Local Pastry Chef Rob Porter
SACRAMENTO, CA - When Pastry Chef Rob Porter began designing cupcakes, it started as a way to help pay for his college tuition; but now, he's hoping his cupcake creations will earn him a chance to compete on the Food Network's Cupcake Wars.
"I don't know how many times a week people have said 'these are the best cupcakes I've ever had,' Porter said. "Truthfully, I got channeled into 'you're the cupcake guy.'"
Porter, who grew up in Rochester, NY, is the youngest of six children. His mother taught him how to cook when he was a teenager.
"She always said 'one day, if something ever happens to me, you'll know how to do it,'" recalls Porter. "I never really paid attention to it until I got older."
Porter's mother died of lung cancer when he was 14; his father also died of lung cancer just six months later.
Porter submitted an application to the show in early January. Less than a week later, he got a call that said he made it to the second round.
*Cupcake Creations*
Porter's cupcake craze started in May 2011 after he baked cupcakes for a family friend's baby shower.
"Everybody went crazy," Porter recalls.
Porter baked a dark chocolate cupcake with a buttercream cheese frosting, which is now known as the "Chocolate Juju" cupcake, named after his wife, Julie.
Since the baby shower, Porter has created more than 70 flavors and plans to have 100 signature flavors before he opens a storefront. He started Drizzle Cupcakes, a cupcake catering business, in June and currently only takes online and phone orders. Porter would like to open a storefront soon and also aspires to open a restaurant, featuring assorted desserts.
"I didn't expect the cupcake thing to do what it did," Porter said.
Porter has baked for anniversary parties, golf outings, and corporate functions. He has even been asked to fly to Southern California to cater events.
His best selling flavors are vanilla cherry almond and banana toffee. He said his cupcakes are best known for taste.
"If I put three flavors in a cupcake, you're going to be able to taste all three."
Porter, who doesn't use traditional buttercream frosting, made his own personal creation of frosting.
"It's less sweet," Porter explained. "It allows you to eat multiple cupcakes without feeling like you have to drink a quart of water."
Porter is studying baking and pastry arts at the Institute of Technology in Citrus Heights. He bakes between classes and homework at an industrial kitchen at Plates Cafe, at Depot Park on Business Park Way in Sacramento. As part of his rental agreement, Porter also teaches women from St. John's Shelter how to bake during a two-hour class.
*Cupcake Competition*
Each week on Cupcake Wars, four bakers face off in three elimination challenges until one baker remains.
"It's always the first round when people kill themselves," Porter said.
An avid fan of the show, Porter said too many contestants choose to combine ingredients that don't mix.
"Get two ingredients that fit well together, not turkey and cranberry. Why not orange and cranberry?" Porter explained. "That's all (the judges) are looking for."
Throughout the competition, bakers' cupcakes are judged on taste, presentation and technique. The winner gets a $10,000 prize and the opportunity to showcase their cupcakes at the winning gig.
"For me, it's not about whether three judges like my cupcake or not. It's about getting on the map and proving something to myself," Porter said.
If given the opportunity to compete, Porter plans to have his classmate, Claudia Williams, as his cupcake assistant. He would even split the $10,000 grand prize with Williams and use the remaining money on new packaging for his cupcakes.
"It's never been about the money for me," Porter said. "Truthfully, it's about getting my name out there and proving I can do it."
Porter, 42, said designing cupcakes is his second career; his first passion was music. He considers himself a humble person, but said he's hoping to also earn the title of "Best Cupcakes of Sacramento."
"I think I do have the best cupcakes in Sacramento by far," Porter said.
As part of the application process, Porter provided background information, photographs and press information, including appearances on News10's Sac&Co. He also had to explain why he should be on the show and what makes him different from other applicants.
Porter also created a demo video that showcases his personality, in an effort to make it to the next round of the application process.
"I'm just trying to enjoy it and really enjoy the ride. Enjoy every moment of it."
Porter is scheduled to be on Sac&Co this Friday, February 3. He'll be showcasing his cupcakes as part of a Deal Chicken offer.
News10/KXTV