- The Crew!
It takes an army to make a cake “Reality” show and staying grounded in your beliefs is what matters. As most of you know, I am going to be in five episodes of a new show on Food Network called “Have Cake, will travel” I cannot give any specifics about the episodes themselves, but I did want to give some insight on what I endured during the filming of this series.
I could never have done it without this amazing crew of people. It changed just slightly city to city, but they are like a traveling family to me. Now, before I get flamed, I will set the record straight…..I always thanked everyone in every city for anything and everything they did for me. This is my nature and I would not expect any less. I am so lucky for this incredible adventure! We traveled the East coast filming for weeks. I lived out of five suitcases that I dragged everywhere. We had many sleepless nights and stressful days. There were times that we were up for days straight with a shower in between. We all got so used to one another that we knew each others eating habits. Logan did not eat Cilantro and Erin did not like mayonnaise! It was like we were filming an episode of Big Brother on the road. We all ate from the same menu and rode in the same vehicles. I missed driving so much! To put things into perspective, I got back to my hotel at two in the morning one night. I turned on the television and Japan was all over the screen. I sat and watched an hour of coverage and had a reality check. You are in a “Reality Show Bubble” you could say. I felt spoiled because these amazing people made it their goal to make me content and happy for the day. I remember being on set and I had a terrible head ache. I mumbled under my breath and sure enough it was picked up on the microphone. Sweet Logan shows up with a pack of Advil and water for me. As he was opening the water, I attempted to open the Advil with my Crisco covered hands…did not go so well. How incredibly awesome is this! Marianne always made sure we had bed bug free hotels and Pete was my “Voice of reason.” Talia laid out my wardrobe and Adrian hauled my stuff all over the country. Doug and Nick followed me like vultures and captured my quirky commentary on camera. Lyndsey was my living hair bump it! Picture This, my production company aka “The Mother Ship.” I could never thank them enough for allowing me on this journey. They took care of me and always made sure I was alright.
Dennis and Lyndsey
- Erin!
We had a cast of four that included Erin and Dennis as the assistants. Erin is one of the most interesting women I know! She is a Chef and Queen of Event planning. She shops like no one and was always there when I was tired or in tears to lift me up. Dennis is hysterical and always had a zinger for any situation. We were like the three Musketeers without the swords! I miss both of them so much! Photo to follow after episode one airs!
This dashing handsome stud is Wayne! He is the owner of Swank Cake Design in North Carolina. He is hands down one of the most talented people I know. He has amazing and beautiful work. Without him working behind the scenes, we would have been in big trouble. He also was my therapist and always managed to talk me out of leaping off the tallest building. We could easily have called it “Have Wayne, Have a cake, can travel.”
I guarantee that I will get hate mail telling me what a bitch I am. Well, I sure was in some episodes. I walked off camera, I ripped microphones off and I threw things at the camera. I was pushed beyond points of breaking and treated like a child most days. I believe in human kindness and believe that this goes a long way. I love the word “Thank You” and say it ad Nauseum. I made everlasting bonds with the crew and to this day still talk to them. They made me feel like I had this little family. The crew made me a better person and for them I am thankful. On my last day of filming, I was so overwhelmed that I cried. I cried a lot for many days. I was in so much shock and in downer mode from filming. I went from having all these amazing people around me to having just myself. It took weeks to adjust to being normal again.
As a “Reality” TV character, we need to find a balance in life. The balance of true life and TV life. I am reminded that I have this amazing network of friends and family. I am fortunate to add new friends from this adventure. Those who know me, love the person that I have grown to be. I am honest and thoughtful. I guess what I am trying to say is that, you should never believe anything you see on TV. I can now add Actress to my long resume of talents. So, begins a new journey that I assure you will leave you scratching your head! At the end of day folks, I will always be a Mommy first and then a Pastry Chef.
