Warren Bakers To Appear On Food Network’s 'Winner Cake All'

WARREN, NJ — Two stay-at-home moms and bakers from Warren are hoping to have their cake and eat it too as they compete in Food Network’s newest TV show "Winner Cake All."

Gail Kingman of Warren and Lauren Vicari of Florham Park, co-owners and partners of Sweet Passion Cakery based in Warren, will appear on the show, hosted by Giada De Laurentiis, airing on Monday, May 13 at 11 p.m.

"This is the first time we have ever competed," Kingman said. "It is very, very exciting and cool."

The pair of friends were contacted back in August after a representative from Food Network saw their work and asked if they were interested in trying out for the show.

They interviewed with producers and were selected. They were flown out to Los Angeles, California to film their episode in October.

On the episode there are four teams of two cake-makers that are challenged to make an over-the-top, candy-themed cake decoration for VIP clients, the founders of gourmet candy company Sugarfina, Rosie O'Neill and Josh Resnick. The couple is getting married and want a cake that embodies the look and feel of their sophisticated candy company, according to the description of the episode.

Vicari and Kingman have only five hours to create their cake while baking outside on a vineyard in south LA. Vicari recalls how extremely humid it was during filming and very intense. Usually the pair take about one week to perfect a cake.

"It’s a little insane," Vicari said.

In the end one team is chosen as the winner of the $10,000 prize.

"We watched a lot of competition shows and it is what peaked our interest in cakes eight years ago to start our business," Vicari said. "Getting out there and getting to compete made it all come full circle."

Both Kingman and Vicari had "zero experience" in cake baking before taking on this venture. Vicari had a background in web development and Kingman was a dance major who taught dance for awhile. Both stay-at-home moms, Kingman who has two kids and Vicari who has four kids have been best friends for 14 years.

"I had recipes I wanted to try and give it a whirl," Kingman said. "I always liked to bake but had no formal training. Once we tried, I saw I had a knack for it."

After successfully making cakes for about five years, Kingman decided to build a professional kitchen attached to her Warren home and apply for a food license.

Thus Sweet Passion Cakery was officially born three years ago. With no storefront, the pair works out of Kingman’s kitchen where they create all things cake specifically custom cakes for celebrations, weddings, birthdays, baby showers and much more.

Kingman and Vicari mainly work off of word of mouth, which seems to be catching on rather well.

For more information on Sweet Passion Cakery visit sweetpassioncakery.com or facebook.com/sweetpassioncakery or email info@sweetpassioncakery.com.

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