Chef Benny Rivera has had the pleasure of appearing on popular shows such as The Food Network Challenge and Foodtastic on Disney+. These appearances have allowed Chef Benny Rivera to showcase his expertise and personality, and also displayed the skills he posses as an artist who works with edible mediums.
In addition to television, Chef Benny Rivera has also been featured in renowned media publications and featured on various podcasts in both English and Spanish. Magazines such as Cake Masters Magazine and Dessert Professionals, and podcasts like Conexion Thalia have recognized Chef Benny Rivera's innovative approach to cake art, entrepreneurship and baking.
Stay tuned for more exciting TV appearances and media publications featuring Chef Benny Rivera! If you have any opportunities you would like Chef Benny to participate in, please contact us via the contact form!
TV APPEARANCES
FOODTASTIC // 2021
On a first-of-it's-kind show hosted by the multi-talented Keke Palmer, CITYCAKES founder Chef Benny Rivera worked as the technical judge alongside FLOURSHOP founder Amirah Kassim in this immersive series. This competition featured highly skilled food artists created extravagant scenes and larger-than-life sculptures, entirely made out of food.
BAKETOPIA // 2021
HBO Max's Baketopia is a competition where bakers fill their carts with unique ingredients to create trend-setting, delectable desserts in hopes of impressing Rosanna Pansino and her esteemed cake council. Chef Benny Rivera served as a judge on the series.
MACY'S CAKE SPECTACULAR // 2018
This was Chef Benny Rivera last competition show before transitioning into more of a consistent judge/host. Contestants participating in these series had the task of creating sculptures based on the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The show was hosted by Martha Stewart and judge by Buddy Valastro.
QUE NOCHE CON ANGELICA Y RAUL // 2017
This show was hosted by Raul Gonzalez and Angelica Vale. Chef Benny Rivera was invited as a special guest in one of the episodes to talk about his career and his achievements creating cake designs for celebrities.
RACHAEL RAY SHOW // 2013
City Cakes had a few special appearances on the Rachael Ray Show. In one instance, we created a custom Spaghetti & Meatball cake for Rachael, and custom Spaghetti & Meatball Cupcakes for the entire studio audience. In 2013, Chef Benny was invited as a guest to promote Halloween Wars from the Food Network and to create a sculpture on air using cake and pumpkin with dear friend and colleague Sue Beatrice from All Natural Arts.
FOOD NETWORK HALLOWEEN WARS // 2013, 2014
Chef Benny worked as a contestant on for consecutive seasons three and four on the famous series on Food Network. Teams of cake decorators, candy-makers and pumpkin carvers compete to see who can make the biggest, wildest and spookiest edible Halloween creations. Another adventure with our friend from All Natural Arts, Sue Beatrice.
TLC SECRET WEDDING // 2013
Chef Benny worked as the cake designer for this fun TLC show. Bride Sara thinks she is on a show about budget weddings, but it's all in good fun and a trick on her big day. SYTYCD's super hostess Cat Deeley conspires with Sara's family and friends to secretly upgrade her frugal affair to the wedding of her dreams!
TLC FABULOUS CAKES // 2013
Fabulous Cakes was a show on TLC / Discovery that went behind the scenes at some of America's top bakeries, with each episode featuring the creation of three extraordinary custom cakes. Top pastry chefs share share their tips and techniques as they conceive, construct and deliver cakes that go way beyond your every day dessert. We met our dear friend Kate Sullivan from Cake Power NYC.
FOOD NETWORK CHALLENGE // 2011
This was the very first cake competition show on the Food Network in North America. Chef Benny Rivera competed in The Smurfs Movie episode. Contestants were given the task of creating sculptures based on a scene from the movie within 8 hours.