Just a few years out of culinary school, Duff quit his day job and launched a custom cake business out of his one bedroom apartment in Baltimore, Maryland. Duff and his team at Charm City Cakes pushed the limits of cake decorating, sculpting a dazzling array of awe-inspiring works from life-sized elephants to racecar replicas.
The wild creations and off-beat company culture soon became the subject of the hit Food Network show, Ace of Cakes, inspiring an entire generation to roll up their sleeves and decorate. Pursuing his passion for inspiring creativity in others, Duff founded the first ever do-it-yourself cake and cupcake decorating studio in Los Angeles.
The wild creations and off-beat company culture soon became the subject of the hit Food Network show, Ace of Cakes, inspiring an entire generation to roll up their sleeves and decorate. Pursuing his passion for inspiring creativity in others, Duff founded the first ever do-it-yourself cake and cupcake decorating studio in Los Angeles.
Reviews (20)
Jessica H.
Jan 24, 2022
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Really fun. A lot harder than it looks and you're not given much help so you pretty much just have to have fun with it and figure it out. The cupcakes were surprisingly good. We were expecting them just to be a canvas and didn't have high expectations that they'd actually taste good, so we were pleasantly surprised.
Necel A.
Jan 19, 2022
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Decorated 4 cupcakes from fondant rolling and shaping, spreading icing, and sprinkling sprinkles! A good deal for an hour or more of fun. Just let them create and join in the fun. It's relaxing recreation and no right or wrong, plus the cupcakes are moist and delicious, not too sweet. These are the best type of places for kids to imagine, concentrate, create and cleanup is by someone else. Luckily my kid listens when I said try not be messy and still be considerate . The young lady was helpful and friendly and made it fun for us!
Darkblade X.
Jan 13, 2022
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Sally D.
Jan 02, 2022
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Alexandria G.
Dec 31, 2021
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Allie B.
Dec 27, 2021
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What an incredible place! I was so happy to find this place on Yelp when searching for things to do at the Irvine Spectrum. My daughters (age 8 and 10) looove baking shows and this was a chance for them to feel like they were a part of one!
We had them share a $49 cake and chose to add an air brush feature for $5 extra. After tip, it was about a $67 experience for an hour of fun
* They are enforcing masks and won't seat you early if you show up a few minutes before your reservation time. They're definitely limiting how many people are in the building at a time.
I would highly recommend
We had them share a $49 cake and chose to add an air brush feature for $5 extra. After tip, it was about a $67 experience for an hour of fun
* They are enforcing masks and won't seat you early if you show up a few minutes before your reservation time. They're definitely limiting how many people are in the building at a time.
I would highly recommend
Rojein M.
Dec 23, 2021
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Deanna M.
Dec 23, 2021
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Natasha R.
Dec 23, 2021
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I have been eyeing this shop since the time it opened . But then Covid happened and it shut down . Went there yesterday with my daughter for her 6th birthday. And she had a blast. She enjoyed every bit it . Michelle guided us really well and was very kind and patient. They gave us different kinds of cutters, moulds etc. my daughter made the cake of her dreams, pink , unicorn, sprinkles and a ton of flowers. She took her sweet time on the cake and we stayed there for more than an hour. It's extremely organized and managed well. The cake inside was chocolate and to our surprise it tasted fantastic
Inger L.
Dec 12, 2021
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Alli Y.
Nov 10, 2021
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You have to make a reservation right now since they don't overcrowd the place. It's nice since it's not crowded and you can take your time. The time limit is an hour but we went during the week and was able to stay longer. It's definitely not cheap but I took my niece for her 12th birthday and we made the small cake for $49. It includes 5 fondant or frosting and 2 toppings of your choice.
There are supplies for you on the table and you can always ask for other items to see if they have it. It's harder then it looks I do have to say. Great time making memories
There are supplies for you on the table and you can always ask for other items to see if they have it. It's harder then it looks I do have to say. Great time making memories
Nicole T.
Nov 04, 2021
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If I could give this place more than 5 stars, I would! Duff's cake is SO much fun for all ages. I always walk by this store in Irvine Spectrum and awe over the beautiful cakes and finally made a reservation to try it! If you enjoy cake decorating or "color me mine" activities, you will love this place
Every time I walk by, the store is never completely full, but it is reservation based and you can make an appointment on Yelp. On a sunday at 10:45 AM, there was only 2 parties in the whole store
One $49 cake is enough for 4 people to decorate! You can use the cake displays as your
Every time I walk by, the store is never completely full, but it is reservation based and you can make an appointment on Yelp. On a sunday at 10:45 AM, there was only 2 parties in the whole store
One $49 cake is enough for 4 people to decorate! You can use the cake displays as your
Stacy M.
Oct 29, 2021
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This was a surprise gift for my daughters 13th birthday. She loves baking and I loved the idea of letting her design her own cake. It's a really cool experience. I would definitely bring my boys back next time to let them have the same experience.
Note to future decorators, it is a timed thing and I must not have read that on the website. So make sure to ask what time you have until.
Note to future decorators, it is a timed thing and I must not have read that on the website. So make sure to ask what time you have until.
Kay A.
Oct 24, 2021
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This place is cute but has its limitations. We came here for my daughter's birthday and picked the 6 cupcakes and 6" cake. They offer vanilla, chocolate and funfetti cake/cupcake flavors. I didn't like the chocolate. When you choose a cake, you pick the color and they cover the fondant for you. I was hoping they would walk you through the process more. I felt a little lost on what to do. You get to pick out a set amount of fondant colors and candies (not unlimited.) The vanilla cupcakes and funfetti cake tasted good. The fondant actually tasted decent (not gross like most of the
Cathy P.
Oct 03, 2021
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What a cute and creative experience! My sister and I wanted to do something fun after shopping, so we decided to visit Duff's Cakemix for some DIY cake decorating. We booked in advance, so make sure to do that through Yelp before visiting!
From start to finish, our experience was super enjoyable. We got to see the examples for inspiration and we decided to go with a succulent cake design. Once we decided, the staff helped us get the butter cream and fondant in the correct colors, so we could start decorating.
They led us to our spot with the necessary tools, though we did wish that they
From start to finish, our experience was super enjoyable. We got to see the examples for inspiration and we decided to go with a succulent cake design. Once we decided, the staff helped us get the butter cream and fondant in the correct colors, so we could start decorating.
They led us to our spot with the necessary tools, though we did wish that they
Nas S.
Sep 02, 2021
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My daughter was like a kid in a cake store here! She got to make the mermaids and unicorn cupcakes of her dreams. She had so much fun being creative and the people were so good about helping her figure out how to bring her vision to life. It was not crowded at all and the cupcakes were delicious. We would come back for sure and maybe next time decorate a cake.
Jonna G.
Aug 11, 2021
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This was my bff and I's first time at Duff's. Keep in mind, you have to make reservation! Upon arrival, we were greeted and got our temperature taken. We then got the chance to look around their display of cakes to figure out if we wanted to make something from the display or our own design. My bff decided to go with a giraffe cake and I chose the two cupcakes (both funfetti).
Then, an employee helped us get our buttercream, fondant and candies. I love how we got to choose our own color for the buttercream and fondant. You can always ask for more if you ever run out or if you want to
Then, an employee helped us get our buttercream, fondant and candies. I love how we got to choose our own color for the buttercream and fondant. You can always ask for more if you ever run out or if you want to
Jessica L.
Feb 27, 2021
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What a fabulous concept. Our family booked a reservation and it was a great "self-guided"experience. I say that with a dash of sarcasm.
1. It's a wonderful concept.
2. Our family had a great time.
3. Because of Covid the cake-building tools are put away; therefore, one has to ask for specific cutters and tools. This being said, the staff was not friendly. When we asked, the staff was bothered to help.
Keep in mind, when you check-in they express that they are there to help.
4. All-in-all we had a great time and you will save money in not tipping the staff.
Have fun.
1. It's a wonderful concept.
2. Our family had a great time.
3. Because of Covid the cake-building tools are put away; therefore, one has to ask for specific cutters and tools. This being said, the staff was not friendly. When we asked, the staff was bothered to help.
Keep in mind, when you check-in they express that they are there to help.
4. All-in-all we had a great time and you will save money in not tipping the staff.
Have fun.
Robyn Martin
Sep 26, 2019
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I took my son to a birthday party here. If the party is relatively small this place would be perfect. The shop isn't huge and if there are too many people (as on the party I attended) it's loud and chaotic and VERY crowded. Especially if everyone is six. That aside, the small six inch cakes are super fun to decorate and the staff is helpful and knowledgeable. There are all sorts of tools and candies to use in your creation and you can learn a lot about cake decorating.
Cm J.
Jun 26, 2018
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