Culinarian 08.11.08

BIRTHPLACE: San Diego, California

CURRENT POSITION: Owner, Cakes Unleashed!!

ABOUT: I live in the beautiful Sierra- Nevada mountains where I savor the solitude.  A place where there is no havoc, no freeway traffic, no crowds or city noise.  It offers a peaceful, comfortable, rewarding and melodic environment.  I am at home in the mountains where the seasons are breathtaking to experience and the natural sights and smells revive all senses.

Living in this place gives me the desire to be creative and express myself in many forums.  One of those forums is creating fun cakes.  I started cake decorating as a hobby and just recently kicked it up a notch by actually selling custom designed theme cakes for special occasions and events! 

Creating cakes is my passion!  I enjoy a challenge and have found cake decorating to be both challenging and rewarding.   I believe there is no limit as to what I can make out of sugar!!

Deb Housen captured First Prize with her wildly creative Country Baby Bath Cake. The cake was fashioned with fondant and other unique edible materials such as rice Krispie treats for the pump, and pulled sugar for the water. WOW!!!

DEBORAH: "This is the Bride and Groom's dog, Pico, popping out of the cake! Hey, they wanted incorporated in the cake"

DEBORAH:   I loved the cake before I was handed a bunch of FULLY BLOOMED roses to insert. The cake was awesome without roses!

Q&A

MYCUIZINE: Describe how you got into baking. 

DEBORAH: By chance: I was throwing a baby shower for a friend and needed a castle cake.  I couldn't get ANYONE to create it for me so I gave it a whirl.  Lo' and behold!!  I loved it! It became a new art medium that I could express myself in. Having no training, I just started creating custom cakes for friends and family.  But, soon, I was getting orders, so I got licenses, etc., and here I am!!

MYCUIZINE: What is your favorite comfort food?

DEBORAH: Pasta!

MYCUIZINE: Describe how you got into cooking. 

DEBORAH: What is your best experience you had in baking?  I love having people walk up to me and ask, "Hey, are you the cake lady?", when I have never seen them before.  Kewl!

MYCUIZINE: What was your worst baking experience?  

DEBORAH: When I had to slam on my brakes in my vehicle when delivering a cake.  No!  It didn't make it!  Bad memory....moving on!  LOL!!

MYCUIZINE: What is your greatest baking strength?  

DEBORAH: Detail! I am a detail freak!

MYCUIZINE: What motivates you to do your best on the job?  

DEBORAH:  Always striving to outdo myself!

MYCUIZINE: Describe your management style.

DEBORAH:  We do things my way!  LOL!!

The Only Limitation is Your Imagination!

MYCUIZINE: Tell me about your proudest culinary achievement.

DEBORAH: When Duff Goldman, Ace of Cakes, asked me how I created a certain look on one of my cakes!

MYCUIZINE: What is your favorite cookbook you refer to for inspiration?

DEBORAH: My Grandma.  Walking cookbook.

MYCUIZINE: What is your greatest cooking fear?  

DEBORAH: ?  I already experienced it...the car...remember?  Don't make me go there again!   LOL

MYCUIZINE: How would you describe good and exceptional.  

DEBORAH: I am my worst critic.  So, when I say, "Ah, that is good!", it really is good.

MYCUIZINE: What is your favorite cooking show?  

DEBORAH: Ace of Cakes, of course!

MYCUIZINE:  Name 5 of your favorite kitchen tools or gadgets.  

DEBORAH: I use a lot of clay tools.  Go figure!

MYCUIZINE: Who are your cooking heroes?  

DEBORAH: Duff Goldman, Colette Peters

Cakes Unleashed!!

Home of the Incredible Edibles! *