Buddy Tickets

Buddy was born in 1977 as Bartolo Valastro, Jr. and was Bartolo Sr.'s and Mary Valastro's only son. His parents were already accomplished bakers, with his father having bought Carlo's Bakery from Carlo Guastaferro - the original owner - in 1964. Hence Buddy was born with baking blood running through his veins and spent his childhood taking in all the sights, sounds and smells of his family's workplace. More importantly, apart from inculcating an affinity for all things confectionery in Buddy, his parents instilled in him a strong set of values that entailed keeping it all in the family. This guiding principle has served him well since Buddy took over the bakery after the elder Valastro's passing and has translated in to his immediate and extended family being involved in all aspects of running Carlo's Bakery.

Other than Buddy, there's his wife Lisa and his Mother Mary, who was featured on the show till her retirement in 2010. Buddy's Right-Hand guy is Mauro Castano, a pastry chef who is also his brother-in-law, being married to his older sister Maddalena who manages the front counter. Buddy's first cousin Frankie is in charge of cake decorating and Buddy's other brother-law-law, who is married to his oldest sister Grace is the head baker. Buddy's third brother-in-law Maurizio is the designated delivery boy. Former employees and Cake Boss stars include his fourth former brother-in-law Remy who left the show after having been arrested on charges of sexual assault. Though the late Salvatore Picinich was not a family member, he was counted as one as he had worked at the bakery since Buddy's father started running it in the 1960s and was given the "Employee of the Century Award" on the bakery's hundredth anniversary in 2010.

Even before the sugary shenanigans of Carlo's Bakery started to be streamed into the homes of millions of cake lovers all across the globe, the shop located in Hoboken, New Jersey had become a much frequented destination for confectionery crazed people from all over. However, when Buddy and Carlo's Bakery became the stars of Cake Boss in April 2009, fans and aficionados alike literally started lining up around the block, prompting city officials to name the street Carlo's Bakery Way. The shop has also become a city landmark and a major tourist attraction, with Buddy getting a listing in Hudson County's list of its "50 most influential people".

2012 sees Buddy taking to road and bringing his creamy charm and sugary wit across the US. If he is the head honcho in his bakery, then being on stage live in front of his fans makes him feel like a rock star. So book some Buddy tickets now to have your sweet tooth teased by his delectable desserts and baker bravado.