5 Sweetest Secrets: Duff Goldman’s Life-Changing 2025—New Baby, New Show, And His First Savory Restaurant

Duff Goldman, the legendary "Ace of Cakes" and one of Food Network’s most beloved personalities, is currently experiencing a monumental period of professional and personal growth, with major updates spanning his television career, entrepreneurial ventures, and family life as of December 12, 2025. The celebrity pastry chef has made headlines with the premiere of a new, high-stakes competition series, the launch of a highly-anticipated new restaurant concept, and the joyous news of an upcoming addition to his family in the spring of 2026, solidifying his status as a powerhouse in the culinary world.

From the creative chaos of Charm City Cakes to the competitive intensity of *Super Mega Cakes*, Duff Goldman continues to redefine what a pastry chef can be, blending art, engineering, and humor into everything he does. His latest projects, including a foray into savory cuisine and headlining major food festivals, prove that the man who built a career on custom-made, gravity-defying cakes is still full of surprises and fresh ideas for the coming year.

Jeffrey Adam "Duff" Goldman: A Quick Biography and Profile

Jeffrey Adam "Duff" Goldman, known simply as Duff, has built a culinary empire on the foundation of creativity and technical skill. Born in Detroit, Michigan, his early life was marked by a passion for cooking that began at the tender age of four. His unique background, including a past as a graffiti artist, heavily influences the bold, artistic approach he brings to his cake designs.

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• Full Name: Jeffrey Adam Goldman
• Nickname: Duff
• Date of Birth: December 17, 1974
• Age (as of 2025): 50 years old
• Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, USA
• Spouse: Johnna Colbry (married 2019)
• Children: Josephine (daughter), and expecting baby No. 2 in Spring 2026
• Education: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (B.A. in History and Philosophy), and The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone (Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate)
• Current Ventures: Charm City Cakes (Baltimore & Los Angeles), Duff’s Deli + Market, and various Food Network shows.

The Biggest News of 2025/2026: Family Expansion and New Culinary Ventures

The year 2025 has been pivotal for Duff Goldman, marked by significant milestones in both his personal and professional spheres. The most heartwarming news came in late November 2025, when he and his wife, Johnna Goldman, announced they are expecting their second child. The new baby is due in the spring of 2026, making their daughter, Josephine, a big sister.

In the culinary world, Goldman made a surprising and exciting pivot with the opening of his first-ever savory restaurant, Duff's Deli + Market. Known globally for his fantastical cakes at Charm City Cakes, this new venture is a deeply personal project. The menu is a tribute to the traditional Jewish delis and comfort food of his upbringing, showcasing a different, equally passionate side of his culinary expertise.

On the television front, Duff continues his reign as a Food Network staple. He is currently starring in the new series, *Super Mega Cakes*, which premiered in June 2025. This show is a major shift, as it sees Goldman and his Charm City Cakes team compete against six other top cake artists, marking a return to high-stakes competition for the chef. He is also slated for a new *Buddy vs. Duff* special, continuing his friendly rivalry with Buddy Valastro, and remains a judge on the popular *Holiday Baking Championship* and *Kids Baking Championship* series.

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From Graffiti to Greystone: The Making of the Ace of Cakes

Duff Goldman's journey to culinary stardom is anything but traditional. Jeffrey Adam Goldman was born in Detroit but spent time growing up in both St. Louis and Northern Virginia. His early interest in food was sparked when he was caught by his mother, at age four, wielding a meat cleaver while watching the classic cooking show *Chef Tell*.

Before becoming a world-renowned pastry chef, Goldman pursued a different academic path, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he majored in History and Philosophy. This intellectual foundation is often credited with his ability to conceptualize complex, narrative-driven cake designs.

His formal culinary training began later, at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in California’s Napa Valley. This experience allowed him to fuse his raw artistic talent with classical baking techniques. Prior to opening his own shop, he worked in various top-tier establishments, including the French Laundry and the Vail Cascade Hotel.

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In 2002, Goldman opened Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, Maryland, a custom cake shop that quickly gained a cult following for its outlandish, sculptural creations. The shop became the setting for the hit Food Network reality show, *Ace of Cakes*, which ran from 2006 to 2010 and launched Goldman into international stardom.

The Expanding Duff Goldman Universe: TV, Partnerships, and Events

Beyond his cornerstone businesses, Duff Goldman has significantly expanded his brand footprint in 2025 through various high-profile events and partnerships, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and broad appeal. These projects keep his name and his whimsical approach to food consistently in the public eye.

• Ocala Food & Wine Festival Headliner: Goldman is set to headline the 2025 Ocala Food & Wine Festival, showcasing his culinary skills to a live audience and engaging with fans outside of the studio environment.
• The World's Biggest Holiday Cookie: In November 2025, he partnered with a major brand to unveil the "World's Biggest Holiday Cookie," a massive, celebratory project that ties into the festive season and highlights his ability to execute large-scale, publicity-generating bakes.
• Great Wolf Lodge Partnership: Continuing his holiday tradition, Duff collaborated with Great Wolf Lodge for their seasonal offerings. This partnership, which follows his creation of a larger-than-life gingerbread "lodge" in previous years, focuses on holiday baking traditions and family-friendly food moments.
• Continued Television Presence: In addition to *Super Mega Cakes*, he remains a fixture in the Food Network’s competitive lineup, including the *Baking Championship* franchise and specialized shows like *Donut Showdown*.

Duff Goldman’s career trajectory, from a graffiti artist to a classically trained chef and now a television personality and entrepreneur, is a testament to his relentless creativity. With a new baby on the way and a successful foray into the world of savory cuisine with Duff's Deli + Market, 2026 is poised to be another banner year for the Ace of Cakes.

The chef, who lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter, continues to inspire amateur bakers and professional chefs alike by showing that food, especially cake, is a medium for limitless artistic expression. His ability to remain fresh and relevant, constantly introducing new concepts like his Jewish deli-inspired venture while maintaining his roots with Charm City Cakes, ensures that the Duff Goldman universe will keep expanding for years to come.