It was SO COOL watching them come together. They film just 3 miles from where I live. I think they do it every 2 or 3 months.

My big thrill was seeing Anna from Charm City Cakes working in Kitchen 1. I love her on Ace of Cakes.

Awesomecakes! Hee.

Can you tell us about the shooting? Did it take forever? Were there wacky off-camera hijinks? I think it must have been so amazing to see it all come together realtime.

Also, this was a perfect challenge for Anna.

We were there from 8:30am to 6:30pm, though we could come and go as we please. Some people didn't show up until 4:30, but I loved watching all the pieces parts come together.

We couldn't really hear what was happening in the kitchen and, sometimes due to all the cameras, we couldn't really see much. Even so, I love seeing the "behind the scenes" stuff, like how Keegan has to repeat the count downs a few time to get it right, or how Kerry (the "mean" judge) was really chatty and smiley as she wandered around waiting to be on camera and do judgy things.

I'm very curious to see the episode and actually hear some of what was going on. A few things came up during the judging, such as Anna having an "emotional day", that weren't obvious as the taping went on.

At one point, in a different kitchen, when one gal was putting a cake layer in the fridge, the shelf came lose and she could barely hold onto it. Her partner tried to hold on around her while she wiggled out from under him. They ended up having to put it in an extra fridge that was outside the studio area.

I LOVE Anna's skill at painting. I got to congratulate her on her cake, she put so much detail into those dinosaurs.

Oh, Hil. Sorry you're in pain.

Curious which of the others gets the √, charm or good looks? And only ONE of them?? Hmph!

I thought about the charm. I never can imagine how people really look like in real life, even if I saw gazillion pictures of them. And well, it does take certain amount of charm to get me into some of the stuff I've typed here in the past.

BTW Shir, I was talking about you at work today. Someone brought in cupcakes, and I was saying how I wish I knew a way to ship them so they last 2 weeks+, with frosting, half way across the earth, since I know you like them. Alas, the best thought was "ship her the ingredients". Um. Ya, not quite the same, and not sure that would be the best answer either. Not all my co-workers are the sharpest blade in the drawer.

Cupcakes!!!!!!!!!! Well, thanks for thinking about me, sweetheart. But passover is in about two weeks, anyway, and I'll try to avoid bread and unkosher food as much as I'll be able to (oh, yeah: I grew up in a very secular house, which means I don't really know what's kosher for passover and what's not. Every year, a new item goes on the list. And usually, after 5 days or so I'll forget that cakes, cereals or something like that aren't kosher, and absentmindedly will have some. It's work in progress).

Suzi, that's awesome! Sounds like a fun day.

Ouch. My back is killing me and stealing my sleep. Thank goodness I have a chiro appointment today.

Sleep~ma, sj.

Uni:

Too much thoughts and stuff to organize, not to mention, statistics practice.

I think it might be the time for LOLCats.

Even so, I love seeing the "behind the scenes" stuff, like how Keegan has to repeat the count downs a few time to get it right, or how Kerry (the "mean" judge) was really chatty and smiley as she wandered around waiting to be on camera and do judgy things.

My favorite part of the Iron Chef America taping I went to was when the Chairman declared the wrong winner and they had to go again. (He said the winner was Iron Chef Flay, but Morimoto was the one competing that day.) Little things that you never really think about while you're watching the show.

On the radio today they announced that they're filming (yet another) movie in town and, that when you hear the explosion and see the fireball over the Potomac, it's them.

Let's see how many people didn't get the message.

That has bad idea written all over it.