Cake Master at Rest

The Food Network is hosting their competition show, Food Network Challenge, at the Mall of America this week. The other day, various food professionals from across the country competed to create a Candy Castle. The sweet victory went to local cake-legend Susan O’Boyle Jacobson, garnering her $10,000 and some nice national coverage.

In a sad turn of events, Susan passed away last night from a heart attack.

Having met her a few times through our little food industry professionals networking group, Women Who Really Cook, I can say that we’ve truly lost a great one. She was an amazing cake decorator who, at one point in her life, could put out 35 wedding cakes in a busy weekend, by herself. A past President of the International Cake Exploration Societe, Susan was known all over the world.

But her most important contributions are still yet to be seen. Last year she traveled to Russia and volunteered in a large production bakery. She spent nearly three weeks mentoring and giving guidance to the young bakers, teaching them new skills and more efficient techniques. Locally, she taught at The Art Institutes International Minnesota, helping young pastry students to four gold and four silver medals at last February’s Minnesota Baker’s Convention.

Anyone who makes something beautiful and edible knows, the greatest joy is in sharing it with others. The next time one of her young students wins a competition with a towering stunner of a cake, it will surely be Susan’s sweetest reward. There will be a scholarship at AII in her memory.