We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ricky Gudino a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ricky, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I hope my legacy feels like a mix between a perfectly balanced buttercream—sweet, bold, and just the right amount of extra. I want to be remembered as someone who made life more fun, more flavorful, and a little more fabulous.
Yes, I made cakes—but I hope people say I made moments. That I turned birthdays into magic, weddings into centerfolds, and random Tuesdays into something worth posting about. That I built a brand that wasn’t afraid to be loud, glittery, or different—and that in doing so, gave other people permission to do the same.
I also hope people remember how I showed up for others. Whether it was for a chemo milestone, a community event, or a team member who needed a little push—I want to be known as someone who cared, who created space for others to be themselves, and who always led with heart (and maybe a little fondant).
At the end of the day, I don’t need a statue. But if someone says, “They made things feel special—and they made people feel seen,” that’s more than enough for me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! I’m Ricardo Gudino, owner and creative director of Caked Las Vegas—a luxury cake studio known for bold, highly custom designs that are as unforgettable as the celebrations they’re part of. While most people are surprised to learn this, I actually attended culinary school and am a technically trained chef. That foundation gave me the skills to explore food as an artistic medium, which eventually led me to discover my love for sugar work, sculpting, and cake design.
Caked Las Vegas specializes in high-end custom cakes and interactive dessert experiences for weddings, corporate events, and over-the-top celebrations—but we truly offer something great for everyone. Whether you’re planning an intimate birthday, a lavish wedding, or just want to surprise someone with a cake that has serious personality, we bring the same creativity and care to every project, big or small.
Our offerings range from tiered statement cakes and sculpted showpieces to immersive dessert stations, edible installations, and even cakes that roll through the room. Think: sparkle, wow factor, and a touch of sass.
One of the biggest ways Caked breaks from the industry standard is by treating cake not just as a dessert, but as a branded experience. Most bakeries focus solely on flavor or tradition—we lean into storytelling, style, and spectacle. Our cakes are designed to be photographed, remembered, and talked about just as much as they are to be eaten. That might sound bold, but we’re in Las Vegas. We don’t just do buttercream roses—we do glitter, sculpted fondant details, and concepts that feel more like fashion statements than pastries.
We also made a conscious choice to build a strong, recognizable brand—something not often prioritized in this space. From our tone of voice to our packaging, we wanted Caked to feel like a lifestyle, not just a bakery. People don’t just come to us for cake—they come for the Caked experience.
One of my favorite examples: we once had a couple fly in from out of state just for a tasting because they “wanted a cake that matched their personalities, not just their colors.” They had seen one of our more over-the-top wedding cakes online and said it felt like “if their love story had a flavor.” That moment reminded me why veering off the traditional path gives people the freedom to have more fun—and to feel seen in the details.
We work closely with top planners, resorts, and venues across Las Vegas, and I take a lot of pride in the trust we’ve earned in this industry. Whether it’s a wedding for 200 or a birthday with a custom cake cart experience, we aim to leave guests saying, “That was different. That was special.”
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built—the clients who return year after year, the planners who believe in us, and the team behind the scenes who puts their heart into every detail. My goal with Caked has never been to be the biggest—it’s to be the most creative, the most personal, and the most fun.
If you’re looking for a bakery that just “makes cakes,” we may not be the right fit. But if you’re looking for something memorable, bold, and undeniably you, we’d love to make magic together.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One moment that stands out happened early in Caked’s journey—right when we were gaining momentum. I had just invested in custom packaging, branding upgrades, and new equipment when a major event cancellation pulled the rug out from under us. It was one of those moments where you question everything: Did I scale too soon? Is this sustainable? Can I make it through this?
Instead of retreating, I leaned in. I doubled down on the client experience, sharpened our design process, and started saying yes to bold, unconventional projects others might have turned down. That mindset shift led to some of our most memorable cakes—and ultimately helped us carve out a unique identity in the industry.
Resilience, for me, has meant adapting without losing the heart of why we do this. It’s meant staying creative under pressure, turning setbacks into opportunities, and remembering that even when things feel uncertain, people still want joy, celebration, and cake.
That season pushed me to grow—not just as a business owner, but as a creative and a leader. And it reminded me that challenges don’t block the path—they are the path.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
My biggest advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale? Lead with clarity, creativity, and care—and build a culture where people feel safe to show up as themselves.
Creating an inclusive workplace starts with intention—being mindful about who’s at the table, who feels heard, and who gets the space to grow. In a creative, fast-paced environment like ours, it’s easy to prioritize speed or skill over culture. But the energy behind the scenes always shows up in the final product. If people don’t feel safe, seen, or valued, it impacts everything—from morale to creativity.
At Caked, we’ve built a space where individuality is celebrated—whether that shows up in someone’s background, self-expression, or approach to design. The more seen and comfortable someone feels, the more they flourish—and the better they perform. I’ve worked in environments where people felt like they had to tone themselves down to fit in, and I knew I never wanted that culture here. One of our team members once told me how meaningful it was to finally work somewhere they felt embraced, not just accepted. That moment stuck with me.
We keep things fast-paced and fun, but we’re also intentional. We check in, celebrate the wins (big and small), and encourage collaboration. When your team understands the why behind what they’re doing—and feels empowered to bring their full self into the work—they show up with more pride, more purpose, and a lot more magic.
My advice? Build a workplace where creativity has room to breathe, and inclusion is the foundation—not an afterthought. The excellence will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cakedbakery.com
- Instagram: @cakedlasvegas
Image Credits
@jamieyphotgraphy, @altfphotgraphy, @nicolehernandezphotgraphy, @electricsugarelopements