Department of Residence Dining Services put the icing on the cake for Elizabeth Dole’s visit to Iowa State Friday.

While Dole was speaking at Stephens Auditorium, Dining Services workers with the Central Bakery in Knapp-Storms Dining Service were busy baking and decorating a birthday cake in honor of one of Dole’s staff members, said Geni Greiner, an ISU special events coordinator.

Greiner said the bakery was only given four hours notice to finish the cake.

Karen Larsen, coordinator for the Towers Dining Center, said Greiner called her with Dole’s request for “a birthday cake they could eat in the limo” on the way to the Des Moines International Airport.

“We sent everything, including a knife,” Larsen said.

Besides the cake and a knife, the birthday package also had candles, matches, plates and dining ware.

Larsen said the cake was white, two-layers and decorated with cardinal and gold.

According to the Director of Dining Services Stewart Burger, the bakery will make cakes for special occasions for anyone who calls, often for gatherings, fund raisers or academic departments. Cakes, cookies and brownies also may be ordered.

Larsen said the bakery will bake cakes for any occasion as long as plenty of advance notice is given.

The cost for baked goods vary by size and type, and prices may be obtained by contacting any of the dining centers, Burger said.

“Any monies received [beyond cost] go to keep the cost of room and board down for residents,” he said.