On Sunday, Beverly Hills’ famous Rodeo Drive was the location of this year’s THE TASTE’s Desserts After Dark; hosted by the Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine, and celebrity Chef Duff Goldman. In addition to the customary haute couture on Rodeo Drive, there was a wide range of sweets and dessert purveyors from the great city of Los Angeles.

The Ace of Cakes Himself & the City of Angels

This year Duff Goldman from The Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes” hosted this decadent event as well as provided a life size centerpiece. As Duff tells us, “yes, it is cake.” The centerpiece depicted an angel statue bestowing a sparkling, glitter encrusted cupcake created by Duff’s team at Charm City Cakes; an honor to the city of angels with their very own Charm City touch. Duff and Charm City Cakes recently opened a new location expanding their custom cake empire to the west coast at Charm City West. When asked about the new location, Duff tells us “L.A. is definitely different” as the clientele here demand for the extremes in cake from the very traditional to the over the top outrageous. Nevertheless, the challenge of the Angelenos requests has been met, as Duff tells us, “we love to be challenged and you never want to be bored.”

More Food Network Stars

For the Food Network enthusiast, the giddy fan inside all of us is exposed since many of the attendees and vendors were many Food Network Stars. Pastry Chef Richard Ruskell, winner and competitor of numerous Food Network Challenges, represented himself and the Montage Hotel of Beverly Hills. Chef Ruskell presented a warm chocolate mousse over praline powder and tells us the “chocolate used is a very rare type and was once thought to be extinct,” however it is now found in Peru and is exclusive in all of Southern California to Chef Ruskell.

Other Food Network Stars found at The Taste – Desserts After Dark were “Iron Chef America” and “Chopped” judge Alex Guarnaschelli, Anna Ellison and a number of the team from Charm City Cakes, and Candace Nelson of Sprinkles Cupcakes; a regular judge on “Cupcake Wars.”

From High End Goodies to Down Home Comfort

Participating vendors and acclaimed pastry chefs at The Taste – Desserts After Dark cover the wide spectrum of pastries and baked goods available. From fresh peaches over verbena panna cotta plated by Craft, to the Macallan 18 year infused chocolate truffles by Compartes Chocolatier, to the maple bacon peach cobbler at the Simplethings Sandwich & Pie Shop booth, whatever your fancies may be, they were sure to be tickled. Other participating vendors included ice cream sandwiches from Coolhaus, non-fried doughnuts from Fonuts, and the heart shaped Obama brownie at Sweets for the Soul.

As your veins pump with dangerous levels of sugar and your mouth begins to dry, have no fear as Desserts After Dark also included free flowing beverages of an eclectic selection. From Cuties Clementine juice to Adult Chocolate Milk to the sparkling bubbles of Mionetto, your thirst would have been quenched. Additional participating beverage vendors included Ciroc Vodka, Yellowtail, and the American Tea Room to name a few.


Additional Information
Rustic Canyon Winebar, Blue Palms Brewhouse and The Counter Take Top Honors at THE TASTE’s Burger & Beer Event
http://events.latimes.com/taste/burgers

– Tiffany Wang