Air Force featured on TLC's "Cake Boss"

The Airmen, family and friends of the 621st Contingency Response Wing cheer as Buddy Valastro and his team of bakers from Carlo's Bakery deliver the cake for the CRW's first-ever Dining Out. Carlo's Bakery, based out of Hoboken, N.J., is the focal point for TLC's hit show Cake Boss. An episode featuring the cake built for the CRW Dining Out will air on TLC Nov. 9, at 10/9C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Ramos)

'Cake Boss' episode filmed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to air Nov 9

Published Nov. 4, 2009
By By Capt. Dustin Doyle
621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,N.J. -- Viewers of the hit television show "Cake Boss" will get a little taste of the Air Force mission when an episode filmed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in September airs on TLC, Nov. 9, at 10 p.m EST.

Filmed at McGuire and aboard the Battleship New Jersey in Camden, the episode will feature an Air Force-themed cake created for the 621st Contingency Response Wing's first-ever Dining Out.

"Buddy and his crew were great to work with, and they really built an amazing cake for our event," said Col. Brian O'Connor, commander of the 621st CRW. "Obviously, I've already seen the cake, so all I'm going to say is that viewers are definitely going to be impressed with its overall scale and level of detail."

During the Cake Boss crew's visit to JB-MDL, Buddy Valastro and three of his bakers were inspired for the cake through hands-on weapon and equipment demonstrations, and an up close look at C-17 loading operations.

For one baker in particular, the base visit brought back some old memories. Joey Faugno, Buddy's brother-in-law and one of the key bakers at Carlo's Bakery, was a fuels Airman stationed at McGuire Air Force Base from where he deployed for Desert Storm.

"It was great to have Joey involved in the process," said Colonel O'Connor. "The cake was an amazing tribute to both the CRW and the Air Force, and I'm sure having the perspective of a veteran Airman helped in its creation."

While television viewers will have an opportunity to see the finished cake when the show airs next Monday, one question will remain unanswered. How did it taste?

"I must admit that I didn't think a cake that looked that good would taste very good," said Master Sgt. Susan Parker, one of the 400 Dining Out attendees. "I was wrong. It was hands-down, some of the best cake I have ever tasted."

Viewers will have to take her word for it.