Duff Goldman

Biography

Duff Goldman has been passionate about cooking since he was just four years old, when he first grabbed a meat cleaver while watching Chef Tell on television. A pivotal moment in his culinary journey occurred in second grade when he nearly severed his pinkie while carving a pumpkin, solidifying his fate in the kitchen. Duff's professional culinary career began at age 14 in a bagel shop, where he nearly lost his job for creating oversized sandwiches, a testament to his playful approach to food.

After earning degrees in history and philosophy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Duff pursued his culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America in Greystone, California. He honed his skills at prestigious establishments like the French Laundry and Todd English's Olives, before returning to Baltimore in 2000 as a personal chef.

In March 2002, Duff took a bold step by leaving his regular job to establish Charm City Cakes. This bakery showcased his artistic flair and quickly gained fame through the Food Network series Ace of Cakes, which ran for a decade. Beyond baking, Duff is also a talented graffiti artist, metal sculptor, and musician, playing bass for the tribute band Danger Ace and the indie group Sand Ox. Recently, he expanded his culinary empire with the opening of Charm City Cakes West in Los Angeles.

Currently, Duff is a prominent figure on the Food Network, participating in shows such as Worst Bakers in America, Holiday Baking Championship, Spring Baking Championship, and co-hosting Kids Baking Championship alongside Valerie Bertinelli.