Sweet Revenge Nog Cupcake
I count my blessings as a small business owner. Several weeks ago, I heard from ABC World News Now producer Janine Elliot who reached out to discuss the possibility of being featured on their show for National Cupcake Day. I asked how she knew about my restaurant & wine bar, Sweet Revenge®. She explained she’d researched the best of the best in cupcakes and Sweet Revenge was tops on the list. What an honor!
We talked about ideas for the tv segment, and then I sent her a brief pitch on how we could feature the making of our holiday cupcake The Nog (eggnog cake, spiced cream cheese frosting, grated nutgmeg dusted on top) and taking show host Tina Trinh through our cupcake, wine & beer pairings.
To film a segment efficiently, we deploy some smarty prep up tricks. We mise out batter and frosting ingredients ie have them pre-measured out and ready for filming. We bake off a tray of cupcakes that doubles as b-roll for when the producers want to pull a freshly baked tray coming out of the oven, and its also used when demonstrating our decorating techniques. 
Our frosting is at the appropriate temperature for easy decorating along with a filled piping bag. We plan out the cupcake, wine and beer pairings in advance with the show host so there is a smooth, organized work flow and everyone is on the same page as to what to expect. What you see Chef Danielle Falcon doing on the segment in a flash requires her to do the legwork in advance. She and I talk through the anticipated order of events for the morning and any contingency plans that may be needed.
When it’s time to do the pairings, we pick out the “beauty shots”, ie the creme de la creme of our cupcakes (yes, it’s true there are some that are better looking than others….but they all taste the same, ha!) and we get just the right angle for the camera lens. Our signature rustic parchment paper and mohawk design require just the right positioning to look maximum delicious for the camera. Who woulda thunk that making some cupcakes and having a silly good time enjoying them with booze would require planning?! Indeed, we leave very little to chance when doing these amazing show segments.
It’s always such a good giggle when the show host tries the cupcakes with their wine & beer pairings and gets that “a-ha” look on their face acknowledging they taste the magic. I LOVE creating that moment.
Working with producer Janine & show host Tina Trinh at ABC World News Now was such fun and they were a delight to work with. Although they couldn’t try the alcohol on camera, I convinced them to take a sip and a bite afterward, guilting them with the fact that we were just going to sadly throw everything out after they left! They loved the pairings, and I received lovely emails afterward about the filming.
Yesterday we dropped off cupcakes to ABC’s studios so that on-air show hosts Reena Ninan and TJ Holmes could enjoy them during the segment that aired early this morning. I’m eternally grateful to ABC World News Now for choosing Sweet Revenge for their Insomniac Kitchen show today.
Celebrate National Cupcake Day today December 15th by joining me for our outrageous cupcake, wine & beer pairings! I think every day should be celebrated with a cupcake, and a wine or beer pairing of course :))!
WATCH THE ABC WORLD NEWS NOW SEGMENT!
cheers,
Marlo
