'Ace of Cakes' Duff Goldman to speak at PSU

The first thing Duff Goldman fans need to know: When this star of the hit show "Ace of Cakes" appears in Pittsburg, he's not baking a cake.

Goldman will appear at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, in Pittsburg's Memorial Auditorium as part of this year's PSU Performance and Lecture Series. And while he won't be baking or decorating a cake, he will definitely share humorous stories about the fascinating journey that has brought him to star in the popular Food Network program "Ace of Cakes."

Goldman's life story takes some interesting turns. He showed an interest in cooking at the age of 4 and started working professionally when he was just 14. His first love, however, was art. He began as a graffiti artist, moving eventually to metal sculpture, working in the meantime as a chef in local restaurants. He is also an accomplished musician, playing bass in an indie instrumental band.

After earning a degree in Eastern history and philosophy from the University of Maryland, Goldman switched to the west coast to enter the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, Calif.

Goldman eventually combined his artistic talent, his experience with sculpture and his skill in the kitchen to form Charm City Cakes in 2000. In 2006, the Food Network launched the show "Ace of Cakes," featuring Duff and his fellow cake artists. Today, Charm City Cakes may be the best known bakery in the U.S.

Goldman's success on the Food Network has led him to expand his career. He now also stars in the Food Network series, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate," and he just completed several guest-starring roles in both TV and film, including Fox's "King of the Hill" and Walt Disney Pictures, "You Again." Goldman has also made his first foray into the publishing world with the recently released "Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes" from HarperCollins/William Morrow.

Tickets for Goldman's appearance in Pittsburg are $5 for the general public and $3 for PSU faculty and staff, persons 65 and older or 17 and under. PSU students with valid ID are admitted without charge. All seating is general admission.

Tickets are available at the PSU Ticket Office in the Overman Student Center, (620) 235-4796, www.pittstate.edu/office/tickets/ or at the door the night of the performance. Memorial Auditorium is located at 503 N. Pine.

For more information, call (620) 235-4795.