The Cake Boss: Buddy Valastro

For Buddy Valastro, 33, mixing eggs, sugar, butter and flour mean a lot more than “making a cake.” As a fourth generation baker, it’s a constant source of pleasure, pride and creativity. Creating amazing cakes connects Buddy with the memory of his father Buddy Sr. and his extended Italian family history. His talent and passion for the family business, Carlo’s Bakery, has earned the straight-talking cake expert the moniker, and TLC TV show, Cake Boss.

At age 11, Buddy began his career at the family business Carlo’s Bakery, alongside his father. While his initial responsibilities were washing pots and pans he soon realized he had inherited the family gene and a passion for baking. At 17, his father passed away and Buddy took over daily operations of the bakery. As the head of Carlo’s Bakery he continued to further his father’s dream of making the bakery a household name. Looking for ways to help the bakery stand out against the competition he mastered fondant icing techniques and introduced the art of designer cakes. It was his magnificent cake creations that caught the media’s attention, and after several appearances on Food Network Challenge, Buddy was approached by executives at TLC and Cake Boss was born. The reality show now in its’ third season centers on behind the scenes working of Carlo’s Bakery and the Valastro family and became an instant hit. Buddy is also in production for his new reality show competition series. Next Great Baker, airing on TLC in December.