DSM celebrity baker Andrew Fuller is reaching new heights
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Andrew Fuller. Photo: Courtesy of Food Network
This is Andrew Fuller's era — and not just because he's Halloween-maxxing 24/7.
Why it matters: The Des Moines celebrity baker is blowing up with appearances on two Food Network shows this fall and serving as living proof that if you're authentically yourself, good things happen.
How it started: Fuller broke out as a made-for-TV star when he competed and won the first season of "Is It Cake?" on Netflix in 2022.
- Since then, his talent for baking outrageously realistic cakes has landed him on Food Network competitions and speaking appearances around the world.
- But eventually his management told him to no longer be a TV competitor and to rise to a judge role. Then last year, he got a call from Food Network to be a judge on the "holy grail" of cake shows: "Halloween Wars."
- "Whether I'm on it or not, it's the best. But now that I'm on it, it's even better, let's just be real," Fuller jokes.
Since then, things have really taken off for Fuller, including an appearance on another Food Network show, "Sweet Deceit" with Josh Peck.
Yes, but: With elevated stardom comes more public attention and scrutiny.
- He stays off Reddit and doesn't read online comments. And despite being proudly queer and green-haired in the middle of the Midwest, the negative messages still bother him.
- "No matter how thick of a skin you might think you have, it is so true not to read the comments," Fuller says. "I'm kind of in this place now where I have to protect myself a little bit for my mental health."
The big picture: Still, Fuller says he's OK with representing "a big thing that a lot of people hate." He can't be anything other than himself — and that's paying off, not only for his career, but also through helping Iowa youth feel OK being "weird."
- "I'm heading in this direction where I'm being rewarded for being myself," he says. "I would feel like a fraud if I did anything else."
What's next: Fuller still lives in Des Moines, though with the increase in work outside the state, he expects to move at some point.
- When that time comes, he says, Iowa will still be his home, as well as where his mom and husband's family live.
- "Des Moines is a city that really celebrates anyone who has made something of their life here," he says.
We asked Fuller some of his Des Moines takes:
🍭 Beggars' Night or Halloween: "I feel like the obvious answer has to be: I'm pro-Beggars' Night."
- He says you get "more Halloween," similar to how there's Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
🍔 Favorite food spots: Centro, Zombie Burger, Black Cat Ice Cream and A Dong.
🫘 Favorite ingredient: Tonka beans.
- They're illegal to sell in the U.S. because consuming a large amount can be poisonous.
- Fuller says he shaves a small amount for his coffee and cake batters for a vanilla flavor at home.
- "Once you've had it in something, you can't take your mind off of it," he says.
📺 If you watch: The next episode of "Halloween Wars" airs Sunday at 8pm on Food Network, and the next day on HBO Max.