Bear Cake Master to Appear on TLC’s ‘Ultimate Cake Off’

Dana Herbert will appear on TLC's 'Ultimate Cake Off' program scheduled to air Monday, Oct. 12. at 10 p.m. (Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson)

Bear resident Dana Herbert, the café manager for the Delaware River and Bay Authority and owner of the Desserts by Dana specialty baking business, will appear on an episode of The Learning Channel’s new competition series, Ultimate Cake Off.

The episode is scheduled to air at 10 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12.

“It was an honor to be selected to participate in the Ultimate Cake Off competition,” Herbert, who graduated in 1998 from the University of Delaware’s Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management, said. “What a tremendous learning experience combined with an opportunity to showcase my talents. I am looking forward to seeing the show when it airs.”

In the episode, Herbert will face off against two other contestants in a challenge to create an edible masterpiece in hopes of winning $10,000 and to have their cakes featured at a marquee event. In this episode, the bakers are competing to create a cake to be featured at Lego Land California’s 10th birthday celebration.

With only nine hours, the competitors must make cakes that are at least five feet tall and are creative enough to win the taste of the client and the ultimate prize. To add to the pressure, the contestants also face two mini-challenges — a skills test and a taste test — that could give one team the ultimate advantage, the ability to idle another team for 30 minutes.

The series is hosted by chef Michael Schulson, owner of Atlantic City’s Izakaya. Joining Schulson are judges Margaret Braun, an acclaimed sugar artist based in New York, and Leigh Grode, owner of Los Angeles’ Cake Divas bakery.