Cake! magazine by Australian Cake Decorating Network August 2017 | Page 52

Rick Reichart
interview with
We ‘Lava’ Cake!
Written by Kellie Rudland
Combining textures, sculpting
techniques and pops of colour into
one cake design is not for the faint-
hearted. We caught up with Rick
Reichart, the creative brain behind
Vegas-based cake business,
cakelava.
You moved your business from Hawaii
to Las Vegas. Has your clientele
changed as a result? Do you find your
customers in Vegas have different
tastes to those in Hawaii?
Yes, we moved our business to Las
Vegas and one of the reasons for
me was to get more interesting and
edgy projects. There is a difference
in the customers as far as what they
are asking for. There are cultural
differences between Hawaii and the
rest of the mainland that play better
for our business here in Vegas in the
sense that people are more likely to
show off, spend more and have more
adult birthday celebrations. I really
enjoyed our customers in Hawaii and
getting the opportunity to design
Hawaiian themed cakes but as an
artist I also wanted more. Interestingly,
Las Vegas has a large population of
Hawaii expatriates and is known as
the ninth island of Hawaii. Because of
that I’m getting the best of both places
in terms of design opportunities.
As a husband and wife team, do you
have any tips on how to maintain a
great relationship while juggling the
demands of a successful business?
It would be a lie to say that it isn’t
difficult being married and working
together. A business does take a toll
on marriage because of the stress it
puts on us. A lot of people comment
that they couldn’t do it but I wouldn’t
have it any other way, it’s made our
bond stronger. Sasha is a remarkable
person that is very good at her part in
the business and especially good at
dealing with customers. I think the key
for us is that we are good friends and
have a lot in common. We both have