American Cancer Society, The Culinary Institute Of America And "Ace Of Cakes" Chef Duff Join Forces To Reinvent The Birthday Cake

When you think "My Birthday," think cancer. What could be cheerier?

"The American Cancer Society, the Official Sponsor of Birthdays, joined forces with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world's premier culinary college, to reinvent the birthday cake. Because healthy living is key to creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays, the Society and the CIA challenged CIA's baking and pastry students to create a better-for-you birthday cake. CIA Alumni and star of Food Network's TV's "Ace of Cakes" Chef Duff Goldman joined the Society and the CIA to select the winner, Alexandra Mudry's new take on red velvet cake, from a pool of five talented finalists. The winner is now the official birthday cake of the American Cancer Society."

What could possibly go wrong here?

"'Birthday cakes help people celebrate important milestones in meaningful ways. We see a significant opportunity to use the American Cancer Society's new official birthday cake to inspire people to stay well and lead healthier lives through simple lifestyle changes,' said Elizabeth T.H. Fontham, M.P.H, Dr.P.H., national volunteer president, American Cancer Society. 'Who better to help create a healthier birthday cake without sacrificing fun and flavor than The Culinary Institute of America and Chef Duff?'"

Who better indeed, than some fat chef.

Like this fellow.

An overweight guy making "healthy cakes."



Who, incidentally, has been getting bigger over the course of his show.

"The Society's official birthday cake is a healthier version of a red velvet cake that delivers plenty of taste but much less sugar and fat than a traditional recipe. In addition to cutting back on sugar, eggs, oil and butter, Mudry's inventive additions - including roasted beets, dried cherries, applesauce and whole grain flour - help kick the nutrients up a notch. The result: a better-for-you cake that tastes great and still has the fun, celebratory feel of a traditional birthday cake."

Clearly, I am all for weight loss for the overweight.

Clearly, I am all for fitness, and by extension, health.

But I gotta tell you, to me it is insane to take one day when you want to celebrate and associate it with the fun topic of cancer, expecting that it will make a difference the other 364 days of the non-leap year.

BTW, there is no proof that the once a year Cancer Cake actually makes an iota of difference in your health.

Which, arguably, is proof of my point.

Have a happy birthday.