Elizabeth Schreckenberg

Growing up, Patty Jacoby was always trying to prove herself in the kitchen. With four brothers who made fun of her each time she botched a recipe, Pat made it her mission to show them she could produce tasty treats. Years later, she's relishing sweet success - and her brothers are eating their words.

Thirty-seven years ago, after getting married at 19, Pat took a cake decorating class to accomplish her goal.

"I always enjoyed arts and crafts," said Pat. "But making something impressive to show my brothers was also a big reason why."

Not only were her creations not too shabby; she started to enjoy baking and decorating. So out of her own kitchen, Pat began making cakes for friends and family. Through word of mouth, others started requesting them - so often that she started running out of space, particularly with children at home running through the kitchen.

"I had to decide if I wanted to stop all together, or open a business where I'd have more room," said Pat. "I decided to go for it."

In 1981, Pat rented a small building in Highland, named her business "Patty Cakes," and has been pleasing sweet tooths ever since. Today, with support from her family and help from her daughter, Leah, who recently acquired a degree in Baking and Pastry Art, she operates one of the most successful bakeries in the Metro East.

"We do 8-10 weddings per weekend, and birthdays and other special occasions throughout the week, including corporate events," said Pat. "No day at work is ever the same, and I love it."

They do weddings and events throughout the St. Louis area, and have even delivered a cake as far as Chicago. Pat already has weddings booked well into 2011.

So what sets Patty Cakes above the rest? Doing just a little extra than what customers request, said Pat.

"We talk about what they want, which colors, design, etc.," she said. "But I love to add something that will make it a little more than what they're expecting. Seeing their faces light up when they first see the final product is the very best part of my day."

Pat's creations are so extraordinary, in fact, that she's recently gained national attention for them. With the popularity of culinary networks soaring in the past few years, watching reality cake decorating shows has become a favorite pastime of many Americans. Fellow pastry artists and patrons of Patty Cakes nominated Pat to participate in some of the most popular programs.

In December of 2008, Pat traveled to the set of Food Network to compete in a Disney Classic Cakes contest, where she assisted in creating an impressive Snow White scene made of cake, complete with the Evil Queen and the Seven Dwarfs. It came in second place.

Then in July of 2009, Pat was asked to be a contestant on TLC's first season of Ultimate Cake Off. She and her assistants made a 4th of July scene in which an edible Uncle Sam barbecued burgers and hot dogs at a summer picnic. It won first place, and Pat came home with a cool $10,000 prize.

Last month, Pat and daughter Leah traveled back to L.A. to participate in Season 2 of Ultimate Cake Off. Pat can't disclose who won, but we'll find out on March 8th when TLC airs the show.

"It's so much fun," said Pat. "We watch these shows on TV all the time, so to be watching and see myself on a commercial or as a contestant - it's like a dream."

Since their appearance on the show, customers have been asking for more elaborate cakes than ever before, which Pat doesn't mind.

"They take more time to make, but I enjoy a challenge," she said.

Some frequent recent requests are tiered birthday cakes, corporate cakes that spell out the companies' line of work, and humorous groom cakes. For their future husbands, brides are having Pat make edible Iphones, Nintendo controllers and favorite adult beverages. When it comes to what she's made, the sky's the limit.

Pat has come a long way from that little girl in the kitchen back in the 50's and 60's. In her Highland showroom and on her web site are creations that a novice baker could only dream of concocting. She's convinced hundreds of customers and national audiences that she's one of the best in her business, but what about those pesky brothers of hers?

"I think I've proven my point."

Patty Cakes is located at 1018 Laurel, Highland, IL. Call 618-654-8180 or visit their website at www.pat–t–cakes.com