cakes

Carolin Salter missed Samson the Elephant's first birthday celebration last March, but she wasn't about to skip the party this year. So the Ellicott City resident rounded up her two nieces and a nephew and her parents on Saturday and found a prime spot to take in the festivities at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore . "We heard about it on the radio," Salter explained.  

Judging by the line outside Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop in northern New Jersey – from the front door to the corner, then east toward the Hudson River – you'd think the Boss was inside. Given all the flashing cameras, the outstretched hands gripping autograph books and the squeals of excitement, you'd be right. But don't be mistaken: Valastro, the Italian-American baker, cake decorator and cable-TV star who plays with fondant and modeling chocolate, not a guitar and a backup band.  

My best birthday was when I was 8. We went to Miller Park. I had all my friends come. We had a rose cake.  

Chelsea welcomed her guests wearing an adorable aqua-colored multi layered cotton silk dress with a bow accent. Her outfit was especially designed and made by one of Manila's most sought-after young designers, Atelier Debbie Co. At Chelsea's Little Tea Shoppe, the kiddie guests were each provided a white apron with ruffles, chef's hat and a cupcake/cookie set. Baby Cakes' Kaye McDulley-Gempesaw and Maite I¤igo-Gempesaw taught the eager junior pastry chefs how to decorate their cupcakes and cookies wit  

Angela Logan did more than save her Teaneck home from foreclosure when she began a frenzy of apple peeling and baking last summer. The actress and mother of three laid the foundation for a new career. Eight months after selling enough "Mortgage Apple Cakes" to meet her house payment — and becoming a media celebrity in the process — the 56-year-old Logan is still pursuing acting.

An actress building a side business baking cakes and working to find ways to help others going through strenuous situations like I was in.   -Angela Logan

 

You never know who's watching The Discovery Channel. St. Martinville's Martha Hebert and Becky Guidry, from Sweet Southern Ladies Designer Cakes LLC, became an instant hit last year when they won the Ultimate Cake Off challenge on Discovery. "People stare at us now when we're out in public, whether we're picking up pizza or out shopping," Hebert said with a touch of wonder.  

Hugh Grant's ex-girlfriend Jemima Khan is seemingly 'unimpressed' with the actor's recent food fight with PR executive Matthew Freud. The actor had become involved in a fracas with Freud because he was upset that stories had appeared linking Jemima to Guy Ritchie, whom she met at a party at Freud"s house in Notting Hill. However, it has emerged that Sir James Goldsmith"s daughter is not very happy on hearing the news.  

Once you've seen one of those extreme cake shows where the bakers make seven-tiered wedding cakes dotted with science fiction characters and shaped like Yankee Stadium, you've just got to try your hand at a little decorating yourself. These tools can help you get your gum paste in place. » 33-piece cake decorating kit lets you make stars, flowers, ruffles and more. $17.02 at www.ablekitchen.com . » You've seen celebrity bakers handle the fondant. Now get a feel for the smooth cake covering yourself wi  

The best way to say "I love you", with a chocolate crème fraîche frosting. Line the bases of two 20cm round sponge tins with nonstick paper and heat the oven to 180C (160C fan-assisted)/ 350F/gas mark 4. Beat 175g butter, 75g caster sugar and two egg yolks until light and fluffy (save the other yolks for another use), then beat in half the flour, baking powder, vanilla scrapings and milk until smooth.