IMG 3549 scaled He made cakes for Madonna and Diana Ross - now he is sharing his baked goods with Birmingham — Cliff Simon, next to his lovely dead banana tree. (Sadie Sue Long / Bham Now).

Cliff Simon worked as a set design professor at UAB—but before that, he was an artist of cake making and decorating some beautiful cakes for some big names. Now, he uses his free time to decorate baked goods and give back to the community.

The Tale of Cliff Simon

Cliff Simon Chocolate cake — A Chocolate Torte by Cliff Simon (Sadie Sue Long / Bham Now)

I entered Cliff Simon’s beautiful home that was covered wall to wall with one-of-a-kind art to be offered coffee and cake, of course.

I left my interview with Cliff with so much more. I got the story of a brilliant artist, a chocolate torte to take home and a new friend.

Cliff, 72 now, comes from the Bronx in New York City. Growing up, he and his mother would bake all different kinds of pastries and baked goods. Cliff grew up knowing the importance of baking and how it has the power to bring people together.

“I got familiar with the kitchen being with my mother as she baked. I loved eating the cakes and cookies. I started learning how to bake from Julia Child cookbooks.

I started learning how to bake from her recipes and then other people’s. Then a little while after…I’d try a recipe and I would bring someone who I worked with a cake every day.”
Cliff Simon, Local Birmingham baker

Word of Cliff’s hobby got around town and soon enough, he was making specialty cakes for people performing in Radio City Music Hall.

Notable cakes for notable names

Madonna Cake — A cake Cliff Simon made for Madonna. (Cliff Simon)

When working catering at THE Radio City Music Hall, you are sure to brush elbows with some iconic celebrities. Cliff Simon did just that.

“This fabulous woman, Marcia Fox, had a catering business and was very successful. She got this gig at Radio City, doing the catering for all the backstage crew and talent. She called me up one day and asked if I wanted to make a cake for Linda Ronstadt’s pianist.”
Cliff Simon, Local Birmingham baker

After that, Cliff went on to make cakes for several big names, including:

Liberace
KISS
Ella Fitzgerald
Madonna
Chuck Jones
Malcom Forbes
Diana Ross

Fun fact: Cliff actually got to bake and decorate a wedding cake for Diana Ross. He said it was four-feet tall and served over 250 guests in Switzerland.

“I got a call to Diana Ross’s assistant, and I was in the shower, and my husband Julian says there’s a call from Diana Ross, and I said very funny.”
Cliff Simon, Local Birmingham baker

Giving Back to the Community

7CF46710 5FE1 4754 A988 0F0D3E39CD0C He made cakes for Madonna and Diana Ross - now he is sharing his baked goods with Birmingham — Cliff Simon demonstrates how he creates beautiful paintings on cakes. (Sadie Sue Long / Bham Now).

Cliff has had a life full of love, loss, laughter, and ups and downs. Nowadays he lives in Glen Iris with his husband Julian, enjoying the retired life.

Back in December, Cliff saw an opportunity to bring people together with his baking and started leaving a new cake out on his front porch every morning.

He tells his followers on Facebook about what cake he made and invites them to come and pick it up and take it home.

“I wanted to give cakes away to people with no strings. I love making the cakes, putting them outside and having people pick them up. Sometimes I meet them, sometimes I don’t.”
Cliff Simon, Local Birmingham Baker

You can check out Cliff’s Facebook and website for different inquiries and to learn more about the cakes he has made for wonderful causes, such as Kitchen Angels and Studio By The Tracks.

Want to read more local + heartwarming stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter today.