Patti Kirkey in the kitchen.
Name: Patti Kirkey
Age: 34
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Occupation: Baker
Around August of 2010. I had an online bakery where I lived in Florida for a year or so but didn't really take it seriously until moving to Texas three years ago.
What made you start a cupcake business?
I LOVE CUPCAKES! I'm not ashamed to admit it. I have a severe sweet tooth but every time I would get a piece of cake or a cupcake to satisfy it, I found it to be too sweet and always seemed to get sick to my stomach...and still with that certain sweet craving. I wanted to create sweets that I loved that others like me would appreciate.
Where do you sell your cupcakes and how do you transport them?
I am a bake-to-order bakery so I take orders via phone and schedule pick-up from the kitchen, which I rent, or I offer delivery. I also sell, during the warmer months, at local farmers and food markets. I transport them in a transport cooler with an ice blanket...usually used to put large restaurant supply crates in to keep them cool.
How did you get involved in auditioning for "Cupcake Wars?"
I felt like I had a good idea and concept and that I would be a great contestant so I, half-jokingly, submitted an application. To my surprise, the very next day I got a call from the Food Network asking me to fill out some paperwork and very quickly put together an audition tape...they start filming next month!
How did you decide on which flavors to make for the audition?
My sister/assistant (Amy Cameron) and I actually had a wedding cake tasting that day so we just used the extra cupcakes for the taping. We did make sure to select the icings that would photograph best and wouldn't be ruined by the weather...it was actually pretty warm the day we filmed with the cupcakes.
Assistant/sister Amy Cameron.
What are your plans if you get chosen?
Wow, good question! I don't know if I have any plans other than make sure I schedule vacation time (I also have a full-time job where I work from home), make sure my sister gets her vacation scheduled, pack up all my supplies and go out to California to kick some serious butt...ercream. I have gone through crazy cupcake flavors, however, so I think I am pretty prepared for whatever weird ingredients get thrown my way.
The "Blond Bombshell." Vanilla buttermilk cake and vanilla bean buttercream frosting.
How did you select/test your cupcake recipes?
I started with tried and true recipes and made notes about what I liked and didn't like about each. I took the best pieces from each and baked, baked, baked until I got them the way I wanted them.
The "Brunette Babe," vanilla cake with milk chocolate buttercream.
I've heard you offer gluten-free cupcakes, are they big sellers?
Gluten-free is becoming popular though I still sell many more of the standard recipes.
How do you adapt your recipes for gluten-free eaters?
Rather than try and do an exact copy of one of my standard recipes using gluten-free flour, I use the taste/texture of the gluten-free flour as the catalyst to come up with new flavors. For instance, I offer the "Thin Lizzy," which is an almond flour/hazelnut flour cake filled with homemade raspberry puree and topped with an almond/vanilla cream cheese frosting. This is a flavor that even those without a wheat intolerance can love.
Almond flour cupcakes, fresh out of the oven! These cupcakes are called "Marriage Material."
How often do you eat cupcakes?
I eat an entire cupcake (or cupcakes) about once a month, but I taste them every time I bake...quality control ya know?
What's the best thing about eating cupcakes?
They are just the right size to satisfy sweet cravings but not too large that you walk away feeling guilty, plus there's just something about that first bite when the frosting tickles the tip of your nose.
What's your favorite type of cupcake?
CHOCOLATE! Anything chocolate. The darker and richer the better. There's no such thing as too much chocolate as far as I'm concerned.
How do cupcakes compare/contrast to other baked goods for you?
Aside from French macaroons, cupcakes are definitely the most fun. Cakes are great when you get to the decorating part, and cookies, well, there's only so much you can do with a cookie. But cupcakes allow you to do things you otherwise couldn't do with cake or other baked goods, which makes for great flavor combinations.
Is there any innovation you'd like to see made to the cupcake that would improve it for you?
Yes. I would like to see edible cupcake wrappers. I've tried a few things myself, and while they held up through baking, when you eat them, the texture is off.
Do you bake your own cupcakes? Or (even better) have someone who bakes them for you?
I bake all my own cupcakes. I wish someone would bake me some cupcakes some time!
What's your first cupcake-related memory?
It's funny, but I don't remember cupcakes much when I was a kid. We always had cakes. So, my first memory of them would just have to be seeing them in the grocery store bakeries or at parties. And I always remember hating them cause they were like cleaning sponges topped with shortening, blech!
What's the most fun you've ever had with a cupcake?
Well, I could tell you but then you'd have to start putting age restrictions on your blog! ;)
Do you have anything else to add?
Just that I'm super-excited that my business has taken off so much in such a short period of time. Long Live the Cupcake!
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Thanks to Michael in Texas, our roving photographer and taster in the DFW-area!
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