Macy's Passport 2008

Dolce & Gabbana? Oscar de la Renta? Gucci? What about Chanel? NOPE! Instead San Francisco fashion day gets Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Ed Hardy. Again, I repeat, Ed Hardy. Tacky-tattoo-art-on-your-shirt-instead-of-your-skin for $187 Ed Hardy. Needless to say, no couture here but I cant complain...  its all for charity. 

In over 26 years Macy's Passport has raised awareness and donated more than $27 million towards saving lives of those living with HIV/AIDS. And for years Home Restaurant has participated in catering the event but this time I took the helm. I decided to create 700 bite-sized variations of desserts I've featured on my menu: New York Style Cheesecake with Dried Cherry Compote and Citrus Bars with Vanilla Meringue (Lemon Meringue Pie).

Fortunately Michael, Lauren and I had a chance to view most of the show, taste some sweets and watch the Jabawockeez perform- OMG.

Desserts for Macy's Passport created September.18.2008

Academy of Friends Gala

1200 mini cupcakes might seem like a lot of work, but imagine having to frantically repair more than half of them on-site because of damage during transport... now thats a nightmare! And thats exactly what happened February 24th 2008 the day of the Academy of Friends Gala. Academy of Friends was founded in 1980 as a private oscar party of 25 friends but has grown to become one of the largest contributors to Bay Area HIV/AIDS services organizations. The '08 Gala raised over 500,000 and AOF has raised over 6.3 million over the past two decades.


Our original goal was to make 1500 cupcakes as suggested by the event organizers but after an impromptu decision to arrive two hours early, 1200 mini cupcakes it was: 600 Vanilla Bean with Vanilla Frosting and 600 Dark Chocolate with Milk Chocolate Buttercream.

AOF Veteran/ Martini Stealer Michael and I holding
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

The decor was beautiful and the guests were entertained by acrobatics, 007 sketches and singer Taylor Dayne. Just a few minutes of mini-cupcake touch-ups, and they were ready for display and eating, of course. After rhythmically shaking my head to Tell It To My Heart, Beautiful, and some other 80's hit I was unfamiliar with, the party was over with plenty cupcakes to spare.