from our team here at Charm City Cakes West. They will no doubt inspire all you cake creators out there to push your cake building ideas to the next level. Remember, take a look at my recent post about private lessons with Anna or Katherine. Enjoy!

Cheers,
Marty

On June 11, the Vetri Foundation for Children will be hosting
their 8th Annual Great Chefs Event at the Urban Outfitters Headquarters, Navy Yard in Philadelphia. The event was designed
to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Chef Duff
will be joining the amazing assembly of talented Chef’s from
around the country and beyond.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by Alexandra Scott
back in 2000, with the help of her brother. Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer, two days before her first birthday. At 4, after receiving a stem cell transplant and informed her mother, “when I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand.” Alex raised an amazing $2000 for “her hospital” and to “help other kids, like they helped me.” Up until her passing in 2004, Alex had raised over $1 million dollars. An incredible story and a truly inspirational individual.

Chef Duff is proudly participating in The Vetri Foundation’s Great Chefs Event to honor Alex’s legacy. Along with all the amazing chef’s on the roster, Chef Duff will deliver the guests with a truly delicious cake experience that only Charm City Cakes can deliver.

Cheers,
Marty

Attention budding Cake Designers!

The team at Charm City Cakes West are now offering private lessons. Yes, you can sign up to have personalised lessons with Anna or Katherine and learn those fundamental techniques to improve your future cake creations.

Their years of experience will help you take your cakes to the next level. The work below was produced as a result of our private lessons. So if you are looking to master the use of fondant or want to pick up tips and techniques for composition and construction, get in contact with us and book in for some classes.

Click HERE to download Private Lessons Info

Cheers,
Marty

The lovely Zoom Theory were kind enough to share their latest round of photos from the recent Love Tour event in Los Angeles. Charm City Cakes West was on hand at the event sharing our love for all things cake related and spreading the love by giving out samples of our delicious Vegan Chocolate and Beurre Noisette cupcakes! We’re always ready to represent our famous baked creations at these awesome events. Come see us and ask our friendly staff any questions you may have about your wedding cake ideas. We will make anything you can think of. Yes, anything!

Cheers,
Marty

Hey cake fans,

The Charm City Cakes Baltimore team released its summer collection last week. Take a look at one of their beautiful cakes:

Go check out the rest of their collection here: http://cccsummercollection.com/2013/

We just loved this summer collection so much we couldn’t wait to start our own. The team is working hard behind the scenes creating some eye-popping, jaw-dropping and mouth-watering cakes. We want this showcase to inspire and tempt all you cake lovers to get involved with Charm City Cakes West. So, stay tuned to the blog, Twitter and Instagram! We look forward to presenting these pieces to you and hope you love them as much as our designers loved making them.

Cheers,
Marty

Here’s a fusion of two of my most favorite things.
Now I’m hungry. I’m thinking it’s time for brunch.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,
Marty

Wedding bells were in the air the past few months. In fact they seem to be around us all the time! We love making and baking bespoke cakes for all those lovers out there ready to tie the knot. The team have been super busy with events all around Los Angeles. Bridal shows like The Cream, Soolip, Unveiled and Mountain Gate Country Club invited us to be involved with their events. We love to get out and see everyone and give you the chance to talk with our cake designers first-hand! It’s these interactions that allow you to ask us those burning questions, like: “Can my wedding cake be in shaped like cupid firing an arrow through a cloud?” I’m kidding.  (But we could totally do that! haha) So if you find yourself at an event and you see the team, please stop by. Have a chat and sample some of our delicious treats. Happy planning love birds!

Cheers,
Marty

I just had to post this Mega cake we made for a birthday.

Man this team is amazing!

Cheers,
Marty

Heya!

We have finally made it to Instagram!
Follow us @charmcitycakeswest
Go on, get your insta-cake fix!

Cheers,
Marty

Hi Cake Lovers,

Just a short word to let everyone know you can visit our shop on Saturday between 10:30-6. We are located 8302 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90069. Near the corner of Sweetzer Avenue.

I’ll be on hand to field your questions, grab your details and get the ball rolling on that delicious one-of-a-kind cake to wow all your friends and family.

So come in, get inspired and say hello!

Cheers,
Marty.

Our staff went above and beyond to create an edible city for the video game, Sim City, which allows players to make to make their own world from the ground up. Just like building a real city, we needed all the help we could get on this cake city, which consists of seven buildings, green parks, advertisements on billboards and cars on the road. Don’t forget to look up or you will miss other details of this sugary city like the flying blimp, a light up penthouse and the towering construction. We appreciate that Sim City opens a world of creativity for its players and are grateful to provide a sweet city for them.

We had an absolute blast meeting everyone at the first stop of the 2013 Love Tour and wanted to share some of the amazing photos Zoom Theory posted here!

Click here for more information about the next date on February 17th at the La Venta Inn!

Charm City Cakes West is thrilled to announce will be participating in Southern California’s 2013 Wedding Love Tour.

The Wedding Love Tour is a boutique bridal bash for the modern couple! This is a place where you can come to have a glass of wine, noch on some delicious food and mingle with great vendors while being inspired. Unlike your typical sensory overloaded bridal show The Love Tour is a intimate showcase with quality professionals who love their job and can’t wait to meet some amazing couples.

Video featuring the 2012 Love Tour

Click here for more information about the tour, and here for the tour’s Facebook page!

You can also follow the tour on Twitter @WeddingLoveTour & with the Instagram Hashtag #weddinglovetour

We’ll (of course) be serving up some delicious cake, so hope to see you all there!

Hi everyone!

Anna, our Executive Chef and star of Ace of Cakes, will be teaching a Master Class over at Duff’s Cake Mix on January 16,17,23, and 24th. If you have some decorating experience and are looking to expand your skills, and create some jaw-dropping cakes,  this is just the class for you! Please see the flyer below and feel free to email Cake Mix at info@duffscakemix.com to find out more!

Check out this video from 1st Look to see Duff in action at Cake Mix

Hi everyone!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving filled with family, food, and plenty of cheer!

Did you know that you can take cake decorating classes at Duff’s Cake Mix?

Did you also know that CCCW and Ace of Cakes‘ very own Katherine Hill will be teaching a 2 day professional decorating course coming up on December 12th & 13th? Katherine will be sharing her skills & guiding you through the process so you can create your very own sculpted candy house cake for the holidays!

Isn’t it just too cute?!

This would be great to show off at an upcoming holiday bash, just say you’ll be bringing the dessert!

You can find out more here but get in quick before space runs out!

Stay tuned for more classes hosted by the talented artists at Charm City Cakes West in the future.

Ever wish you could take a class to learn how to build, fondant, and decorate like the pros?  Those of you here in Los Angeles can do just that as part of Duff’s Cake Mix Decorating Classes!  Click here for more information at the Cake Mix site!

You know it’s the Halloween season when Duff’s FoodTube video features him chefing up some delicious, gooey, tarantula burgers!  While you’re over there at the TheOfficialHungry site, check out Duff and Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio as they try and take on one of the culinary world’s most difficult tasks: the Cinnamon Challenge!

Finally, just in time for Halloween, Count Duffula teams up with the Casserole Queens for some Hard Apple Cider with Orange and Marshmallow!

We all have our favorite food duos: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Burgers & Fries, Bacon & Eggs, Cookies & Milk, and possibly the most classic of all –Cake & Ice Cream! (we’re big fans)

Our awesome East Coast pals over at Big Gay Ice Cream are visiting the West Coast and will be serving up some sweet and tasty treats from their BGIC truck all around the Los Angeles area. They set up shop outside of Cake Mix on Tuesday and they’ll be back on Friday 10/26 from 6:30-11pm. Just head over to the corner of Melrose and Sweetzer Ave in West Hollywood and look out for their colorful truck and a crowd of people having a blast. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this!

Duff with Doug, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio & crew before the first swirl was served

Check out what Lynn had to say on her blog The Actor’s Diet — she posted some great shots of her Cococone and the truck’s art wrap job featuring a sassy unicorn.

Read more here http://blog.zagat.com/2012/10/photo-of-day-big-gay-ice-cream-truck.html

If you can’t make it out to one of the truck’s stops around LA, be sure to check out the BGIC shop in NY ( on 1st Avenue & Avenue A) or check their Twitter for updates.

Desserts don’t always need a ton of time to prepare, in fact, Duff shows you how to satisfy your sweet tooth in minutes over at Dr. Oz here and here!

We recently held our grand opening party the other night and the LA Weekly was there to capture the festivities including the unveiling of Duff’s new Truffle Collection from Godiva!  (Speaking of Godiva, don’t forget to check out their Cake Bash Sweepstakes where you can win a chance at your own private cake party with Duff).

Pictures from the event can be found over Maya Meyers Photography, and we’d like to give a special shout out to all our vendors including:

Mind Weiss Party Consultants

Flour LA, Inc.

Luna Malvada Tequila & Wally’s Wine and Spirits

More on Duff’s new Truffle Collection from Godiva can be found over at the NY Daily News here!

Writer Kerry Politzer recently caught up with Duff and filed this report on page 48 of Oregon Jewish Life. Duff will be in Oregon next week at the Portland Feast event!

KTLA recently dropped by Duff’s Cakemix and posted this fun video on their site!

Speaking of Cakemix, check out their inspired whisk lights at Rachel Ray Magazine!

We were thrilled and honored to learn the editors of Brides Magazine selected six cakes from the Charm City Cakes Summer 2012 Collection as part of a several page spread in their current issue.  You can see some of the design for yourself on their site here!  More on the Summer collection can be found here and on Pinterest here!

In other news, Los Angeles Magazine recently stopped by Cake Mix and had this to say about their visit.  And speaking of Duff’s Cakemix, our brand spankin’ new website is now live!  Click here to check it out for yourself!