HBO’s John Oliver Makes a Good Deal at Upstate New York Bakery Selling ‘John Oliver Cake Bears’
When HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver won the contents of a shuttered Red Lobster at an auction in upstate New York, it really burned the little ones breads from local bakery owner Eric Deising.
Deising, the owner of Deising’s Bakery and Restaurant in Kingston, told News 12 he left a recorded note at Red Lobster in Kingston seeking to purchase some of the equipment inside to upgrade his business.
On the June 2 episode of “Last Week Tonight,” Oliver announced that the show purchased the restaurant’s contents in a “winner takes all” auction. His team then rebuilt everything from the tables to the lobster tank inside his studio, and served the chain’s famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits to the public.
After the show aired, the local news broke about Deising’s request for equipment and his disappointment to learn that Oliver had bought it all. On the June 9 show, Oliver responded to Deising’s Bakery on-air. He said he had planned to “ignore all that” until he saw all the positive reviews about the nearly 60-year-old restaurant, including their 3D animal cakes for holidays and seasons.
HBO TV host John Oliver strikes a deal with an upstate New York bakery for his June 9 episode after Oliver wins kitchen equipment at an auction desired by the owner of the bakery. Screenshot from HBO MaxScreenshot from HBO Max
However, the animal pastry John Oliver coveted most was Deising’s adorable bear cakes, and he had a proposition for the Ulster County cafe.
“I have good news and bad news for you,” he said on air in Deising. “The bad news is that we have already donated the Red Lobster cooking equipment. And even if it didn’t, it didn’t have the 36-inch flat top oven/grill or kitchen convection oven you were looking for. The good news is that we are willing to purchase these items for you on one condition. All I want in return is a pastry with my face on it for sale at your bakery, specifically a bear cake with my face on it. I want to be a cake bear.
He also added that he hoped the bear would have a stuffed animal, but as long as he fit the general description of “John Oliver Cake Bear” he would be happy.
And just like the original note Deising taped to the door of Red Lobster, John Oliver’s team taped a handwritten note to the bakery that read, “We have the equipment you’re looking for.” Please contact us” along with an email address.
HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver struck a deal with Deising’s Bakery & Restaurant in Ulster County: He would bake them a cake in his likeness and buy them new restaurant equipment and The local establishment would rise to the occasion. Deising Bakery | Photo providedDeising Bakery | Photo provided
“The bear is in your yard… Make me a bear cake.” I want to be a cake bear,” Oliver said at the end of the episode.
Deising’s rose to the occasion and created bear cakes the next morning with printed cutouts of John Oliver’s face, posting on its Facebook page, saying: “Challenge accepted last week Tonight with John Oliver, your special bear cake is in the oven and will be prepared today. ! »
HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver struck a deal with Deising’s Bakery & Restaurant in Ulster County: He would bake them a cake in his likeness and buy them new restaurant equipment and The local establishment would rise to the occasion. Deising Bakery | Photo providedDeising Bakery | Photo provided
According to the Times Union, they sold their first batch of mini bears at 11:30 a.m. on June 10.
John Oliver Cake Bears feature a cream-filled chocolate cake served on a “forest” of cream and greens. They will be sold through Father’s Day on Sunday, June 16 at $8 each, with proceeds going to People’s Place, a local food pantry, thrift store and community cafe.
HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver struck a deal with Deising’s Bakery & Restaurant in Ulster County: He would bake them a cake in his likeness and buy them new restaurant equipment and The local establishment would rise to the occasion. Deising Bakery | Photo providedDeising Bakery | Photo provided
Those with an HBO or Max login can watch both episodes on Red Lobster and John Oliver’s Challenge to Deising’s Bakery and Restaurant, on the HBO website.
