If you’ve worked in the Chattanooga area as a wedding professional for any length of time, you have no doubt heard of “Dan the Cakeman”. He’s a legend locally when it comes to wedding cakes and other goodies you’ll find at a high-end wedding.

There’s average wedding cakes, there’s great wedding cakes, then there’s Dan’s works of art.
And the “icing on the cake” is that Dan is a super nice guy; if you can’t walk away from meeting Dan with a grin on your face, then something’s wrong with you.

In keeping with my “Meet a Vendor” series here on the blog, the first name to pop into my head when I thought about wedding cakes was Dan!

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HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO CAKE BAKING AND DECORATING?

Our family business was Cakemakers Fantasyland. We sold cake and candy supplies for the novice to the professional. This was my mother’s hobby since I was 10 year. So I have been involved in the “business” for 36 years. It’s hard to admit that since I’m only 39 HAHA!!!

 HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE WEDDING BAKERY BUSINESS?

I have been in my present location 21 years as CAKEMAKERS, ETC – Wedding Cakes & Catering. While we also do food for receptions and events, I am best known as Dan “the Cakeman”

 

WHAT EVENT PROMPTED YOU TO WANT TO START UP YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

Our family closed the supply business in 1992. I ran away from my “calling” for about 5 years. People kept telling me that I was not doing what I was “supposed” to be doing. Aa generous gentleman who thought we should be back in business offered me and my sister Debbie an open door in early 1997 and the rest is history!

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?

I suppose that all so-called “artists” in the wedding business EAT, SLEEP, and DRINK there particular “calling” 24/7/365!!  Honestly it is mainly talking (emailing, texting) to potential clients from 11am until about 6pm. Then I start the actual work on producing specialty birthday cakes, and my real passion; WEDDING CAKES!!!

Sunday is generally recovering from the previous week.

Monday begins the list prep and supplies buying for the week.

Tuesday is a continuum of Monday.

Wednesday begins the baking process for the wedding cakes generally.

Thursday is fill and ice as many cakes as possible.

Friday is finishing day.

Saturday is busiest delivery day of making a brides cake dreams come true. Honestly, I cry a lot while setting up a wedding cake. I am very aware that Cakemakers is a “special” thread in the fabric of a couple’s life. And what an honor and privilege to be trusted and chosen as a brides wedding cake baker!

WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU COULDN’T FUNCTION WITHOUT?

I just can’t pick 1: Mixers – 6 cake batter mixers and 2 very large icing mixers.

And 1 very large professional oven that allows me to bake an average of 3 large wedding cakes all at once. What a time saver!

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR INSPIRATION?

For many years it was from mainstream bridal magazines. I or a bride-to-be would come across a picture and follow a design from that magazine.

Many times it was my “interpretation” or “inspiration” of a picture I came across.

I describe myself sometimes as being an “impressionist” designer. Not exact copy but really emotionally and creatively inspired by many elements, not just pictures of another’s cake designs.

Since the internet came along and speciality wedding programs on cable, most brides will show me their favorite cake at the beginning of the appointment/consultation process. I will challenge her much like an eye doctor asks;”Now, is this better….or is this better?” It’s a neat process offering versions of her initial favorite design to see if she is really sold on it.

FOR FOLKS STARTING OUT IN THE BAKING INDUSTRY (MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE WEDDING CAKE MARKET), WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM; BOTH TECHNICAL AND INSPIRATIONAL?

They should be prepared to spend more money on equipment that the local Health Dept requires. It’s not just an oven and a sink and a table. Rules and regulations attempt to snuff out most “beginner’s” desires. However, if you have a “gift” and a desire to proceed beyond the rules and regulations to do what inspires you, giving one’s best to every client, then go for it! This is not for the weak or faint of heart! Inspiration will take one through many long and hard hours to finish. But the payoff of tears of joy and “thank you” cards and emails and texts from pleased clients helps in the hard times.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BAKING?

Taking bags of ingredients I’ve spent two days shopping for and ultimately crafting them into a client’s vision for a wedding cake. Each bride has put her trust in me to bring to fruition her “special” day cake and display in a style that elevates and even exceeds her expectation!  

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT?

An old fashioned 10 super-thin-layer white layer cake with cooked chocolate fudge icing, very thinly between each layer and iced in the same wonderful goodness!

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR AS A PROFESSIONAL?

In all honesty – I HATE paperwork!!  I am a creative person!

I prefer to “live in the clouds” of creativity and dreams of my next great and beautiful production!

And not in the restrictive hours of paperwork that is dull and boring (to me).

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST REWARD?

The countless numbers of moms, daughters, dads and sons I’ve been privileged to serve over all these many years.

And the great number of the “grand cakes” I’ve done for a bride whose mom’s cake I did as well. That was a hard pill to swallow when I did my first one about 18 years ago. But what a compliment to my business and gifting  that I impacted someone that I would be blessed with that kind of referral!

Thanks so much to Dan “The CakeMan!” for taking the time to talk with me for this blog about his wedding bakery and wedding cake business!
You can reach Dan at (423) 629-2248 or by going to his website at http://cakemakers.com/

Also a thanks to the amazing Melody Hood of Innamorata Photography for providing her amazing photo of the gluten-free wedding cake! You can see more of her work at www.innamorata.com or reach her by calling  423-315-2092.