Ann Xu is a student and illustrator in Baltimore, Maryland, who loves cake, especially Taro Cream Cake. It’s what she had every year on her birthday growing up in northern California.

When she moved to Baltimore to attend art school, she soon realized that her cake was nowhere to be found so she decided to make it herself. From scratch.

CGTN’s Asieh Namdar’s love of sweets brought her to Charm City for a chat with Ann about family, tradition, illustrations, and of course, cake.

• Executive Producer: Monna Kashfi
• Producer: Kurt Gardinier
• Cinematography: Eric Courtney and Dan Criswell
• Video Editor: Brittany Hocker
• Graphics: Bemnet Goitom and Tian Lan