. . . " m y   p a s s i o n   i s   r o s e   l e v y   b e r a n b a u m ". . . hector has been baking his own birthday cakes since age 8.  in 1989, hector started his training with the Cake Bible, written by master baker Rose Levy Beranbaum.  several interesting cakes were made since then.  in 2006, hector became Rose's apprentice; he has been featured at www.realbakingwithrose.com numerous times.  hector lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.

hector kindly requests placing your cake order 1 month in advance, 3 months is preferred.  all cakes are made to order and by hand.  hector doesn't use emulsifiers or chemicals so frequently present in commercial bakeries.  all glazes, frostings, jams, fillings and fruit purees are home made.  time is needed to start a good cake by sourcing the ingredients from the best places:  whole macadamia nuts from small local farmers, baking with macadamia nut oil instead of lower vegetable oils, chocolate grown by small artisan farmers, Hawaiian vanilla beans, ILLY and Molokai coffee, etc.  hector's also exports Hawaiian flowers.

hector holds degrees in arts, biology, and information systems.  hector has done research in agronomy, black and white photography, and food history.

click here for my autobiography

Gladys in Waikele "SKY IS THE LIMIT for my brother's creativity! at the beginning, he asked me for help... and i truly tought this cake was impossible to achieve. i should have known better and should always remember that there is no stop to hector's creativity when he dedicates his mind, heart and soul to any project inside his yellow kitchen!  Now, you all, wait to see what he will come up with for his niece josephine's 7th birthday cake!"

Sara from Enchanted Lakes "ace of cakes! the best chocolate cake i have EVER eaten! ganache filling with dozens of vanilla bean pods surrounding the three layers. ridiculously good.  summed up beautifully!  i am forever spoiled by your hawaiian chocolate ganache cake. i cried when i got down to the last piece and the last bite?  it was emotional! if you ever make something like that again i want a slice.  i will drive to maui to get it!  underwater!

Pam and Bob from Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory"You CAN cut a cake as amazing as this one.  how did you get that incredible shine on the chocolate?  hope it was as delicious as beautiful. you have done a most wonderful thing. we've never been so intrigued by the process and the results. cake is such an ordinary word for your incredible creation. we had ours last night and it was sooooo wonderful.  it actually tasted like our chocolate!  that may seem strange to you, but most people put stuff in it to make it "better" i guess.  we are so proud of what you -built- chocolate is aloha!"

Reeni Espino in New York "long ago i was pastry sous chef of the new york roy's (now closed) and tried sooo hard to get hawaiian chocolate; I think that producer went out of business? so glad that someone else has forayed into the market that is somewhat controlled by big ivory coast (with attendant human rights issues) and south american growers. it is a dream of mine to have a cacao plantation in my homeland, the philippines, and produce world-class chocolate. hope the coopers' chocolate will soon be successful nationwide! congratulations hector on approaching Cake Day with so much accomplished. i am a bit jealous because i never have that many friends eager to help me with big projects!"

Suzanne Shriner from Lions Gate Farms "wow!  truly a gorgeous cake.  i am impressed.  thanks for the pics"

Charlie Chan from Architects Hawaii "there is no question in my mind that the 'chocolate pine cone' cake is the best. Keep up the good work."

Elaine in Vancouver "that is an absolutely splendid post...friends came by and we raved about your work.  thanks for always making my day brighter with your efforts and work. i continue to feel as lucky as I did the day you agreed to bake our wedding cake. You continue to produce cakes of perfection, hector style"

Margaret in Hilo:  "cool! you are VERY talented!"

John in New Hampshire "okay we had your cake and let me just quote Dena, the kids and myself: oh my god this is heaven. she did say she took it out according to your instructions and let it get to room temp. tt was sooooo goood. the icing was as my wife said was like fine silk and the taste was unbelievably rich and delicate at the same time all the flavors blended perfectly"

Katia in Miami "ya recibi hoy la torta, se ve super. que RICA torta!!! nunca habia probado macadamia sin sal o sin chocolate.  muy ricos y la crema me gusto mucho tambien. el keke estuvo muy bueno, con consistencia, no muy denso pero no muy crumbly. yo a veces hago keke de platano cuando ya estan muy maduros pero la consistencia es diferente, mas suave, no creo que apto para rellenar. estuvo RIQUISIMO!! me gusto mucho la crema de maracuya y las macadamias, hmm"

Luca in Hilo "thanks for the cake!!!!!  looking forward to have breakfast with it tomorrow. and for your info: the cake arrived still cold. not hard frozen, but definitely cold"

Katie in Manoa "I am the very lucky lady who received hector's fabulous Rose World Cake on my 50th birthday! can you imagine how I felt seeing the cake for the first time... and knowing all my friends were going to enjoy tasting it with me? it was a WOW moment. many people told me that seeing me standing by the blue world cake was their favorite image of the party. a piece of a mango passion continent. yummy...i was in heaven...over the earth-world cake. hector is the ultimate cake baker; he is creative, and totally passionate about his work!"

Katty in Kaimuki "hector is amazing with his baking talents! i was there when the idea for a world cake with mango tarts as the continents and cupcakes with blue buttercream (eeek!) for the ocean was being discussed. i must say, i couldn't picture it. i thought for sure that hector had just done himself in. no way this will be produced in hector's usual elegant style. i saw him struggle through weeks of test baking the coconut crust, trying to make the correct shapes. i admit, i had my doubts. when i saw the final product, i was completely astonished! a cake like this has definitely never been done before. it tasted great too! hector's buttercream is the best. it just melted in my mouth leaving the scent of a fruity/floral combination. yum!"

"wish you were all there. it was as good as it looks! as a chocolate fanatic, i'm happy to say i got to eat it twice! I REALLY think hector made it for ME!!"

Scott in Portland "hector...i'm so glad i could be there to witness (and taste!) this masterpiece! i even got to help light the candles! mmm...mmm...it was out of this world"

Jay in Waikiki "this was the best cake ever! rich, yet very delicious. i was amazed at the white chocolate inside. this cake confirms hector as summa cum laude in this cake bible graduation"

Lorraine and Irene in Palm Springs "you caramel vanilla buttercream is delicious, you are ready, go for it"

Monica in Lima "guau!!! es espectacular!! un super trabajo de filigrana...eres un artista. buscar un trabajo? creo que deberias ofrecer tu arte a los demas..."

Natalie in Makiki "i had a slice and really enjoyed the banana flavor and the fine texture of the cake.  i've never heard of Navan liqueur but I thought it was a nice addition to your fabulous buttercream"

Deanna in Kapahulu "the passion fruit mousseline was just incredible! there was a balance between the banana (cake) and passion fruit flavors, one did not overpower the other. i'm one of the people who just cannot stand bakery frosting; it is just overly sweet with no true flavor. my habit is to scrape off most of the frosting before eating cake - not true for hector's cake. i had make sure i had some frosting with each forkful of cake. it was that good"

"this cake was so beautiful and delicious! my 7 year old daughter, jade, was lucky enough to also taste the yellow rose and the beautiful/realistic chocolate leaves. she definitely knows a good thing!

Emily in Salt Lake "i am a little biased (since it was my shower), but that was the best chocolate cake i have tasted! did you see the host eating 3 slices? the cake was perfect"

Rebecca the dishwasher  "i didn't get a chance to gush over your cake yesterday, but let me take the time to gush now. it was an incredible and delectable work of art.  you are amazing and i thank you so much for not only making the cake, but making it far beyond our hopes for it. the dishwasher, rebecca"