Duff Goldman facts for kids
 |
|
| Born | Jeffrey Adam Goldman December 17, 1974 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Education | University of Maryland, Baltimore County (B.A.) The Culinary Institute of America |
| Spouse | Johnna Colbry |
|
Current restaurant(s)
Charm City Cakes (Baltimore, Maryland)
|
|
|
Television show(s)
|
|
Jeffrey Adam "Duff" Goldman (born December 17, 1974) is a famous American pastry chef, TV star, and writer. He is best known for his amazing cake designs. Duff is the head chef at Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, which became super popular thanks to the Food Network TV show Ace of Cakes.
He also has another bakery, Charm City Cakes West, in Los Angeles. You might have seen his incredible cakes on other shows like Duff Till Dawn, Cake Masters, Buddy vs. Duff, and Duff's Happy Fun Bake Time.
Contents
Duff Goldman's Early Life and School
Duff Goldman was born in Detroit, Michigan. His nickname "Duff" came from his older brother, Willie, who couldn't say "Jeffrey" when they were little.
When Duff was just four years old, his mom found him in the kitchen holding a big knife! He was watching a cooking show with Chef Tell, already showing his love for food.
After his parents divorced, Duff lived in both Northern Virginia and Sandwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. He went to McLean High School and later graduated from Sandwich High School in 1993.
Duff studied East Asian History at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He also went to art school at Corcoran College of Art and Design and then studied cooking at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.
How Duff Started Cooking
Duff began working in kitchens when he was only 14. His first job was at a bagel shop. He even worked as a fry cook at McDonald's!
When he was in college, Duff really wanted to work at a fancy restaurant in Baltimore called Charleston. The head chef, Cindy Wolf, saw his resume and noticed he didn't have much experience. But she gave him a chance to make cornbread and biscuits. Duff says this was a big moment that changed his career.
He learned from top chefs in California, including a special training period at the French Laundry. He also worked as the main pastry chef at the Vail Cascade Hotel in Colorado. Later, he moved back to Washington, D.C., to bake bread at Todd English's restaurant, Olives.
Charm City Cakes Bakery
In 2002, Duff started his own bakery called Charm City Cakes. At first, he baked cakes from his house in Baltimore, Maryland, with just two helpers. As more and more people wanted his cakes, he hired a bigger team. This team included artists, architects, and sculptors to help create amazing cake designs.
Charm City Cakes is famous for using special tools like blow torches, grinders, and drills to build the strong supports inside their cakes.
Duff has made cakes for many famous people and events. He made a cake for former President Barack Obama's second inauguration party in 2013. He also made cakes for writer Tom Clancy, the cast of the TV show Lost, the 30 Rock cast, actor Sir Roger Moore, and for pop singer Katy Perry's "Birthday" music video.
Duff's Cookbooks
Duff Goldman has written three cookbooks to share his baking secrets:
- Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes
- Duff Bakes: Think and Bake Like a Pro at Home
- Super Good Baking for Kids
Duff on TV Shows
Duff is a judge on many Food Network cooking shows, like Holiday Baking Championship, Spring Baking Championship, and Kids Baking Championship. He hosts Kids Baking Championship with Valerie Bertinelli.
In 2022, Duff was on The Masked Singer as "McTerrier." During one performance, his mask accidentally fell off! He was the first person to be eliminated that season.
Duff has also appeared on Guy's Grocery Games, where he competed against other chefs.
Duff's Personal Life
Duff Goldman lives in Los Angeles, California. He loves music and used to play bass guitar in a band called "...soihadto...". Later, he played bass in a band called Foigrock. He even says his dream job, if he wasn't a chef, would be to play bass for the band Clutch. He made a wedding cake for Clutch's lead singer, Neil Fallon.
Duff is Jewish and believes in Tzedakah, which means giving back to the community. He has said that he feels very lucky and it's important for him to help others.
In 2012, Duff had a motorcycle accident and lost some toes.
On April 2, 2018, Duff asked Johnna Colbry to marry him, and they later got married. In January 2021, they welcomed their daughter into the world.
Duff's TV Shows
- Cake Masters (2016-)
- Duff Till Dawn (2015)
- Ace of Cakes (2006-2011)
- Holiday Baking Championship (2014-)
- Iron Chef America (2005)
- Kids Baking Championship (2014-)
- Spring Baking Championship (2015-)
- Worst Bakers in America (2016-)
- Dessert Games (2017-)
- Buddy vs. Duff (2019-)
- Duff Takes the Cake (2019-)
- Double Dare (2019)
- Ryan's Mystery Playdate (2019)
- Unfiltered (2020)
- Duff's Happy Fun Bake Time (2021)
- The Masked Singer (2022)
- Summer Baking Championship (2023-)
- Guy's Grocery Games Delivery
Awards and Nominations
Duff Goldman has been recognized for his work on TV:
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Children's and Family Emmy Awards | Outstanding Host | Kids Baking Championship | {Lost} |
See also
In Spanish: Duff Goldman para niños
