As a countdown to the upcoming New Times Cupcake Battle at the 2011 Las Olas Wine & Food Festival on April 29, Clean Plate Charlie interviewed owners of the participating bakeries.
We emailed Bev Bernardine, chef and owner of Chaos Bakery, which began after receiving inspiration from learning of the food-truck concept. After the success of her gourmet bakery on wheels, she recently opened her first store and is ready for her first cupcake battle.
Clean Plate Charlie: How did the bakery get started?
Chaos Bakery: Our bakery got started about a year ago, when I started making cakes for family and friends. They were a hit, so after seeing a piece about food trucks on The Today Show, my husband and I decided that would be a great way to sell more of my cupcakes to the public. Next we secured a commissary, got our income tax money, bought a bus, customized it, had it wrapped, and hit the road. The rest is history. Our little business grew quickly, and the need for own place came quickly. We opened our fist location three weeks ago, and thankfully, things have been great.
What is your signature cupcake or customer favorite cupcake?
We have a few customer favorites, such as the Jamaican Bobsled -- a chocolate cupcake filled with banana mousse, topped with coconut buttercream, toasted coconut, and a drizzle of chocolate ganache. Then, of course, there's our red velvet, which I've been told by numerous people is better than Georgetown Cupcakes', which is quite a compliment.
Will the signature cupcake be used for the cupcake battle?
The one I chose to enter is our Candied Bacon Kama Sutra. We call it the Kama Sutra because it's almost better than sex! It's a vanilla cupcake filled with a brown butter icing, topped with a maple vanilla bean glaze, a dollop of buttercream, and thick-sliced candied bacon. It's the most unique of the bunch and loved by all.
What's your game plan for the cupcake battle?
My only strategy for this competition (which is my first) is to bake the best cupcake I know how and hope the judges enjoy it as much as my loyal customers do.
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