BEAUMONT, Texas — For a New Orleans man, achieving victory could be sweet but the road to get there would certainly be sweeter.
For two years, Brendon Oldendorf has traveled to 100 bakeries across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and his home state of Louisiana in search of the most delicious and unique king cakes around. Reflective of his goal, Oldendorf likes to be called the King Cake King.
“There are many King Cake Kings during the carnival season," Oldendorf said. "However, I'm specifically the King Cake King of king cakes, of tasting king cakes,"
Not only is the New Orleans man looking for the most delicious king cakes, he is also hoping to eat his way to a world record. Oldendorf hopes to go down in history and get his name into the Guinness World Records.
“I want to put the record out there of tasting the most king cakes during carnival time, and I want to make sure I go to at least 100 different bakeries," Oldendorf said.
Oldendorf can be seen wearing his signature jester hat and gold and purple cape as he travels to different bakeries during the Mardi Gras season. Some believe his mission is the perfect way to kick off the Mardi Gras.
The King Cake King had his first slice of the Mardi Gras-themed dessert when he was 5 years old. He has been fighting for the crown ever since.
"Last year, I tasted over 100 king cakes,” Oldendorf said. “Of course, I've been eating king cakes all my life in mass quantities. Of course, my goal this year is 150.”
The King Cake King has tasted multiple holiday-themed dishes, including seven-layer meat king cake. In Southeast Texas, bakeries like Rao's and Market Basket enticed Oldendorf with strawberry cream cheese and chocolate pudding flavors.
"New Orleans definitely has a one up on Texas with their king cake," Oldendorf said. "However, you do have some very good select bakeries here that could stand up in some competition."
Oldendorf said he rates king cakes on four different categories: presentation, icing, dough, and filling. His favorite type of king cake is lemon.
Also on 12NewsNow.com ...