"Ace of Cakes" stars treat Franklin Grove to cake

Franklin Grove residents were treated to a sweet visit last week when Duff Goldman and the gang  made a cake for the village's 175th birthday.

Goldman, owner of Charm City Cakes, Baltimore, Md. and star of the Food Network show Ace of Cakes, cake decorator Elena Fox, and executive sous chef Geof Manthorne unveiled a cake shaped like a sheep June 17 in front of a large crowd.

One young fan of the show Olivia Stafford, age, 9, Oregon, made a sign to hold up during the unveiling, parade,  and tractor race.

Her sign read "Welcome Duff, Geof, Eleana" and also had "Duff is the Stuff" written on it.

Stafford's  goal was to have all three autograph her sign.

"I love watching the cakes being made," said Stafford.

Goldman offered advice to anyone that wants to follow in his footsteps and become a chef.

"If somebody wants to be a chef, the first thing you need to do is get a job in a restaurant," said Goldman.  "See if you like cooking. Do you love food?  If you love food maybe you want to make food.  If you want to make food go try it out

"Go try making food in a restaurant before you go to culinary school.   Go to a restaurant and you will see if this is for me or not for me.  If you don't love it you are going to hate it.  It is a hard job, long hours."

The parade and unveiling of the cake was delayed due to an issue with the cake that needed to be fixed.

"That sheep that we made for Franklin Grove today," said Goldman.  "Two hours ago all the skin fell off.  We had to put it all back on, redo all that hair.  As you are dealing with problems like that, you have to enjoy it."

Once the cake was completed, the rest of the day went on without any issues.

During the unveiling Mayor Bob Logan thanked the show's staff, cake decorators, and Goldman.  He also presented Goldman with a key to the city.