NOLA man wants to eat 150 king cakes in 6 weeks. See where he’s stopping on the MS Coast.
New Orleans resident Brendon Oldendorf was born and raised on king cake.
“I would typically have 10 to 20 a year at class parties, birthdays and special occasions,” he said.
This Mardi Gras season, Oldendorf will have more than he ever had in a single year. He’s started a quest to eat at least 150 king cakes from 100 bakeries by Fat Tuesday.
In addition to beating last year’s inaugural quest of 106 king cakes, Oldendorf’s goal is to see the offerings available beyond NOLA, visit new places and share the experience with his sons.
“I love how each bakery really makes their king cake with pride and many are so unique,” said Oldendorf. “I feel I see something I have never seen before each time I taste a new king cake.”
To complete his epic quest, Oldendorf will do more than run around willy nilly. He’s a man with a plan.
“I have reached out to bakeries letting them know I am coming, organized king cake tastings, attended key king cake functions,” he said. “I try to stay ahead of the game and do 25 per week.”
So far, the quest has been a piece of cake. Now in his second week of king cake bliss, the self-proclaimed “King of King Cake” has already sampled 68 cakes.
And his love for king cakes has not waned. “The quest makes me even appreciate the pastry more,” he said.
The Mississippi Coast will play a big part in pushing Oldendorf to his goal.
Oldendorf plans to spend February 1 eating at these MS Coast bakeries:
In Pascagoula: Anderson’s, Crazy B’s and Delicious Donuts
In Gautier: Founding Fathers
In Ocean Springs: Sugar Tribe, Tato Nut, French Kiss Pastries
In Biloxi: Le Bakery, Fantasy Donuts, Eletrick Maid, Cheeky Monkey
In Gulfport: Fleur de Lis, The Donut Shop, Quality Bakery, and Dolce Bakeshop
In Bay St. Louis: Beachside at Buoy’s, Serious Bread, Mockingbird
In Waveland: Sugar Pop and Susan’s Sassy Sweets
Did his majesty miss a spot? Email me at momoore@mcclatchy.com before February 1 and I’ll pass along the tip.
This story was originally published January 20, 2023 at 11:55 AM.
