by Chris MacDonald
Writer/Photographer, HB Ambassador/The Local News Columnist

KTLA TV Weekend Morning News Anchor Chris Burrous recently made an appearance at The Cake Box Pastry Shop (6054 Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach). He came because I Invited him to do a "Burrous Bites" Segment, which is broadcast twice during his popular show, every Sunday morning. This was the first time Chris popped in on a pastry shop. The journalist usually visits unusual, local Southern California restaurants that viewers have told him about. He always meets the person inside, who recommended the quaint business, and they eat and critique the fabulous food.

While at the humble bakery, he realized Master Pastry Chef Paul Gauweiler, 75, not only bakes deserts for Disneyland's legendary Club 33 but was creating scrumptious items for contestants and judges at the famous American Idol TV show. Paul is known internationally for his 80-year-old, German-made, gas-flamed Baumkuchen (tree cake) machine, one of only three in the United States. The three foot long tree cakes, used in presidential parties, royal receptions, weddings and birthdays, are in much demand but he's the only one baking them west of the Mississippi River. Chris was fascinated by the 18 layers and different tastes inside the delicious delicacy that comes in glazed, fondant and chocolate flavors. In his shop, Paul often sells different portions of the cake or smaller bite size schmitzen.

Chris and I thought the tree cake was one of the tastiest deserts we've ever tried. Yum! You can order them at his business or online at cakeboxpastries.com. (714-842-9132)

You'll see why delightful, hard-working, impish-humored Paul is the toast of the coast. His tree cakes have been featured on Japanese TV as well as in The New Yorker Magazine. Here is a link to the fun segment that ran on KTLA. http://www.ktla.com. This gives you and idea on why this place is special to me and my family. Bon apetit!