Ep 8. Gone to the Dogs

Ace of Cakes is an American reality television program that follows the day-to-day operations of Charm City Cakes, a custom cake shop located in Baltimore, Maryland. In season 5 episode 8, titled "Gone to the Dogs," the team at Charm City Cakes is tasked with creating a one-of-a-kind cake for the Maryland SPCA's annual Wagfest, a fundraising event for animal welfare.

The episode opens with owner and head cake decorator Duff Goldman meeting with the director of the Maryland SPCA to discuss the project. The team is given the challenge of creating a cake that showcases the theme of "pampering your pet." The cake should not only be visually stunning, but also incorporate a variety of pet-related items, such as toys, bones, and grooming tools.

As the episode progresses, the team works tirelessly to bring the vision to life. The decorators spend hours crafting intricate details, such as a realistic fur texture and edible paw prints. The bakers experiment with different flavors and design a dog bone-shaped cake that layers peanut butter and carob sponge cake with peanut butter mousse and dark chocolate ganache.

Throughout the show, viewers get a glimpse into the creative process of building a custom cake. The team faces various challenges, such as a malfunctioning cake oven and limited time, but they never lose sight of their goal. As the deadline for delivery approaches, tension rises. Will the cake make it to Wagfest on time and in one piece?

Away from the kitchen, Duff and his team members also share personal stories about their pets and how they inspire them to take on this project with all their hearts. Watching the decorators and cake designers work together to create such a complex dessert with such attention to detail is mesmerizing.

In the final act, the cake is presented to the Maryland SPCA at Wagfest, and the Charm City Cakes team waits nervously for their reaction. The cake is greeted with a standing ovation, and the Maryland SPCA Director calls it a "work of art." Duff and his team are elated by the positive feedback and happy to have successfully completed the challenging project.

Overall, "Gone to the Dogs" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the talent and dedication of the Charm City Cakes team. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in baking, cake decorating, or animal welfare.