Cupcake MirrorBall

Come on now, we all watch Dancing With The Stars, and who doesn't secretly want to win that Mirror Ball trophy. Well, this could be your chance - and for something we all love. CUPCAKES! The Wisconsin Baker's Association is looking for the ULTIMATE CUPCAKE WARRIOR
CHAMPION as a part of the ART OF PASTRY event at the Wisconsin Restaurant Association trade show in March.

I know, I haven't posted in a long time. Frankly, I haven't been sure what my roll in the blogging world is now that Milwaukee's IronCupcake has wrapped up. BUT...for one sweet day I get to revisit my title as the Milwaukee Cupcake Queen as I will be one of the judges of this sugary competition.

Still not tempted? Can you say DONALD DRIVER? Yes, DD will be giving the keynote address the morning of the competition. Hubba hubba. Registration is open until 3/1 and is open to professional bakers in the state of Wisconsin. For all the legal details visit the Wisconsin Baker's Association website. The little sparkly treat below could be yours!

A Miracle, thanks to Paul Thorn

Break time...

Talk a 15 minute break and watch this great interview with Dave Grohl. He really IS that guy. He is so awesome.

You really 'LIKE' me?

Cupcake World, I need your help! I am a lifelong FOO FIGHTERS fan.

https://www.facebook.com/summerfest/posts/261826217256786

I don't normally bombard with crazy requests, but this time, I am going to enjoy the liberty of having a blog and big email list. It may seem silly, but I'm a FINALIST in the Milwaukee Summerfest Front Row FOO FIGHTERS contest. As of this morning, a teen from IL has slipped past me in the voting. Its time to rally the troops! If I win the contest, I am going to auction my current tickets off in exchange for a donation to the CITY OF HOPE CANCER RESEARCH HOSPITAL. If you are a Facebooker, I would LOVE if you would go to this post and LIKE it. That's all it takes! Please share with your friends, post on your blogs and if you manage any groups, please ask them to do the same.

https://www.facebook.com/summerfest/posts/261826217256786

Hope everyone is doing sweetly!

As always, CANCER SUCKS, CUPCAKES ROCK!

ONE WEEK!

Originally aired 6 years ago!

TWENTY DAYS TO GO!!!

Happy Birthday Marilyn

It's Marilyn Monroe's 86th birthday. Johnny Cupcakes has gotten into the sack with her to celebrate. Check out the awesome available for special order only for just the next couple of days...

I got mine...did you get yours?

I'm Sorry, You've Been Chopped...

Ted Allen was in Milwaukee last night. If you don't think he is kind of a big deal, check again. It was a super fun time at Next Chapter Books listening to stories from his days at Chicago and Esquire magazines, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Top Chef, Iron Chef and, of course, Chopped! Oh yeah, don't forget, he just won a couple of James Beard Awards. Also his birthday - today! Stories from behind the scenes of all of his shows, the magazine days, what might be next, life with his long time partner and a dash of politics for good measure.

 

It was a great time. I made him a Milwaukee Mystery Box, it seemed only fitting. Inside was Rehorst Vodka, Alterra Coffee, Rishi Tea, Indulgence Chocolate, Balzano Salami, Santori Cheese, Milwaukee Pickles and Penzey's Spices - oh, and an IronCupcake t-shirt and buttons - of course.

 

Another signing with no photo posing (i hate this trend) but at least I found the photo that my mom took of us in 2007 on a jump drive just a week ago. Photo above is from his Facebook page (can you see my head?). Photo in the middle is from my camera and photo below is from 2007 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

FOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Get the TRUCK Out! NO!

Well Milwaukee, you have done it again. Take something totally awesome. Something that thrives in other cities and you poop on its awesome. According to WISN12:

Milwaukee officials banned food trucks from an area downtown because their popularity has been causing safety issues, according to the Department of Public Works.
A handful of food trucks have been congregating on Cathedral Square for lunch each Friday, but safety concerns brought up by Milwaukee police prompted the ban.
DPW officials said a pilot permit program will allow Milwaukee food trucks a permanent spot adjacent to Red Arrow Park.
The Food Truck Cookbook author John Edge said he has told many cities that they should look at Madison, Wis., as an example of how to deal with the growing industry.
"They wanted to build a United Nations of food, with the idea that food is a portal to culture," he said.
Fast Foodie owner Jackie Valentlucca said food trucks are very different than any brick and mortar restaurant.
"It's apples and oranges, quite honestly," Valentlucca said.

I feel that Food Trucks are just another way for America's small business owners to get their start. More than safety issues, I personally feel that the brick and mortar establishments are the real reason this has been banned. They are jealous of the business that a truck generates. But in reality, if I want to grab a quick bite, I am going to go to a truck, grab it and run. I wouldn't have wanted a sit down lunch. In that situation, I don't have the time to kill. Anyway...I am friends with Scott Baitinger, the owner of STREETZA PIZZA and he posted this to their Facebook page this morning...

We love the idea of moving to Red Arrow Park. Food Truck Friday has become a part of Milwaukee's vibrant downtown landscape, and the fact that it is moving a couple of blocks may give even more people the chance to come and experience all of Milwaukee's mobile food options.

We celebrated our 3rd anniversary yesterday - in those three years, we've served many customers and developed friendships with them. Thank you to everyone for that.

We've gotten more publicity for the city and Milwaukee's food culture than any brick and mortar restaurant - Last we counted, there have been over 700 articles written about us and the city. When Bloomberg Business Week named us the best food truck in the U.S. last year, there were hundreds of media outlets that shared not only our information, but told the world what a great place to live / work / and eat Milwaukee is.

It is short sighted to say that food trucks are a threat to public safety, or even a real threat to traditional brick and mortar restaurants. One of the things that we do very well, is bring people to areas they traditionally don't spend time in. Thousands of people came to Cathedral Square last year when we gathered there for the first time in years. And guess what... many of them returned on Thursdays for Jazz in the Park, Wednesdays for dinner and Friday nights for martinis.

We're looking forward to seeing some new faces and catching up with all of our friends from the Cathedral Square area again this year.

The good news is that if you have to walk 3 extra blocks to get to us, you'll burn off the extra calories if you choose to grab dessert from us too.

:) Love

Streetza Pizza

For the record, Streetza has been a loooong time supporter of IronCupcake and I am now working with Scott in my day-job at Verlo. But, I feel that his letter sums up the situation and I would hate to see Milwaukee make another mistake as creativity is just beginning to blossom. With or without wheels, the strongest businesses will survive.