In just a few weeks, the United States will mark its 250th birthday, with celebrations all across the country. But when cake artist Grace Pak started looking into it a few months ago, she realized the festivities were missing something crucial: a birthday cake! Now, she’s been tasked with making it. It’ll take a month to complete and include contributions from dozens of members of Congress. The final cake is supposed to be the size of a car. So how do you make such an ambitious confection? Grace tells me all about the process, then lets me try a sample. After that, I travel to our nation’s capital to see Rep. Tom Suozzi put his own decorative flair on the cake. Plus, we go behind the scenes on two collaborations for the Great Nosh summer picnic: a Jewish taco and an Indian bagel.

The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell.

Interstitial music in this episode by Black Label Music:

• "Back At It" by Bira
• "DeSplat" by Paul Fonfara
• "Summertime" by Billie and the Beat
• "Marimba Feels Good" by Stephen Sullivan
• "Birthday Party" by Kenneth J. Brahmstedt
• "Blowing Clover" by Kenneth J. Brahmstedt
• "Feel Real Good" by Will Van De Crommert
• "Intrepid Stratagem" by Stephen Sullivan
• "Trippin" by Erick Anderson
• "Pumpkin Face" by Jack Ventimiglia
• "Stacks" by Erick Anderson

Photo courtesy of Susannah Stevens.

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