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Ace of Cakes really isn't that great...

post #1 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:17pm
Thread Starter 
Alright, they're on television. They have a show. Tons of decorators and non-decorators alike tune in every week. They've upped the damand for 'cake art' as opposed to plain ol' bakery cakes.

But I'm sick of people using Duff as the measuring stick for 'good' cakes! Yes, they do a bunch of awesome cakes, but so do TONS of other bakeries and cake shops, and they have been for YEARS!

Take a look at this lady, for example: www.debbiedoescakes.net

Then, go take a look at www.charmcitycakes.com.

Pay special attention to the dog cakes and camera cakes on both websites.

Debbie blows him out of the water! Why doesn't SHE get a tv show? I'd much rather watch that!

I don't know...I'm just tired of making 3D cakes and if people like them, they say 'Wow, just like Ace of Cakes!'

That show was awesome to get caking in the spotlight and I know I enjoy watching it myself for the inspiration and whatnot but...*sigh*...he's not the only guy out there. And he's definitely not the best.

Can I get an 'AMEN'??
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post #2 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:24pm
Nope, sorry not from me. I enjoy his show and yes there are other talented people out there, but each is talented in their own right....I would love to be compared to Duff someday, he's cool, his staff is great, I love watching what they can do. Yes those other artists are great too, and we need more cake shows...
We just need Cake TV. Cake all day, all nighticon_smile.gif And then we could see how different each would beicon_smile.gif
~Brenda~
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~Brenda~
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post #3 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:29pm
"AMEN" ! I LOVE the SHOW, but if it weren't for Duff's staff, he wouldn't have a show !
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post #4 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:29pm
Well, one thing that has been stated on here regarding having a business is that marketing/business is more important than having the talent.

In Duff's case, he's got a great, infectiousl personality that translates very well to a television audience. He knows very well how to market himself. Yet, he has the talent to back it up.

Is he the greatest cake decorator in the world? No and he knows/admits it. Did you ever see the challenge in which he had to compete against Collette Peters - he drooled like a baby!
Cake decorating ROCKS!!
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Cake decorating ROCKS!!
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post #5 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:34pm
Sorry you won't get one from me either. I mean I'll give you one on yes i agree Duff isn't the best cake designer out there--don't know that he's ever claimed to be or that anyone else have ever bestowed that title one him--but I love the show. It's not just about cake--it's hardly about cake if you ask me. They are such a great group. I love the vibe in the shop. The reason they have a show and not other cake designers? PERSONALITY. Sure there are many more talented people out there, but I doubt most of them have the screen presence that Duff & Co., have. And frankly watching some boring person with zero spunk put swiss dots and string work on a cake for 30 minutes a week is not what I would call entertainment.
Tara
<---wonders if anyone uses REAL ingredients anymore--sugar fruit nuts, cream, butter etc--instead of flavoring chemical cream from a bucket with pudding & jello and calling it "mousse"
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Tara
<---wonders if anyone uses REAL ingredients anymore--sugar fruit nuts, cream, butter etc--instead of flavoring chemical cream from a bucket with pudding & jello and calling it "mousse"
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post #6 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:34pm
I will give an AMEN. I wish I could sculpt and mold like they do....however, my bigger thing is that half the "cakes" they do are not cake.

It is however like any other TV show....as I watch Rachel Ray....there are millions who can do the same, some far better, but it takes personality, marketability and want.
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post #7 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccr03

Well, one thing that has been stated on here regarding having a business is that marketing/business is more important than having the talent.

In Duff's case, he's got a great, infectiousl personality that translates very well to a television audience. He knows very well how to market himself. Yet, he has the talent to back it up.

Is he the greatest cake decorator in the world? No and he knows/admits it. Did you ever see the challenge in which he had to compete against Collette Peters - he drooled like a baby!



Or the one where he competed with Bronwen Webber? He was shaking like a leaf!

I like Duff, for his personality. I also know from watching the show that if it weren't for Geoff and the other highly-talented people on his staff, his shop (and show) wouldn't be nearly as popular.
Weight loss goal: 86lbs, Weight loss progress: 69.6lbs, Weight loss left: 16.4lbs
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Weight loss goal: 86lbs, Weight loss progress: 69.6lbs, Weight loss left: 16.4lbs
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post #8 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:35pm
I say more power to him...He did it the right way, went to culinary school, worked in the right places and then opened up shop to do things his way. He made a huge success of himself and he helped to put the spotlight on cake art which has helped all of us. The people who compare cakes to those done by Duff are making a huge compliment in that they think he is the best...whether he is or not doesn't really matter.

I say way to go to Duff icon_smile.gif
Lori

web - www.elegantcakecreations.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elegantcakesaz/
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Lori

web - www.elegantcakecreations.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elegantcakesaz/
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post #9 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:38pm
Ditto to what ccr03 wrote! I enjoy watching Duff and Geoff and the staff; I think they do great work, but I've seen better. Also, I've heard from a few, that their cakes are not that tasty. As much as I watch the show and enjoy it, I think there's room on television for other cake shows and wish 'the powers that be' would supply this demand.
-Grace

"Shades of grey wherever I go;
The more I find out the less that I know."
- Billy Joel
"What color's the icing in your world?" - Me
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-Grace

"Shades of grey wherever I go;
The more I find out the less that I know."
- Billy Joel
"What color's the icing in your world?" - Me
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post #10 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:42pm
I would love for the Ace of Cakes to post on the TV show how much his cakes cost!

I'm so tired of customers wanting a 3-d cake with like freaking fireworks that shoot out of the top and will hop around and sing happy birthday AND help raise their children all for the low low price of $19.99!!

What is his minimum order these days? $500?

I wish people would understand!
Is it hot in here?
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Is it hot in here?
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post #11 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:42pm
I totally agree with ccr03. It is a television program geared to the general public. Duff may or may not be the best decorator but people find him FUN to watch and at least he doesn't do any harm. Dr. Phil is on television every day and he breaks almost every single ethical rule for psychologists! I think he has done some people harm-Duff only makes cake!
Artists are artists-Who can really tell which one is best? It's all a matter of opinion. IMHO I do think that I like some other cake artist's work better too.
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post #12 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:42pm
I do enjoy the Ace of Cakes series, but a lot of the enjoyment stems from the diversity of Duff's staff. I really like Geoff because of his dead pan humor.

But I wanted more and thanks to TiVo I have found it. If you have a TiVo or DVR (I'm not exaclty familiar with DVRs other than TiVo) do yourself a favor and create some keyword wishlists. I created one for each of these words: "bake", "cake", "sugar", "cookie", and "cupcake". Every so often I go to my Wishlist page and tell it to look for upcoming wishlist programs. Then I tell it which ones to record. I've caught some great programs that feature some really talented people. I have enjoyed the Food Network Challenge programs, the Martha Stewart "Art of Wedding Cakes" program, Sugar Rush, and other variety shows that featured some sort of decorative baking in one of their segments. I can't bring myself to delete them. I'm hoping to find a way to transfer them to DVD, which will require a little, a-hem, technical creativity.

I'll agree that Ace of Cakes has brought cake decorating and sugar art into the spotlight. Duff and his staff have great personalities and are very creative. They do a lot of cool things. But IMO they definitely don't set the standard in the cake decorating talent pool.
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View my photos on flickr.
View my blog.
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post #13 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:43pm
hahahah that was a hoot, cakenator!
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post #14 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:44pm
I agree with everyone! I love Duff, but who I really love is Geoff! He isn't as strong as a personality, but I love watching him work. I have learned SO much from him, as he explains things. I love all of his staff...my background is also art (I have a "useless" degree in design) and I really can relate to how his staff has to learn cake stuff so they could express their art! (Geoff actually started out in archtecture and you sure can tell!) I think Duff has helped put cakes on the map..kids LOVE him and I get much more exciting birthday cakes orders because of it!
Gotta have more cowbell!
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Gotta have more cowbell!
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post #15 of 234
6/30/08 at 1:45pm
hey, I love the fact that his cake aren't PERFECT!!! When I do 3-D cakes I've often had people say to me when I say, "yeah well, I could've done that neater or this should've looked better" they say "I watch Ace of Cakes all the time and even HIS cakes aren't perfect!!"
God's Word will either keep you from sin;
or sin will keep you from God's Word.
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God's Word will either keep you from sin;
or sin will keep you from God's Word.
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