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Delaware’s King of Cake
“I can recall being in class with phenomenal professors such as Paul Wise, Francis Kwansa, Joe DiGregorio and Debbie Ellingsworth, Professors Bob Nelson and Pam Cummings, and other great hospitality leaders. They had a real passion for the industry and a desire to make professionals out of us. They loved what they did.” READ MORE…
Men Who Cook:Dana Herbert
Toss the flour and call this one sweet victory.
On Monday night, Delaware chef Dana Herbert was chosen as the winner of the TLC TV series “Next Great Baker.”
Herbert, 34, of Bear beat out two other pastry chef finalists to take home the $50,000 top prize awarded by judge, and TLC star, Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro.
“I’m ecstatic. I never had $50,000 before. I think I’m going to put the money away for my child’s education,” said Herbert, who had to spend 24 hours baking cookies, cakes and pies for a challenge which he won. A large cake that he created, which represented the town of Hoboken, N.J., was preferred by Valastro’s mother, who also served as a judge.
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“Sugar Daddy” recognized by Wilmington council
TLC TV series “Next Great Baker” winner Chef Dana Herbert was recognized by Wilmington City Council Thursday night.
“Wilmington City Council acknowledges one of Delaware’s distinguished chefs, Dana Herbert,” Councilwoman Hanifa Shabazz said Thursday. “He has used his culinary talents to create sugar sculptures and even a wedding casket cake titled ‘Taste of Heaven.’ He is known as the ‘Sugar Daddy’ because of his work with … sugar.”
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“Next Great Baker” talks about win, possible Delaware dessert shop
“Baker” man Dana Herbert may be in need of a sugar rush.
While the 34-year-old was still trying to absorb being named the winner Monday night of the TLC culinary competition series “Next Great Baker,” there is no rest for weary reality TV stars.
By Tuesday morning, he was already putting in a half day at his job as head chef of the Delaware River & Bay Authority’s cafe off U.S. 13 before getting ready to head to Hoboken, N.J., to film scenes for another TLC series, “Cake Boss.”
The Bear resident, who beat out nine other contestants to win a car and the $50,000 “Next Great Baker” top prize, is glad he can finally share his win with friends and colleagues.
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Will Dana Herbert be the ‘Next Great Baker’?
NEW CASTLE — Dana Herbert can create cakes that resemble Gucci and Chanel handbags, Frankenstein’s monster, toy soldiers, corseted wedding gowns and Lamborghinis.
“I’ll take on pretty much anything,” he says, standing in his Desserts by Dana “cake gallery,” a snug studio at 122 Delaware St. in Old New Castle where he meets customers to taste his custom-made cakes.
“Anything out of the box is my specialty. The more artistic, the better.”
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Tonight could be the night for Delaware pastry chef
Pastry chef Dana Herbert could be named America’s “Next Great Baker.”
The winner of the reality show baking contest will be announced tonight on TLC’s “CAKE BOSS: The Next Great Baker. You can watch it with Chef Herbert at Theatre N in the Nemours Building in Downtown Wilmington.
Doors open at 7 p.m. with the finale show starting at 9 p.m.
Earlier this month, Herbert reminisced about baking cookies at Grandma’s when he was a little kid.
But he says the “itch” to bake really started back in high school.
“I would just go home and make stuff out of the cook book every day I got home. Eventually my mom said, ‘Wait! You gotta eat all this stuff that you’re baking.’”
After studying at the University of Delaware, the Bear native studied at Johnson and Wales’ prestigious College of Culinary Arts in Rhode Island.
Now, 34, Herbert’s elaborate creations are on display at New Castle’s Desserts by Dana.
Voted Best of Delaware last year, Herbert’s known for his custom wedding cakes, red velvet cake and sweet potato cheesecake.
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