Meet Grace “grey” Pak | Owner & Cake Artist, Duchess of Cameron

We had the good fortune of connecting with Grace “grey” Pak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace “Grey”, how do you define success?
For me, success transcends the conventional metrics of profit margins and brand visibility, though those are certainly relevant considerations. True fulfillment lies in a far more nuanced and, dare I say, profound metric: how many smiles can I create?

In the summer of 2022, I was invited to Madrid, Spain, to teach and film an online Cake Painting Course through Domestika. Weeks after the course launch, I was looking at the number of students who had enrolled in the course and wondered, how many smiles can one cake create? Consider the inherent nature of cake. Cakes, especially those meticulously crafted and decorated, are rarely enjoyed alone. They are emblems of celebration, the focal point of gatherings, big or small. Consequently, imparting the art of cake decorating is not merely the sharing of a technical skill; I’m equipping others to create more smiles. Each student I guide becomes a conduit for joy, their creations rippling outward to touch countless lives with a touch of sweetness and artistry. This is an exponential impact – the power of shared experience.

My vision is anchored in this philosophy of dissemination. Disseminating the aesthetic beauty of a thoughtfully designed cake, the sensory pleasure of a deliciously balanced recipe, and, crucially, the knowledge that empowers others to experience the intrinsic satisfaction of creation. It is about enabling others to share their unique expressions, their personal experiences, and ultimately, their joy with the world. So, how do I gauge success? By the number of smiles created – rather directly or indirectly (which, I will, actually, never know!). And by the profound understanding that each smile possesses the potential to propagate, generating a cascade of happiness that far surpasses my individual capacity. That, to me, in its purest form, is the essence of true achievement.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artistic practice is fundamentally predicated on the principle of connection. It represents a confluence of my background in fine art, a tangential exploration of neuroscience, and the universally appealing medium of cake. This seemingly disparate combination, however, is precisely what distinguishes my work. I aspire not merely to create cakes, but rather to curate edible art experiences that resonate on a deeper level.

My professional trajectory has been anything but linear. I did not emerge from a lineage of bakers. In fact, I came to cakes relatively late, around the age of 30. It was a risk, a real leap of faith, and a conscious departure from a more conventional path. After experiencing multiple losses in a short amount of time, I felt a compelling need to combine what provided me with daily fulfillment, as opposed to abstract, long-term security. Formal culinary training ensued, followed, remarkably, by my first television appearance mere weeks after graduation. A few years later, amidst the uncertainty of the early pandemic, I took another risk (a more physical one), to appear on my first major TV show. It was a chance to connect when so much of the world was isolated. These TV experiences, among others, provided a platform to disseminate my artistic vision.

My cakes transcend the status of mere decorative objects; they initiate conversations, serve as the focal point of celebrations, and engender shared experiences. As Ikuko Acosta, former Director of NYU’s Art Therapy Graduate Program, once shared, my art is unique in that the art literally becomes a part of you [when consumed]. It is a multisensory experience—sight, smell, taste, touch—all elevated, culminating in a truly memorable occasion. It is said that while guests may not remember the bride’s dress or floral arrangements at a wedding, they always remember the cake. This is a testament to the power of cakes, and it is precisely this type of enduring impression that I endeavor to create.

Philanthropic engagement is also an integral component of my personal and professional ethos. My husband and I firmly subscribe to the belief that “the best things earned are rooted first in generosity.” Consequently, both personally and through Duchess of Cameron, I dedicate time, expertise, and, naturally, cakes to non-profit organizations whose missions resonate with my values. It is about leveraging my artistic abilities to effect positive change, to connect with the community, and to spread and share joy.

For me, cake transcends the mere designation of dessert. It serves as a medium for connection, a conduit for bringing people together, for fostering smiles, and for constructing bridges. It is a means of communication, a way to reach out, to unify. It is the vehicle for my overarching mission: to cultivate meaningful experiences and to disseminate smiles, one exquisite, artistic cake at a time. Duchess of Cameron is not simply a commercial enterprise; it is an extension of my profound passion for art, connection, and philanthropic engagement. It is a reflection of my conviction that even the most seemingly modest creative endeavor can exert a significant and lasting influence.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Eat
– BRUTO
– The Wolf’s Tailor
– Wildflower
– Mezcaleria Alma

Drink
– B&GC Denver
– Union Lodge No. 1
– The Tatarian
– Yacht Club

Visit/Hang Out/Activities
– Snowshoeing and skiing in the colder months, horseback riding in the warmer months! (And there are SO many options for all three!)
– Drinking homemade hot cocoa and relaxing by our backyard fire pit
– Researching and trying out new restaurants, bars, and activities

Having said all that, I’m all about creating new shared memories with others, and for me, new shared experiences for all is always an amazing way to spend time, whether it’s trying to get our car out of the snow for 4 hours or winning free tickets to the most coveted concert. So this list could really boil down to “Anything new shared with old friends and new friends!”

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My number one supporter and partner in adventure – my husband – for his unwavering faith that pushed me beyond what I thought possible and illuminating our shared path with constant laughter

Website: https://www.duchessofcameron.com

Instagram: @duchessofcameron

Image Credits
Domestika, Duchess of Cameron, The United States Marine Corps, Passio Photography