Buddy Valastro is the head of the bakery where he employs his family and cousins. Four sisters, three brothers-in-law and friends help him in running the business. The Valastro family became famous in 2009, when TLC television launched the program “Cake Boss”, in which viewers watch their work. And there is something to look at, because they take on the craziest projects: a moving amusement park, figures made of real-size cake or a few meters long transformers.
The weirdest order in Cake Boss?
Buddy Valastro: By far the weirdest cake was the toilet seat. The customer wanted it to actually be able to drain the water in it! It was weird, but it worked. Another time, a group of parachutists requested a bomb-shaped cake that they could eat… while in free flight after jumping off the plane. I don’t know where people get such things from. A big challenge for me was the cake for zombie lovers. The undead were sticking out of the ground, and all around them was blood, entrails made of sweets, etc. It is difficult for me to do this type of commission, because I am a perfectionist and I would like my works to be beautiful. The voice inside was tempting, but I didn’t choose to pour real blood on the cake. I used a food coloring and it turned out great too.
What is the current fashion in cake business?
Buddy Valastro: – All customers want a cake to no longer look like a cake. The more abstract and twisted it is, the better. Of course, the scale of the difficulty increases with the ingenuity of the customers. And it is getting bigger and each subsequent project is the most difficult in my life. There are generally no restrictions. If you can think of something, we’ll build it. From real-sized cars to 1: 1 people, it’s all made of dough. I often ask the ordering parties to close their eyes and come up with their dream cake. My job is to make this dream come true.
Is working with the family a recipe for success?
Buddy Valastro: – I must admit that I am very lucky to be able to work so close to my family. Of course, there are ups and downs, especially when there are some problems in business. Then everyone takes it personally. The confectionery is important to everyone, so it is difficult to distinguish between business and family there. At the end of the day, when we stay late at work due to deadlines, nobody can be counted on as much as on the family.
What do you expect from someone who would like to work for Buddy Valastro?
– Most of the employees who come to us are people with no experience. It is much easier for us to train someone from scratch. We have people of different levels of advancement. If you have no idea about it, and you interest us enough to get a job, we will teach you everything from scratch. Such employees are the best.
Cakes should not only look good, but also be tasty
Buddy Valastro: – The reason I got into building beautiful cakes is because they just tasted good. My father had great recipes that were 100 years old or more. To be honest, no matter how good the cake looks, my favorite part is when people taste the cakes and they say it even tastes good. The taste comes first.
I also remember making a cake for Oprah Winfrey once and delivering it to her show. Almost 15 years ago, I told my mother that someday I would be so good that I would make a cake for Oprah. When I did it, it was an amazing feeling.
Are you planning to hand over the bakery to your children?
Buddy Valastro: – I would be delighted if the kids decided to run this business. But I wish they could go to college first and be able to afford all the things that I can’t. I will certainly want to teach them the principles of professional ethics. I want to show them what it’s like to get up every morning and go to work. However, I will not force them to do anything. It is to be their choice and will.