The Cake Boss

It may have felt like 110 degrees in the shade in NYC last week, but Executive Editor Mary Clarke and I had a very cool meeting with the “Cake Boss” himself, Buddy Valastro.

I love his hit TV show on TLC and am always amazed at the inventive cakes he and his team create. Buddy is a true master and in his latest book, Baking with The Cake Boss (Free Press), he shares his best recipes and decorating secrets.

Buddy is a firm believer that practice makes perfect (“filling four thousand cannoli will help you become a better cake decorator’) and that in time you’ll easily learn how to create your own masterpieces. His book is a terrific step-by-step guide that teaches everything from how to roll dough to how to make and decorate a cake for every special occasion. And the recipes are easy to follow as well.

Along with this fantastic book, Buddy is opening a facility in nearby Jersey City, NJ (“five minutes from our bake shop in Hoboken”), where brides and grooms can enjoy a special consultation in a private room, sample Buddy’s cake flavors and decide just what they want. “My favorite cake to make is the wedding cake,” says Buddy. “This is how I got to be The Cake Boss!” But one thing he does caution brides is not to say, “You’re The Cake Boss; do whatever you want.” “I like brides to give some direction…to show me some examples of cakes they like. When I meet with brides and we talk, I get a better idea of who this she is and what type of cake will make her happy.”

Next up for Buddy? He plans to offer cooking and baking classes in his new facility. “I want to give people who don’t have the time, but appreciate good food, great tips and recipes.” In the coming months, orders from around the country that are placed on his website, carlosbakery.com, will be accommodated. And, he’ll have his own restaurant opening in Hoboken, NJ in spring 2012 where “people can enjoy home-cooked meals like grandma used to make.” He is one busy man!

Buddy’s love for what he does is obvious in his passion for baking and cooking and sharing his talents and skills with others. “Nothing brings families together like food,” he noted. “And my favorite memories are of sitting down at the table with all my family for a meal.”

Thanks, Buddy, for a great meeting, for the pastries, biscotti and cannoli (there goes the diet!) 

…and for sending us back to the office with even more goodies for the staff.

They were beyond thrilled….and it all disappeared in five minutes! 

—Diane Forden