Duff Goldman: Biography
Duff Goldman is an American pastry chef, television personality, author, and entrepreneur best known for creating elaborate custom cakes and starring in Food Network’s Ace of Cakes. He is the founder of Charm City Cakes, a Baltimore bakery that became widely known through the reality series.
Goldman has also appeared in several Food Network competitions, including Holiday Baking Championship, Kids Baking Championship, Buddy vs. Duff, and Cake Masters. In 2026, he returned as a judge on Holiday Baking Championship and joined the judging team of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking.
Duff Goldman Quick Facts
- Full name: Jeffrey Adam Goldman
- Known as: Duff Goldman
- Date of birth: December 17, 1974
- Age: 51 years old as of November 2026
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Pastry chef, television personality, author, and entrepreneur
- Wife: Johnna Colbry
- Children: Josephine and Samurai Jack
- Education: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Culinary Institute of America
- Known for: Ace of Cakes, Holiday Baking Championship, and Buddy vs. Duff
- Business: Charm City Cakes
- Net worth: Not publicly verified
How Old Is Duff Goldman?
Duff Goldman is 51 years old. He was born on December 17, 1974, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The celebrity pastry chef celebrates his birthday on December 17 every year. He will turn 52 on December 17, 2026.
His birth name is Jeffrey Adam Goldman, but he is widely known by his nickname, Duff.
Duff Goldman Family and Early Life
Duff Goldman was born in Detroit, Michigan, to a Jewish family. He spent much of his childhood growing up in Northern Virginia and on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
His parents are Morrie Goldman and Jackie Winch. His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother played an important role in encouraging his creativity.
Goldman developed an interest in cooking at an early age. He has spoken about getting into the kitchen as a young child and experimenting with food before eventually turning his interest into a professional career.
He also developed an interest in art and music. These creative interests later influenced his unusual approach to cake decorating, which combines baking with sculpture, painting, and other artistic techniques.
Duff Goldman Education
Goldman attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where he studied history and philosophy. He earned a degree in East Asian history with a minor in ethics.
He later pursued professional culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California, where he completed a Baking and Pastry Arts program.
During his time in California, he also gained experience at The French Laundry, working in its pastry department.
His education combined academic studies with professional culinary training, helping him develop the skills that would later shape his career as a pastry chef and cake artist.
Duff Goldman Career
Duff Goldman is a pastry chef, television personality, cookbook author, and business owner. He became known for creating unusual and elaborate cakes that combine traditional baking techniques with artistic designs.
Starting His Culinary Career
Goldman’s interest in cooking began during childhood. He started working in professional kitchens as a teenager and later gained experience at several established restaurants and hotels.
After studying at UMBC, he trained at the Culinary Institute of America and worked at The French Laundry in California.
He also worked as an executive pastry chef at the Vail Cascade Hotel in Colorado and at Todd English’s Olives restaurant.
His experience in professional kitchens helped him develop the baking and pastry skills that would eventually lead to the creation of his own business.
Founding Charm City Cakes
In 2002, Goldman founded Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, Maryland. The bakery became known for its imaginative custom cakes, including creations featuring moving parts, unusual structures, and detailed artistic designs.
Rather than relying only on traditional cake decorators, Goldman built a creative team that included people with backgrounds in art, sculpture, painting, and other disciplines.
The bakery attracted attention for its unconventional approach to cake making. Its growing popularity eventually led to a television opportunity with Food Network.
Charm City Cakes remains closely associated with Goldman’s career and his reputation as an innovative cake artist.
Ace of Cakes
Goldman became widely recognized through Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, which followed him and his team at Charm City Cakes.
The series showcased the process of designing and creating elaborate cakes for customers, celebrities, and special events.
The show helped introduce Goldman’s distinctive cake designs to a wider audience and established him as one of the network’s recognizable pastry chefs.
Celebrity and Special-Event Cakes
Goldman and his team have created custom cakes for several high-profile clients and events.
One notable project was a cake made for President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013.
His work has also included cakes inspired by celebrities, entertainment projects, and major celebrations. These creations helped establish Charm City Cakes as a bakery known for ambitious and highly customized designs.
Duff Goldman TV Shows
Goldman has appeared in and hosted several television programs, particularly on Food Network. His work ranges from cake-design competitions to baking championships and cooking shows.
Some of his notable television appearances include:
- Ace of Cakes (2006–2011)
- Duff Till Dawn (2015)
- Kids Baking Championship
- Spring Baking Championship
- Worst Bakers in America
- Cake Masters (2016)
- Dessert Games
- Buddy vs. Duff (2019)
- Duff Takes the Cake (2019)
- Duff’s Happy Fun Bake Time (2021)
- Holiday Baking Championship
- Ace of Taste
He has also appeared on other television programs and cooking-related specials.
Buddy vs. Duff
Buddy vs. Duff is a Food Network competition featuring Goldman and fellow celebrity baker Buddy Valastro.
The two pastry chefs compete in challenges that test their creativity, technical abilities, and cake-making skills. Their creations often involve large structures, detailed decorations, and elaborate themes.
The competition brought together two well-known cake artists with different approaches to baking and design.
TrendzJoint also has an article about Buddy Valastro.
Holiday Baking Championship
Goldman is one of the judges on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship, a competition in which bakers create seasonal desserts and compete for the championship title.
The series premiered in 2014 and has featured different hosts, judges, and contestants over the years.
For Season 13, which premiered on November 2, 2026, Jesse Palmer returned as host. Goldman joined Kardea Brown and Molly Yeh on the judging panel as 12 bakers competed for the $25,000 grand prize.
Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking
In 2026, Goldman joined the judging team of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking for its third season.
The competition features cake artists and bakers creating elaborate showpieces inspired by the Harry Potter universe.
Goldman joins hosts James and Oliver Phelps and fellow judge Sarah Mountain for the season, which premieres on November 4, 2026.
Duff Goldman Books
Goldman has written cookbooks that share his baking techniques, recipes, and experiences as a professional pastry chef.
His published books include:
- Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes (2009), co-written with his brother Willie Goldman.
- Duff Bakes: Think and Bake Like a Pro at Home (2015), featuring recipes and baking techniques for home cooks.
- Super Good Baking for Kids (2020), a baking book designed to help children learn kitchen skills and make desserts.
Through his books, Goldman shares his interest in making baking creative and accessible to people with different levels of experience.
Who Is Duff Goldman’s Wife?
Duff Goldman is married to Johnna Colbry. The couple married on January 19, 2019, at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in California.
Their wedding took place beneath the museum’s dinosaur exhibits. The ceremony reflected Goldman’s playful personality and interest in unusual settings.
Goldman and Johnna have since built a family together and occasionally share moments from their lives on social media.
Duff Goldman Children
Duff Goldman and his wife, Johnna, have two children: a daughter named Josephine and a son named Samurai Jack.
Their first child, Josephine Frances Goldman, was born in January 2021. Goldman announced her arrival on social media, expressing his excitement about becoming a father.
The couple welcomed their second child, a son named Samurai Jack Goldman, on March 31, 2026. His arrival made Josephine a big sister.
Goldman has occasionally shared family moments with his children, including his experiences as a father.
Duff Goldman Height
Duff Goldman is listed at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) tall in entertainment databases.
What Is Duff Goldman’s Net Worth?
The Holiday Baking Championship judge, Goldman has an estimated net worth of $ 5 million. He earns income through his work as a pastry chef, television personality, cookbook author, and entrepreneur. His business, Charm City Cakes, and his television appearances have been important parts of his professional career.
Is Duff Goldman Still on Food Network?
Yes. Goldman remains involved in Food Network programming. In 2026, he is a judge on Holiday Baking Championship Season 13 and is also part of the judging team for Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking Season 3.
His television career continues alongside his work as a pastry chef and the founder of Charm City Cakes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Duff Goldman
What is Duff Goldman’s real name?
Duff Goldman’s real name is Jeffrey Adam Goldman. He is professionally known as Duff Goldman.
How old is Duff Goldman?
Duff Goldman is 51 years old as of November 2026. He was born on December 17, 1974.
Who is Duff Goldman’s wife?
Duff Goldman is married to Johnna Colbry. They married on January 19, 2019.
How many children does Duff Goldman have?
Duff Goldman has two children with his wife, Johnna: a daughter named Josephine and a son named Samurai Jack.
When was Duff Goldman’s son born?
His son, Samurai Jack Goldman, was born on March 31, 2026.
What is Duff Goldman famous for?
He is best known for founding Charm City Cakes and starring in Food Network’s Ace of Cakes. He has also appeared in Buddy vs. Duff, Cake Masters, and Holiday Baking Championship.
Does Duff Goldman own Charm City Cakes?
Yes. Goldman founded Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2002. The bakery is known for its custom cakes and creative designs.
