David Tamarkin

And yet the older I get, the more my birthday cakes look like something you would serve at a funeral.

And yet the older I get, the more my birthday cakes look like something you would serve at a funeral.

And I'm David Tamarkin, King Arthur's editorial director.

And I'm David Tamarkin, King Arthur's editorial director.

Never had one. Wouldn't that be sad?

Never had one. Wouldn't that be sad?

Like those big, those sheet cakes with white icing that's like almost like whipped cream. Very, very, very light, right? From the grocery store?

Like those big, those sheet cakes with white icing that's like almost like whipped cream. Very, very, very light, right? From the grocery store?

Very sugary. Light but gritty. But I'm into it. I can't lie. I mean, I'll eat it. Yeah.

Very sugary. Light but gritty. But I'm into it. I can't lie. I mean, I'll eat it. Yeah.

Yeah. My mom also made all my birthday cakes growing up. She didn't slip quarters into them because we were very choking hazard aware in my house. We had signs all over like what to do if you see someone... But when we were planning this episode, a different memory popped up for me. And it was one that I didn't even realize was still rattling around in my old brain.

Yeah. My mom also made all my birthday cakes growing up. She didn't slip quarters into them because we were very choking hazard aware in my house. We had signs all over like what to do if you see someone... But when we were planning this episode, a different memory popped up for me. And it was one that I didn't even realize was still rattling around in my old brain.

And it's the memory of the cake that my first boyfriend made for me when I turned 23 years old. I was just a baby. And it was straight from the cover of Gourmet Magazine. It was a classic yellow cake, chocolate frosting. And I remember going into his apartment. He didn't mention the cake. I saw it on the counter. He just kind of let me find it. And just the feeling of, wow, you made that for me?

And it's the memory of the cake that my first boyfriend made for me when I turned 23 years old. I was just a baby. And it was straight from the cover of Gourmet Magazine. It was a classic yellow cake, chocolate frosting. And I remember going into his apartment. He didn't mention the cake. I saw it on the counter. He just kind of let me find it. And just the feeling of, wow, you made that for me?

I was so touched. I mean, that is the power of a birthday cake. Now, listen, I've since found out that he makes that birthday cake for his current husband, which is... You weren't as special as you thought. Not great for my memories. Yeah, right. But whatever. I got it first.

I was so touched. I mean, that is the power of a birthday cake. Now, listen, I've since found out that he makes that birthday cake for his current husband, which is... You weren't as special as you thought. Not great for my memories. Yeah, right. But whatever. I got it first.

It had texture.

It had texture.

You and I agree on that. I'm sure we're going to get some emails advocating for the pie. I think even one of our producers of the show might be a pie for a birthday person. But we'll talk to you later, Rossi. Although I will say, I think you and I like similar birthday cakes, but there's a lot of reimagining of birthday cakes happening out there in the world. They're getting bigger.

You and I agree on that. I'm sure we're going to get some emails advocating for the pie. I think even one of our producers of the show might be a pie for a birthday person. But we'll talk to you later, Rossi. Although I will say, I think you and I like similar birthday cakes, but there's a lot of reimagining of birthday cakes happening out there in the world. They're getting bigger.