UPDATE 3/3/11 CATARINA SILVA is the lucky winner.  Please contact us at cloutandaboutATgmailDOTcom so we know where to mail your prize.  Congratulations and I hope you enjoy the book! Contest is now closed.

Out and About on Assignment: Kaye Cloutman and Lulu Del Rosario

The rainstorm and gloomy weather did not stop fans and admirers of internet sensation Bakerella a.k.a. Angie Dudley from attending her San Francisco book signing event at Chronicle Books last Saturday. Her cheery and warm demeanor was as comforting as a steaming cup of hot cocoa. With her golden blonde hair, adorable smile, voice and bright red blazer, it looked like the sun followed her wherever she went.

The staff of Chronicle Books including VP of Marketing Lisa Algar and Publicist Peter Perez was out in full force to support Bakerella and welcome the throng of fans, some of whom flew in just to see her. It was such a charming afternoon, from the budding little Bakerellas scattered all over the place to moms and bloggers who have followed her uber cute cake techniques through the years.

Bakerella with Chronicle Books Staff

Bakerella’s mom Sandy was also ready to capture the event as she assumed the role of official photographer of the day. Lulu and I were just her back-up cheerleaders “My daughter and I are like BFF’s” she happily said. “I love traveling with her and getting to know all the people who follow her blog because they’re all just the sweetest bunch of folks!” Sandy continued. As we observed her pleasant and comfortable aura during the whole course of the occasion, I couldn’t help but say to myself “we should all be so blessed…”. I certainly hope my daughter and I would achieve that kind of groovy bond when I get to her age.

Peter Perez , the “sweet tooth” fairy of the day, handed out wrapped salted caramel goodies from Miete Bakery to the attendees. They were soooo good we decided to go pay them a visit at the Ferry Building afterwards. It really was no wonder they have their own published book as well, by – guess who? Chronicle Books of course!

Miete Salted Caramels for everyone!

Perhaps that one factor which made the Bakerella event stand out for me was that aside from just the typical meet-greet-and-signing, she actually spoke and allowed each and everyone to sit down with her and discuss a bit about their baking issues and concerns. I felt that she sincerely wanted them to learn and have fun while doing it.

See photos from the event

I’m no baker but Bakerella definitely made it sound easy so I may just attempt to do my own cake pops for my son’s upcoming 4th birthday party. The book provides a clear and concise way to prepare them with tips and designs for every occasion. She also provides a directory of suppliers for basic cake decorating needs and suggestions on how to store, ship and display them in case the entrepreneurial bug bites you after.

About the Book

What’s cuter than a cupcake? A cake pop, of course! When baking blogger Bakerella decided to turn cake balls into cake pops, she had no idea she would soon create an international sensation (well, two international sensations – cake pops are now available all over the globe, and Bakerella herself has become wildly popular). Cute little cakes on a stick – from decorated balls to more ambitious shapes such as baby chicks, ice cream cones, and even cupcakes – these adorable creations are the perfect alternative to cake at any party or get-together. Martha Stewart loved the cupcake pops so much she had Bakerella appear on her show to demonstrate how to make them.

With Cake Pops, Bakerella makes it easy (use boxed cake mix – Bakerella does!) and fun to re-create these amazing treats right at home with clear step-by-step instructions and photos of more than 40 featured projects, as well as clever tips for presentation, decorating, dipping, coloring and melting chocolate, storing, shipping, and much more.

Discover the trick of mixing crumbled cake and frosting that can be molded into different shapes and decorated for any occasion, from timeless Koala Bears, Martians, and Burger Bites to seasonal treats like Spooky Witches, Yummy Mummies, Turkey Time, Hanukkah Pops and Cheery Christmas Trees. Packed with information, all delivered in Bakerella’s approachable, encouraging style (she knows first-hand that it doesn’t take formal training to create dazzling confections), Cake Pops is the perfect gift for crafty bakers, especially if that baker is you!

Watch our Interview

Win a Bakerella Package from us!

The Clout and About team has put together a special package and you can win some of these items too! (1) Send a picture link of your Bakerella-inspired creation. (2)   “LIKE” our page on FB and get a 2nd chance to win.  (3) Follow us on Twitter and RT our tweet “@CloutAndAbout and San Francisco loves @Bakerella! Watch the amazing coverage! http://bit.ly/fP7U9p Pls RT & win!” for your 3rd opportunity. We’re making it easy!

Package includes:

• Miete Almond Choco Brittle
• Miete Choco Bites
• Autographed copy of Bakerella’s Cake Pops Book
• Cake Pop’s Buttons

Contest winner will be announced on March 20.  Winner will be picked via Random.org.  Stay tuned to our website. We will have MUCH more to give away in future posts!