Buddy Valastro

Bartolo "Buddy" Valastro Jr., born March 3, 1977, in Hoboken, New Jersey, is an American baker, television personality, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the star of the reality television series Cake Boss, which documented the daily operations of his family-owned business, Carlo's Bakery. Valastro grew up in Little Ferry, New Jersey, and began working at Carlo's Bakery alongside his father at age 11, taking over management of the establishment in 1994 following his father's passing.

Under Valastro's leadership, Carlo's Bakery expanded from a local shop into a widespread culinary enterprise featuring retail storefronts, nationwide shipping, and automated cake vending units. His television prominence grew following the debut of Cake Boss on TLC in 2009, leading to spin-offs and related programming such as Next Great Baker, Kitchen Boss, Buddy's Bakery Rescue, and Buddy vs. Duff. Outside of baking, he expanded into full-service dining with restaurant concepts including Buddy V's Ristorante and Pizza Cake, and co-founded the television production company Cakehouse Media.

Valastro has authored cookbooks and instructional guides detailing baking techniques and recipes, including Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia and Baking with the Boss. He continues to host and produce food and lifestyle television programs, including Buddy Valastro's Cake Dynasty and Legends of the Fork. Through his business initiatives and television projects, Valastro maintains an active presence in commercial baking and media production.