Buddy Valastro

Bartolo "Buddy" Valastro Jr., better known as the “Cake Boss,” is a recognized baker, reality TV star, and entrepreneur. Valastro began working at Carlo’s Bakery at the age of 11 and assumed control of the bakery at 17, following his father’s death. Over time, he transformed the family bakery into a national success. Along with Carlo's Bakery, Valastro owns The Boss Cafe, Pizza Cake, and Buddy V's Ristorante. He also launched an event planning and catering company, Buddy V's Events, in June 2014, and in 2018, he introduced a new line of pet treats in collaboration with The Pound Bakery.

In 2009, Valastro's popularity soared with the launch of "Cake Boss," a TLC reality television show that chronicled the operations at Carlo’s Bakery and highlighted his extraordinary cake-making skills. This show, along with others he starred in like "Next Great Baker," "Kitchen Boss," "Buddy's Bakery Rescue," "Bake You Rich," "Bakery Boss," "Buddy vs. Duff," "Buddy vs. Christmas," "Buddy Valastro's Cake Dynasty, and "Legends of The Fork" contributed to his household name status. His unique designs and ambitious cakes, which covered a variety of themes, garnered a large fanbase and transformed Carlo’s Bakery into a global tourist destination.

Valastro, capitalizing on the success of "Cake Boss," expanded his business with additional Carlo’s Bakery locations across the U.S. and internationally. He also launched "cake ATMs" in Las Vegas and Toronto in 2019, extending to other US and Canada locations. Besides TV, Valastro is a best-selling author of several cookbooks and introduced a line of baking products. In 2016, he partnered with Whole Earth Sweetener Co. to promote a new line of zero- and lower-calorie sweeteners.

Throughout his career, Valastro has been a steadfast advocate of his family, tradition, and the art of baking. Despite suffering a severe hand injury in 2020 that demanded multiple surgeries, he made a remarkable recovery, regaining about 95% of his hand's strength by 2023. His dedication to his craft earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary Show Host in 2024. Today, Valastro continues to innovate in his craft while staying connected to his roots at Carlo’s Bakery. He also participates in philanthropic efforts, supporting the Special Olympics and being involved in the "Make-A-Wish" foundation.