What comes to mind when you think about cupcakes? Is it flavor combinations of chocolate and potato chips? What about Meyer lemon and mustard or chocolate with crispy onion buttercream? Are those the types of cupcakes you think of? Well you would if you were familiar with Chef Roman Blas and his creative and delicious dessert creations at Over the Rainbow Desserts.
Located in Palm Springs in the Smoke Tree Village shopping center, co-owners Chef Blas and Ken Kempka joined together to open this unique approach to an old-fashioned bakery and dessert shop focused on quality ingredients and creative desserts. The retail store opened in January 2012 to rave reviews and their popularity continues to grow.
Chef Blas’ journey to Palm Springs began in Atlanta where he graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. He then worked in top-rated restaurants and for well-known and innovative chefs, including Tyler Florence and Richard Blais, winner of the Bravo TV’s 2010 “Top Chef All-Stars” and southern Chef Joe Truex (Executive Chef legendary Watershed Restaurant Atlanta). Moving to the desert in 2007, Chef Blas joined the Indian Ridge Country Club in Palm Desert as their pastry chef. However, facing the challenge of seasonal employment encouraged Chef Blas to begin a catering business. He experienced immediate success with wedding, birthday and anniversary cakes and his dinner party menus became legendary while his reputation as a cupcake master grew. Soon the accolades, both nationally and locally, would follow.
His chocolate covered potato chip cupcake was chosen by Food and Wine Magazine as one of America’s most savory cupcakes and CNN's Living - America's Craziest Cupcakes. Chocolate Covered Jalapeno Cupcake was named as a "Sexiest Chocolate Desserts" in 2013 by Palm Springs Life Magazine. His “Loaded Bars” made of a caramel cookie crust, coconut, ganache, and chocolate pearls won The People’s Choice Award at the October 2011 Chocolate Affair in Palm Springs. The creation of the Chocolate Miso Caramel Crunch took First Place on the 2012 Fantasy Springs Cupcake Challenge and beat out all competing 30 bakeries.
Soon the Food Network started calling as did other media outlets such as CNN as well as radio and other publications. Chef Blas had been discovered!
Pastry Chef Roman - filmed and was featured on The Cooking Channel "Bite This with Nadia G" and created the Nachos Del Rey Cupcake!
Chef Blas creates 3 new recipes for The Food Network and films in July 2017. Will air later this year!
With a staff of six, Chef Blas makes all of his creative and innovative cupcakes, cakes, bars, tarts, pies and more from scratch daily. All ingredients used are the best on the market including artisan flour, the best chocolates, whole Madagascar vanilla beans, pure butter and no preservatives.
Chef Blas pours his heart and soul into each of his creations and he takes the needs of his customers seriously. He continues to innovate as he combines ingredients and strives for that perfect balance of sweet and savory in every bite.
Chef Roman filming with The Food Network July 2017
Chef Roman with Chef Nadia G. on the Cooking Channel "Bite This" with Nadia G.
