Known as the baddest boy who played in the NBA, Dennis Rodman showed the world that even he has a huge heart. Along with many others, I saw the speech on television and was moved as Mr. Rodman kept thanking and appreciating his fellow team mates, close friends, and especially his family. His accomplishments are what gave him fame, glory, and money.

He told it simply like it is: a show. He alluded to that what matters most in life are those closest to us who love us. From reading reactions to his speech, the public has embraced him. The many colorful hair styles, tattoos, the famous wedding dress he wore, and the many controversial relationships are all part of a “colorful” individual as he describes it.

However his personality, it is without question that being inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame will go down in history. Dennis Rodman along with his team mates won 5 NBA Championships and he won 7 Rebounding titles. I believe now anything Mr. Rodman does will be seen in different light and he will be treated with even more respect for his candor and humility.

On Thursday, September 1, 2011, I was lucky enough to get to meet the towering 6′ 8″ maverick for a third time. Being that my mother owns Ana Paz Cakes, we were asked to do his NBA Basketball Hall of Fame Cake to commemorate the event. I took on the project as I usually do the more complex Cake Designs which are planned to incorporate the recipient’s style and needs. There are some things I will keep secret, but read on and you will discover how this incredible centerpiece almost stole the show!

Dennis-Rodman's NBA Hall of Fame Cake by Ana Paz Cakes

My thoughts:

For this cake, I just knew it had to be taller than Dennis. He is one tall man and people find him magnetic as he walks by. It is truly a sight to see. When I saw him he was outfitted like a Rock Star: His jacket seemed to be feathery, the pants were pink, he was wearing a black cowboy hat, a silver tank top with a sash tied around his waist and a somewhat Gothic-style cross was hanging from his neck as a long necklace. Of course, I cannot leave out his shades. For me: Dennis Rodman is a walking work of Art. How was I to make a cake that would even be noticed when he is the master of attention- grabbing? Well, I sat down the night before to draw out what was to be the most unique cake I have ever designed and made.

A little birdie (Yevgeny Senkevich, who is totally dedicated to the sport of Basketball suggested I make the basketballs on the cake in GOLD!) You see, when Mr. Rodman won the NBA Championships, the trophy depicted a large, golden shiny basketball. What a wonderful suggestion! As I was trying to figure out which colors to place where, the gold directed me into a clearer path. Along with Dennis’ own friend, we both agreed it had to be elegant, yet show some of his personality.
Next, came making this cake and feeding 200 guests! The Cake Flavor is my mother’s special Vanilla Rum Cake recipe. All of the cake was eaten in just a matter of one hour and someone in particular came back for 5 pieces! I even had a piece and it was delicious. I should remind my readers that I have eaten this cake since I was born and I am soon to be 40 years old.

From the Base to the Top here is a description of what the cake had:

The Base had a banner which read: THE GREATEST REBOUNDER THAT EVER PLAYED THE GAME! It also had another banner strewn across diagonally which read: CONGRATULATIONS, MR. RODMAN. It also had about 14 Giant Sparklers which held a hanging row of Swarovski crystals around the enormous base. The separation between the cakes held 4 Mini-Basketballs in Gold holding up the upper portion. Around each Basketball where large Diamonds.

Dennis Rodman and his cake!

The Upper Half is where the two pieces where taken apart and placed together at the location. Its bottom most cake was painted Silver and I embedded shiny Gems into it. It had a cascade of fabric bows, fondant bows and large Diamonds. To counterbalance the assymetry, I added silver ribbon on the right side of this layer.

The Red Layer was very important as it had his Chicago Bulls #91 and his Detroit Pistons #10 and Red Feathers which rested on painted black abstract feather designs to show a little of Dennis’ personality in it. The numbers had a little bit of “bling” as well as supports.

The White on White Pearlized Diamond-Patterned Layer depicted his Pistons logo and it was delicately painted with a finishing touch of a single gold ball where the intersections of the Diamond Patterns met.

The Gold on Gold Striped Final Top Layer showed the Bulls logo and the entire cake was finished with a Large Golden Basketball on top replete with metallic decorations in Silver and Gold as its background and the logo on the basketball was the ultimate logo which any professional NBA Basketball player could ever hope to have: the BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME (Springfield, Massachusetts) .

I could not take my eyes off of the cake the entire night! I couldn’t believe I made it! I mean, I had done things like this before, but this one was special and I had complete artistic license. I would just watch people come and take pictures with it and see their faces. They were in awe! Dennis Rodman and his assistant Aj were most gracious in speaking with me and our staff and were very happy with the cake! Dennis even Tweeted about @AnaPazCakes.

I wish to thank our staff at Ana Paz Cakes, Aston “Aj” Bright, Teekay, Lucille Jimenez, Yevgeny Senkevich, Gayle, Gina, Tokyo Blue, Ocean Manor Hotel, and of course, Mr. Dennis Rodman. I know there are others and I will mention you in my next article which will be Part 2.

There is another article coming about the charity which Mr. Rodman supports, The Teen Board, and so much more! More pictures are coming! Please stay tuned!

–Cecilia Paz

www.dennisrodman.com

www.theteenboard.com