Bob and Vikki DeLuca look back on Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2, interview

In Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2, the FOX baking competition added new elements to the mix. By dividing the group into professionally trained bakers and self-taught bakers, the categories offered both an advantage and a disadvantage to solving those tricky kitchen clues. For married couple, Bob and Vikki DeLuca, of DeLuca’s House of Cakes, the competition clue solving might have been a little complicated.

While all the bakers competing in Crime Scene Kitchen have knowledge and skill, it can be the pair’s compatibility that can help push away the noise and focus on the task at hand. For married couple and business partners Bob and Vikki DeLuca, a few moments proved to be a little tenuous. Although no one threw in the towel, the couple found a path to keep the calm.

During a recent conversation with the pair, they shared, “Being married can work in your favor because you can pick up on each other’s vibes. Not so much in the kitchen or in this case the Crime Scene Kitchen. Being under pressure made it easier for us to get under each other’s skin. After the first round, we both agreed to disagree and committed to try to work more friendlier under pressure.”

This concept applies beyond the pressures of the competition. Vikki commented, “When Bob and I first started our business, I worked with him. That didn’t last too long as we both have strong personalities. As much as we love each other, we can go at each other especially if there is a time crunch. Bob works at a slower pace and I’m all about getting it done yesterday. So, I stepped away from being at the bakery day in and day out to save the relationship part of the marriage. We needed to separate work from our relationship. I work remotely from home as the bakery’s custom cake consultant. I do need to consult with Bob daily and we’ve figured out a system to do so. Being the cake consultant is a crucial role. All our beautiful cakes stem from these consultations.”

Although their time in the Crime Scene Kitchen was short-lived, the pair captivated fans of the FOX baking competition. From their banter to their stories, the couple felt like an old friends who you wanted to spend time with. Whether it is learning a few Italian phrases or appreciating their back and forth banter, many people would love to share a slice of cake or Italian cookie with the couple.

During a recent episode, Bob revealed how his second career path came to be. Expanding on that story, Bob shared, “During the time while I was battling cancer, I was at home, and I watched several baking shows. These shows lit an old dream I had! It was that I was to fine tune my baking skills and learn more about cake artistry. As I was getting good at baking and custom cakes, I decided to take my dream and make it a reality. It was… and still is… fulfilling.”

While DeLuca’s House of Cakes has a bounty of delectable delights, success outside of the FOX baking competition does not guarantee moving into later rounds. Reflecting on whether his training helped on Crime Scene Kitchen, Bob said, “I am classically trained, however I am more of a cake artist, so I think that being classically trained did not influence me in the kitchen.”

As seen in several challenges during Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2, solving the mystery is vital to moving into the next round. While the clues can lead the bakers in many directions, appreciating what is red herring or wanting a clue to fit into a particular scenario adds to the challenge’s difficulty.

When asked about her clue solving, Vikki said, “I focused on trying to fit the clues based on the dessert we were supposed to make. I found the Crime Scene Kitchen most tricky when it came to using this tactic. What was wrong was, trying to fit all clues into one dessert (hence our maple bacon donuts filled with mixed berries). Not all clues are the right clues.”

Although they might have created an epic franken-food with that doughnut or misidentified orange for apricot, the reality Bob and Vikki DeLuca have tremendous knowledge and experience. Even if they did not walk away with the Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2 prize, a visit to DeLuca’s House of Cakes would make any dessert lover swoon.

Speaking to their offerings, Vikki said, “We offer an array of bakery items at DeLuca’s House of Cakes. A little something for everyone. Our Italian background did influence us to bring in some of our signature pastries such as our lobster tail pastry. It’s an American version of the sfogliatelle ricci, and the recipe has been passed down through the generations of Bob’s family. We also make our Italian cheesecake (made with ricotta cheese) from a recipe that came from my grandmother. Bob’s signature dessert is his 7-layer rainbow crumb. It is derived from the classic 7-layer Italian cookie! Bob is an amazing cake artist, his hand carved cakes are exceptional!

While Vikki’s descriptions would make anyone salivate, Bob brings a little mystery to his commentary. He said, “I was called the mad scientist of the baking kitchen. I like being in my bakery alone at times so I can get creative and make beautiful and delicious desserts.” Scrolling through their Instagram account shows that the creativity and execution are apparent in everything that they do.

Although their time on Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2 has come to a close, the married couple has no regrets. If given a second chance, Vikki said, “I would absolutely love a second chance on Crime Scene Kitchen! I would take it slow in the Crime Scene Kitchen at first, but I won’t say anymore. I don’t want to give away my secret tactic combing for clues. I’ll keep that undercover.”

For Bob, he agreed. “I sure do want another chance in the Crime Scene Kitchen! In fact, I’ve already enrolled in a detective criminology course.”

Everyone can put their detective skills to the test on Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2. New episodes air Monday nights at 9 p.m. on FOX and can be streamed the next day on Hulu.