Meet Your Neighbor Buddy Valastro – the Cake Boss

FEATURED PHOTO: Buddy Valastro in front of Carlo’s Bake Shop

Carlo’s is a family owned bakery featured on the TLC hit show Cake Boss starring Buddy Valastro. Originally opened by Carlo Guastaffero in 1910, Carlo’s was acquired by Bartolo Valastro Sr. in 1964. After his death in 1994, master baker Bartolo Jr., known as “Buddy”, expanded the business with the help of his mother, Mary, and four sisters. Today their baking empire includes more than 20 bakery locations within the U.S. and one in Brazil. Buddy has also opened an event planning and catering company, three Italian restaurants, and turned his art of cake decorating into a celebrity chef role on various television shows. A New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Inductee in the category of Enterprise, here’s our interview with the Cake Boss.

CM: What does it mean to you to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame?

Buddy: It’s an incredible honor to be inducted alongside some really amazing individuals. If anyone ever told me that this could be happening one day, I can assure you I would have told them they were crazy. But here we are. I’m so humbled, I’m so honored.

CM: You’re a fourth-generation baker. You followed in your father’s footsteps running the bakery, how did baking become a family business?

Buddy: It just kind of happened. My parents lived upstairs from the bakery, it wasn’t just work – it was their lives and who they were. Of course, that trickled down to all of us kids. I knew at a young age I was going to be a baker and I think that I was so lucky to have that realization so young because I was able to gear my actions toward accomplishing that and mastering the skill.

CM: Do you think your children will follow in your footsteps?

Buddy: I don’t know if they will. You know, they all definitely have an interest, and are pretty good when they’re working in the shop, but I don’t really have any desire to even inadvertently place any pressure on them to try and be the Cake Boss, you know? I always want them to feel supported and encouraged to follow their dreams and do what makes them happy. (Buddy and his wife, Lisa, have four children: Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco, and Carlo.)

CM: Now that the business has expanded to so many locations, do you still bake items yourself?

Buddy: Six days a week! I work at the Cake Factory six days a week; I still go in at 6:00 a.m. and bake alongside the team – that’s the truth. I enjoy baking and cake decorating, it’s my passion, so yeah, I’m definitely in the kitchen as often as I can be.

CM: What is your favorite thing to bake?

Buddy: Lobster tail. The sfogliatelle pastry is super delicate and takes a lot of focus. I love it.

CM: Are you involved in the Red Bank Carlo’s Bakery?

Buddy: I’m involved in all of my bakeries. I’m here, I work, I have a hand in what’s happening with the brand and what happens in our kitchens – I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re a completely family-owned and run operation, it’s not a franchise. My family and I all travel around to each location as often as possible to just check in on things and catch up with our regulars.

CM: What tip do you have for aspiring bakers?

Buddy: Never stop working at your craft. The more you do something over and over, the better you’re going to be at it – I can’t stress that enough. You want to do it so much that you’re able to do it blindfolded.

CM: What comes next for the Cake Boss?

Buddy: This is a really exciting time for Carlo’s Bakery and I’m rolling out some new recipes soon. I can’t wait for everybody to try them. More bakeries, more restaurants. I want people all over the world to get a little piece of Hoboken in their hometowns.