Tom & Eddie’s Deerfield is getting ready to welcome its first customers on Wednesday, June 15, at Deerfield Square, 740 Waukegan Rd., (at the corner of Waukegan and Deerfield Rds.).

In celebration, Tom & Eddie’s co-founder Ed Rensi commissioned Diane Eenigenburg, owner of La Petite Sweet in Westmont, to make a giant work of art with cake as the medium. That’s right – cake.

The finished product weighs 45-pounds, and it’s a dead ringer for the “Tried and True” burger – one of Tom & Eddie’s nine signature burgers. The sesame seeds on the bun are edible as is the bun and everything between – meat, lettuce, tomato and condiments – all made of cake and/or confection. Even the shake and chips next to the burger are cake.

The “cakeburger” is made of 25 pounds of fondant, eight pounds of butter cream, 20 eggs, and a variety of other “secret” ingredients.

“Everybody keeps asking the question, `Is it real?’ It is absolutely real,” Rensi said. “It’s a magnificent piece of art. La Petite Sweet has done a fabulous job with it.”

This amazing masterpiece of baking is on display during the restaurant’s invitation-only soft opening Monday and Tuesday, June 13 and 14, which is called “Sneak Peek & Eats. Customers can see it on the grand opening day starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 15.

Baker Diane Eenigenburg, owner of La Petite Sweet, has been baking custom cakes for special events and weddings for four years. On her list of great successes is a 250 lb. cake designed for the “Jersey Boys” Chicago Wrap Party that was a replica the production’s set.

With Tom & Eddie’s opening next in Vernon Hills in Sept., Rensi plans to have another “Cheeseburger Cake” be part of that launch.

Tom & Eddie’s Deerfield’s Grand Opening theme is “Dressed to the Nines.” Why nine? There are nine signature burgers on the menu. Just for fun, any guest who is "dressed to the nines" in formal wear (a tuxedo or evening gown) will receive a free meal (entree, side and soft drink). Business wear is not eligible.

This “formal wear freebie” is for the first nine days of celebration - from opening day through June 23. And, in celebration of the Deerfield opening, “Dressed to the Nines” will take place at Lombard and Geneva, too.

The Silver Spatula drawing - at Deerfield only - will reward one customer a day for the nine day grand opening with a free weekly burger meal (burger, side, soft drink) for an entire year.

“We have a rule about the cake,” Rensi said. “No touching, but I have to admit it tempts everyone.”

For more information, call 847-948-5117 or go to http://www.tomandeddies.com

and www.facebook.com/tomandeddies.