Eight bakers are vying for the title of Chattanooga’s first Cake Ace. The fact that one of the contest judges is Food Network star Duff Goldman is the icing on the cake.
formal affair cake competitorsCouture Cakes* Entrant: Kimberly Beattie* Entry: “It’s our interpretation of the ultimate Chattanooga-themed groom’s cake.”Cafe LeMont/Lady J. Cakes* Entrant: Renita Johnson* Entry: Sculpted sports-motif cakeCake Boutique* Entrant: Patti Taylor* Entry: Chattanooga Choo-ChooChattanooga Cupcakes* Entrant: Sonya Reagor* Entry: Travel-themed cakeCup a Dee Cakes* Entrant: Jenniffer White* Entry: “We’re making a cake influenced by the fictional groom’s favorite things in Chattanooga — where he met his future bride, where they went on their first date — but not the typical landmarks.”Heirloom Catering* Entrant: Luther Cutchins* Entry: A train made of Heirloom’s specialty cake flavor, which has extra significance to Chattanooga.Piece a Cake Bakery* Entrant: Mark Houghton* Entry: “Zoomin’ Groom”Sweet Angel Cakes* Entrant: Toni Repko* Entry: “Chattanooga — Sports (Around Our City)”
“He’s a cool guy, a big part of the reason I entered the contest,” said Mark Houghton of Piece a Cake Bakery. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet him.”
“It’s been Mark’s dream to meet Duff,” added his wife, Sharon, co-owner of Piece a Cake.
Goldman will be the celebrity judge in a groom’s cake challenge at the third annual Formal Affair, sponsored by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.