These nominees are pastry chefs who prepare desserts and pastries and demonstrate a high standard of excellence and culinary artistry. Theses nominees serve as inspirations to

other food professionals. They must have been a pastry chef for five years with

a minimum of two years in Maryland by January 1, 2007.

~ Chef Duff Goldman ~  

Duff Goldman, graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and baker/owner of Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, creates special occasion cakes that blow away boundaries and limitations. Duff’s background includes working at the French Laundry and as executive pasty chef at Colorado’s Vail Cascade Hotel.

While working as a personal chef he began creating “multi-tiered monster cakes” out of his house. Demand for his creations grew so much that he quickly grew out of his house as well as two small bakeries. In 2005 he purchased a former art gallery in Remington and his two-person staff has grown to eleven.

In August of 2006, the Food Network debuted “Ace of Cakes”, a reality show that tracks Chef Duff and the Charm City Cakes staff’s weekly challenges and triumphs in creating over-the-top culinary confections. Duff sums up his philosophy simply: If you can imagine it, we can bake it. There are no rules when it comes to cake! - www.charmcitycakes.com

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