Yolanda Gampp, the Queen of Cakes, brings her expertise to Crime Scene Kitchen

One look at a Yolanda Gampp cake and many people are left speechless. While the celebrated baker shares her talents with legions of fans, Gampp is bringing her signature style to the new FOX culinary competition, Crime Scene Kitchen. As these teams of bakers have to solve the clues to each baking mystery, food television fans will devour each and every last morsel of the sweet competition.

The phrase “How To Cake It” is more than the Gampp’s successful cake company and online platform. That concept has become a mantra for many aspiring bakers. With a willingness to learn, experiment and have fun, those sweet creations are a feast for the eyes as much as the tastebuds.

On the new FOX culinary competition, Crime Scene Kitchen, teams of bakers must solve the clues to the sweet mystery. Would you be able to connect the dots with a smattering of ingredients and create the perfect dessert to impress both Gampp and Curtis Stone?

Ahead of the Crime Scene Kitchen premiere, Yolanda Gampp spoke with FoodSided about the show, baking and a few other tricks of the sweet life.

While Gampp impresses with her amazing talent, she is a self-taught baker. In some ways, that background has allowed her to be a little more fearless with her desserts. From flavor combinations to decorations, the “baking box” is open to many possibilities.

Gampp said, “I think being self taught made me less fearful to try new recipes and methods of cake decorating. The biggest benefit, in my opinion, is that you are forced to learn from your mistakes and try again. I’m not a traditional person, I constantly try to think out of the box, and that path led me to where I am.”

While Gampp embraces an out of the box mentality, that approach can be helpful for the bakers on Crime Scene Kitchen. Although there is a difference between a culinary competition and traditional baking, the reality is that these bakers need to think, process, and execute a spectacular dessert based on the clues.

In some ways, the baking competition could have bakers thinking a little differently. Gampp said, “I think it’s important to have a vision of what you would like to make, and be able to transform all the ingredients into that vision. However, the clues on Crime Scene Kitchen aren’t that easy! People have a natural tendency to gravitate toward what they are most comfortable baking. If I were a contestant on the show, I would have to try very hard to steer myself away from making a cake every round.”

How would Yolanda Gampp approach the Crime Scene Kitchen challenge?

Since this culinary competition is a new type of baking challenge, many people are watching and learning from the new FOX show. Although home bakers might not be stepping into this Crime Scene Kitchen, there are various takeaways that any baker can appreciate.

One of the biggest items is that all the senses apply to a delicious bite. Even though sometimes you might want to eat with your eyes closed, the visual really does matter.

Gampp commented, “We eat with our eyes before we taste. I certainly do that. I have ordered countless dishes just because I saw them at the next table, or as a server walked by. I think appearance is a first impression, especially when it comes to dessert. It’s the final act in a meal or the showpiece at an event.”

But in Crime Scene Kitchen, the pressure is on and one element that can cause bakers to get flustered is the time constraints. Gampp believes, “the time constraints are very difficult. As a cake decorator, I never have enough time! There is always more I could’ve, would’ve, should’ve done. Baking is a science and if something goes wrong in the process- you start again. In this competition there is no time to start again, so you must try your hardest and pay attention from the get go.”

As many viewers watch this culinary competition, it can be an opportunity to pull out the flour, sugar and butter from the kitchen. Although the aspiring baker might not be making that stunning show piece, there are many desserts that are within their grasp.

Gampp believes, “cookies are a great starting point. They often don’t require many ingredients or a stand mixer and don’t take long to bake. Start by making something that doesn’t overwhelm you and don’t be afraid to try again if it doesn’t work out the first time. What’s the worst that could happen? You may end up with 2 dozen over baked chocolate chip cookies that you can crumble onto a scoop of ice cream. That’s a problem most people can handle.”

While it can be best to start small, many people dream big with their baking goals. The over the top reactions from the realistic cakes have some bakers trying to push the envelope even further.

For Gampp, this baking idea isn’t necessarily new. She said, “Realistic cakes have been a trend in my life for the past 22 years! I’m so happy to see my passion getting it’s chance in the spotlight. Sometimes I think baking trends are a cycle, like fashion. I have a feeling cupcakes will make a comeback.”

Whether or not cupcakes are making a comeback, flour covers the home kitchen or another sweet treat tempts people to take a bite, the new FOX show Crime Scene Kitchen needs to be on the food television must watch list. Whether or not viewers correctly solve that baking mystery, this culinary competition is a show that everyone will want to devour.

Crime Scene Kitchen airs on FOX Wednesday nights at 9 p.m.

Yolanda Gampp is a cake expert and is known for her brand, How To Cake It.

What is your favorite dessert? Would you be willing to be a culinary detective and solve these baking mysteries?