Photo: Courtesy of Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Ron Ben-Israel
Ron Ben-Israel's Vanilla Cake with Pistachio and Apricot Buttercreams

What's your favorite baking trick?
Whip your egg whites—they make everything extra-light.

What was one of your most nerve-wracking kitchen experiences?
While decorating one of my first cakes my hands started shaking. I ended up covering the whole cake with icing squiggles, and it became a trend.

What's your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate bonbons from Jacques Torres—there are no negative ramifications from consuming chocolate.

What three things are always in your fridge?
Plugrá butter, organic eggs, and chicken bones for soup.

Besides baking, what are you passionate about?
Broadway shows and decorating my apartment.

Next: Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro's favorite cake design...