Sandy baker's artistic flair poised to air on 'Cake Off'

It was Carrie Biggers' skill and reputation as one of Utah's best cake designers that got her noticed by the producers of "Ultimate Cake Off."

But it was the memory of her late husband, Bob, that gave her the courage to compete on this new reality show competition on the TLC Channel.

"It was one of the hardest, scariest things I've ever done," said Biggers, owner of Carrie's Cakes in Sandy. "I can't wait to be asked again."

In each episode of "Ultimate Cake Off" three top cake designers -- and a team of assistants -- are given nine hours to create a cake at least five feet tall that fits the theme of a specified event. The winner gets $10,000. Cakes are judged on technical difficulty, aesthetic appeal and client satisfaction.

In Biggers' pre-taped episode, which airs Monday at 11 p.m., she and her two opponents were asked to make a patriotic cake that was displayed during the 4th of July celebration at Southern California's Ronald Reagan Library and Museum. Without giving away the ending, the judges were impressed with both the flavor of Biggers' orange blossom cake as well as the artistic details of her finished design.

Biggers said "Ultimate Cake Off" judges found her through her website -- www.carriescakes.com -- and asked her to send in an audition tape.

The request came while Bigger's was still grieving for her husband, Bob, who died last Novembe

during a dream trip to India. About one week into the tour, the retired mental health counselor -- who was taking medications that compromised his immune system -- became gravely ill. He died in a New Delhi hospital.

Biggers said her husband was the backbone of her cake business, dealing with customers, making deliveries and even baking a cake in an emergency. Without Bob by her side, the invitation to compete on a reality television show was frightening.

"The judges can be very harsh," said Biggers, who worried what would happen if her cake toppled on national television. "I didn't want the experience to ruin my business."

Deep down, though, she knew she had to apply. "I think Bob must have had something to do with the whole thing," she said. She believes that producers might have thrown away her application, except for the influence of her husband. Biggers started decorating cakes in 1978, after taking a community education class at a nearby middle school. She soon became passionate about the craft, buying books and magazines and teaching herself new techniques. After numerous years of making cakes for family and friends, she built a commercial kitchen in her Sandy home and opened Carrie's Cakes.

Through the years, Biggers has become one of Utah's most reputable wedding-cake designers, famous for her handmade fondant, which -- unlike commercial brands that are soapy-tasting and chewy -- actually melts in your mouth and tastes good. Biggers also teaches decorating classes and sells a how-to DVD, entitled "Making Fabulous Fondant."

For "Ultimate Cake Off," Biggers selected an all-Utah team of assistants that included Susan Fox, owner of Midway Country Corner bakery, Fox's daughter Shalena and South Jordan artist and cake painter Julie Andrus. On their airplane flight to California, the team checked 10 suitcases filled with tools, fondants and pre-made cakes. In all, the team's luggage weighed more than 500 pounds.

Fox was not surprised when her friend and colleague was selected for the show.

"Carrie is a perfectionist. It's really important to her that her cakes, whether they are a fancy wedding cake or a simple birthday cake, look nice and clean," she said. "And it has to taste as good as it looks."

kathys@sltrib.com