When Buddy Valastro comes to town, you expect him to bring cake. Unfortunately for Akron, he didn’t bring enough cake to feed all 2,600 people at the Akron Civic Theater.

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When Buddy Valastro comes to town, you expect him to bring cake. Unfortunately for Akron, he didn’t bring enough cake to feed all 2,600 people at the Akron Civic Theater.

The star of TLC’s reality show Cake Boss appeared in Akron on Sunday in an interactive show that included a showdown with Akron-based bakery Taylor Made Cakes.

During an audience question section, Lindy Taylor, founder of Taylor Made Cakes, challenged Valastro to a wedding cake decorating competition. Once on stage, Valastro made her make a frosting rose while blindfolded, a feat he performed earlier during the show. Even though Taylor failed, she made a valiant attempt.

Buddy was too scared to challenge me, so he made me do it blindfolded, said Taylor. Overall, though, it was a great experience getting to meet him and getting up on stage.

Valastro, who has run his family’s bakery since he was 17, also performed various cake decorating techniques that have made him one of the most famous cake architects in the country. A few lucky audience members even got to go on stage to learn a few tricks, while competing against one another. The winners, voted by scream volume from the audience, won a free t-shirt.

This weekend’s stop in Akron was just one of several appearances around the country with Valastro’s An Evening with Buddy Valastro– Bakin’ with the Boss tour. Valastro explained what goes on backstage at the series and about the members of his large Italian family, many of whom work at Hoboken, N.J.’s Carlo’s Bakery and appear on the show.

What most people don’t realize is that over 90 hours of work is edited down into a 22-minute show, said Valastro.

Audience members were left cake-less in the end, but they got an inside look into what makes Carlo’s Bakery tick. Additionally, Valastro revealed plans for a new cake distribution center that will offer decorating classes for interested bakers.

I didn’t know what to expect, but it was really entertaining, said Kristen Haupt, sophomore.There was a great balance between interactive decorating demonstrations and stories about his business.

I was really holding out for some cake, though. That would have made the night perfect, said Haupt.

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