Season 3 Episode 7: Paulette Goto, Polly Cooks and Eats

In this episode, I sit down with none other than Paulette Goto, a renowned pastry chef and creator of Polly Cooks and Eats. Paulette shares her fascinating journey, from her humble beginnings to her TV stardom and her love for provocative cakes. Let's dig in!

From Jehovah's Witness to Cake Creator

Paulette grew up in Utah as a Jehovah's Witness, an upbringing that eschews celebrations like birthdays. This lack of festivities strangely fueled her obsession with birthdays and cake-making.
"We couldn't even say the word birthday. We had to say the day we were born," Paulette recalls.

Her journey into cake making was further influenced by her mother’s hoarding tendencies and paranoid schizophrenia, which led to a complicated relationship with food. Paulette's passion for sweet treats and celebrations blossomed into her now-famous career creating cakes for every imaginable celebration.

Paulette's Culinary Journey and TV Fame

Starting her career in the prestigious kitchens of New York City's Le Cirque, Paulette's skills quickly earned her recognition. Her cakes have been featured in high-profile publications like Brides and New York Magazine's weddings. But it was her appearance on Netflix's "Somebody Feed Phil," Food Network, and Cooking Channel's "Unique Sweets" that really propelled her into the limelight.

What might surprise you is that her TV career began with an audition for a Food Network show via a Craigslist ad. Yes, you read that right—Craigslist. Though the show never saw the light of day, it opened doors to other opportunities, including "Unique Sweets."
"Unique Sweets started, and I flew around the country and ate dessert. It was ridiculous fun," Paulette says.

Embracing Authenticity and Cannabis Use

With time, Paulette leaned into her authentic self on social media, sharing her passion for cannabis alongside her cake creations. Her timing was strategic; she waited until her daughter was older to go public with it.
"As a teenage girl, the last thing you want is your mom making slutty cakes."
The gamble paid off. Her audience grew significantly, with fans from her 'Unique Sweets' days finding her new, unfiltered content refreshingly real.

Cake Decorating Tips and Tricks

When asked about her favorite piping tip, Paulette swiftly answers, "The rose tip."
Her insights aren’t just limited to decorations. Paulette also shares fascinating food origins. Did you know upside-down cake dates back to the Middle Ages? Or that the Dole family practically invented pineapple upside-down cake as a marketing tactic?

The Reality of Reality TV

Paulette has a love-hate relationship with reality TV. She rejected multiple invitations to audition for "Next Food Network Star," only agreeing after some nudging from her entertainment lawyer. However, she was wise about the associated pitfalls.
"Once you're on this show, you're pegged as that."
Ultimately, Paulette values privacy and quality over quantity. Being true to herself guides her choices, and she only participates in TV projects that feel right.

The Rise of Provocative Cakes

Combining her love for baking with her cheeky sense of humor, Paulette's cakes often feature risqué messages that make people laugh.
"None of my posts are ever mean. They have to be tongue-in-cheek and laughable."
Her approach has won her legions of fans who eagerly await her next hilariously decorated cake.

Writing Humorous Recipes

Paulette’s recipes are anything but dull. Sprinkled with humor, they offer a delightful reading experience. She adds funny quips and useful suggestions for what to do during the waiting periods in recipes.
“Now you need to let it rest. So go get a drink of wine, sit down, watch an episode of Bold and Beautiful if that’s your show.”
Her hilarious yet practical guidance makes her recipes a joy to follow, even for novices.

Connecting with Cake Decorators Worldwide

Instagram has allowed Paulette to connect with cake decorators from around the globe. From South Korea to South Atlanta, she has fostered genuine friendships by simply showing appreciation for others' work.
"The world got so small in cake decorating, and I have genuine friends all over."

Navigating Instagram’s Hidden Messages

A valuable lesson Paulette learned: always check hidden messages. You never know if a celebrity like Ilana Glazer is placing an order for her daughter's birthday cake!

The Joy of Vanilla Vanilla

Not everything needs to be avant-garde. Vanilla vanilla remains a crowd-pleaser, making it a safe bet for kids' parties, as evidenced by Ilana Glazer's cake requests.

Creative Cake Design Process

Paulette’s artistry doesn’t stop at baking; it extends to the cake's final look. She doesn’t sketch out her designs beforehand. Instead, she lets the color palette guide her creativity.
"I ask for three colors and what they want written on it. That’s it."
This approach keeps her work spontaneous and uniquely beautiful.

The Origins of Foods and Desserts

Paulette is a veritable encyclopedia on the history of food. Did you know wedding cakes are traditionally white because refined sugar was a luxury item? Or that chocolate chip cookies were a happy accident? Paulette’s curiosity and passion make these histories as delicious to learn about as the foods themselves.

Paulette Goto is a shining example of how embracing one's true self can lead to remarkable success. Whether it's through her provocative cakes, hilarious recipes, or her ability to connect with others, Paulette continues to charm and inspire.

For more of her delightful creations, follow her on Instagram @PollyCooks. And don’t forget to check out her upcoming TV appearances this holiday season.

You can watch each episode, in its video version, on YouTube here.
Follow on Instagram for some behind the scenes and short form content here.
Listen to each episode as a podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.