By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
 |
| Dino and Cheryl Kartsonakis present their 24 Karrot Carrot Cake at Mr. Gilbertis. |
What does piano playing have to do with carrot cake? Probably not much unless the piano is being played by Grand Pianist Dino Kartsonakis and the carrot cake has been developed and “baked” by him with the same enthusiasm, commitment, and exacting quality evident in his piano playing.
Literally millions are familiar with Dino’s piano playing virtuosity. For over a decade visitors to Branson have had the opportunity to experience not only the wonder of his piano playing skills, but his showmanship, commitment to his family and his Lord, and that special synergy exiting between Dino and his wife Cheryl as they perform together. It is an experience that has been shared with the world as they travel in the off season performing and appearing on T.V. in shows such as the “Dino Show” on the Trinity Broadcasting network and numerous others.
What most people are not familiar with, however, is Dino’s love for cooking. That love has its roots in his child hood and a dad who was a chef in New York City. Dino said, “Dad would share his ideas on how to combine ingredients that give the food such amazing moistness and flavor.” It is that fondness for cooking that led to the development of Dino’s signature cake, the “24 Karrot Carrot Cake.”
Although the recipe for the cake is secret Dino said, “I started with a basic recipe and started changing some things and adding a little more of this or that.” The end result was a carrot cake that people simply loved, even people who didn’t normally like carrot cake. After sharing the cake with family and friends for years and getting encouragement and advice from Wayne and Sue Gilberti of Gilberti’s Pizza on Acacia Club Road in Hollister, Cheryl and Dino decided to take the next big step and market not only the carrot cake but a full line of cakes from recipes that they had developed. The result is a line of cakes branded “Dino’s Karrot Cakes” consisting of their signature Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Coconut Cake, Italian Crème Cake, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Strawberry Cake and Petit Fours.
As with the production quality of their show, they wanted to maintain control over the quality of the total process so that the end product gave their customers the experience they wanted them to have. Rather than sub contract the cake out to a commercial bakery, they decided to get personally involved and control the process from beginning to end. As a result they purchased the bakery, formerly known as “Chuck’s Bakery,” at 12 Downing Street in historic downtown Hollister.
Although the name of the bakery has been changed to “Dino’s 24 Karrot Bakery,” they retained the services and expertise of Chuck Braum, the former owner, to be their Head Baker. Jerry Spicer will manage the total operation including the retail portion of the bakery and the wholesale and internet marketing of the entire line of Dino’s 24 Karrot Cakes.
Speaking from personal experience, the Ole Seagull can testify that the 24 Karrot Carrot Cake is one of the best carrot cakes he has ever tasted. Its flavor, texture, and moistness are just what he loves in a cake, its sweetness is balanced and not over powering, and there’s just something about that frosting. He can also testify from personal experience that Dino’s Italian Cream Cake is a creamy tantalizing treat for the taste buds. There is truly, “Delight in every bite.”
Although it is anticipated that a large part of the sales of the 24 Karrot Cake line will be whole sale and over the internet, Dino and Cheryl have expanded the bakery to not only provide plenty of baking space but a pleasant retail environment where people can come in and either purchase a whole cake or enjoy just a piece of cake or a petit four and coffee on the premises. Dino’s 24 Karrot Bakery is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached by phone at 417-239-2822.
Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent.
