Baking cakes for a living is not a profession that Buddy Valastro decided he wanted to pursue just because he liked to get down and dirty in the kitchen. As a fourth generation baker, Buddy knew from the first time he stepped foot in his father’s bakery that he would indeed follow in his footsteps and one day take over the bakery. He could not predict, however, that it would lead him celebrity status with the hit TLC show, Cake Boss. Buddy invited us to watch him in action during his 17 city “Bakin’ with The Boss Tour” to see firsthand how this neighborhood guy from Hoboken, NJ got his Cake Boss status.

By Lauren Bayliss

How did you become known as the “Cake Boss?”
I come from a long line of bakers, my grandfather was a baker and so was my father. When I was only 13 I began my first job at my father’s bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop, and when I was 17 and my father passed away it became my responsibility to take over the bakery. When TLC first came up with the name “Cake Boss” I was a little unsure about how the public would receive it, and I didn’t want to sound like I was arrogant, but now I love it, I really have become the “Cake Boss!”

What is your favorite kind of cake?
That would definitely be my father’s cream puff cake. It’s amazing and has always been my favorite since I was a kid.

What is the most memorable cake you’ve ever made?
I made a life-size cake of my wife for her birthday one year. The pressure of making it life-size was very nerve-wracking, not to mention trying to make it actually look like a real woman! But in the end, it came out unbelievable and she loved it!

What inspires your creations?
I get inspiration from just about everything. For instance, today I was looking out my hotel room window in Boston and all I could see were thousands of colorful leaves floating in the air and falling from the trees and that alone inspired me and got my creativity flowing. The bright colors, the unique shapes, they made me want to go home and make a beautiful autumn inspired cake.

When you aren’t in the kitchen, what do you enjoy doing?
I am just a regular guy outside of the bakery. I love to spend time with my wife and kids, go fishing and just enjoy life.