Checking in with...Dan Byers:

Father’s Day is this Sunday so who better to check in with than Dan Byers, the founder of Newport Beach-based Daddy Cakes pancake mix?

What makes Daddy Cakes special?

Flavor. Our mixes have a simple and balanced flavor that creates a light and fluffy pancake or waffle. Pancakes and waffles are the most obvious foods to make with our mixes, but they are a great building block for a wide variety of easy-to-prepare foods, including muffins, cakes, cobblers, brownies and so much more. Plus, there aren’t very many products that are as much fun as ours — anyone who looks at our packaging or website can attest to that — but the fact that we boast a line of organic and vegan products really makes us unique. Of course, the proof is in the pudding — er batter, I should say! In the past year, we went from being available in a handful of retail locations to more than 45 stores nationwide, including being picked up by Amazon! I think we’re doing something right.

Father’s Day is really your holiday, any special plans to celebrate with your family?

On Saturday, I get to prepare breakfast for a group of hungry dads at the Whole Foods Market in Tustin! As with everything we do, it’s all about family, so although “Dad eats free,” they can bring their entire family and everyone else pays only $5, and we are giving all the proceeds to a local food bank in the area. With the current economic climate, there are many dads out there who can use some help just putting food on the table right now, so we are doing a little bit to help them on that day and also for days after, since so many will benefit from our food bank donation. As for me, I’m taking my boys to the park and playing with them, then enjoying a nice dinner with my wife because without her, there wouldn’t be much of a chance for me to celebrate this day.

You are asked to cater “I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here,” what would you serve each of the following for breakfast?

 Flavor Flav: Criminal Chocolate Chip Blondies — it would take him back to when his dad had a diner, gloss over his time in prison, and make time fly just like those big clocks he wears around his neck. It would also give him a reason to call out his famous stage call of “Yeah, boyeee!”

 Jon & Kate: Are we talking about “Jon & Kate Plus 8?” With the little sextuplets, they are probably ready for our delicious Blueberry Bonanza Blast Sausage-Stuffed Pancakes. Since blueberries are a “super food” and we use real wild Maine blueberries that make our batter seemingly “melt in your mouth,” I think the kids would really like that...plus the pancakes turn out with a slight blue color, which the kids enjoy.

Nelson Mandela: As a man known for bringing people of race together, I would serve him our “Bountiful Buttermilk Buckwheat,” which harmoniously brings together Buttermilk & Buckwheat that would give someone of Mandela’s endurance the power to make it through more than an average man’s day. Plus, he seems like a down-to-earth guy and this mix makes a very sensible and hearty pancake.

Britney Spears: It would be a blended stack of “Vivacious Vanilla” & “Sinful Cinnamon” -- definitely none of our Glamorous Gingerbread. Sprinkled with some nuts, of course.

Sarah Palin: Whip that girl up some Witty Whole Wheat! She’s going to need it. In fact, if I could go back in time, I would have sent her some during the presidential campaign! She would be able to fit in a bikini by day, formal gown at night, and have the energy to pull as much wit from anywhere possible.

What is one thing that has helped you with your expansion as a brand?

Visibility. We try to attach ourselves to any events that will get us in front of our target demographic, which really spans the gamut. If I had to focus on one thing, it’s that Daddy Cakes has really embraced social media. Our website is the hub for our blog and we are extremely active on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter! Our fan base and sales are growing daily as a result.

As a father of two, tell us the most rewarding, important, inspirational thing about being a father.

I’ll need more than a few sentences to answer this one. I would need a double-page spread in the Daily Pilot to do this one justice. As any dad knows, it is an awesome responsibility and opportunity to interact and be part of a child’s life — the more you interact with them the more they grow as individuals and give you so much more than you could have ever imagined. Being a dad to two boys is like having two little buddies who don’t realize how completely crazy the rest of world thinks you are for starting this type of company. They think it is the coolest thing ever that they are involved in a company like this; it really is a family business. In short, being a father is simply awesome and I can go on and on, but the best thing, for me, is to have the opportunity to combine family and work, which so few can do. Daddy Cakes is truly family powered.

Daddy Cakes

PHONE: (949) 309-2669

WEBSITE: www.DaddyCakesBakery.com