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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Cake Boss by Buddy Valastro

November 16, 2010 By Mary 41 Comments

Description

In this heartfelt memoir, master baker and star of the #1 hit TLC show, Buddy Valastro tells his inspiring story—and recounts his family’s warm memories from a lifetime of living, loving, and cake making.

Television viewers have fallen in love with Buddy Valastro, master cake maker, and his funny and fiery family, proprietors of Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, on the smash hit TLC series Cake Boss. Now, to coincide with Carlo’s 100th anniversary, cake designer extraordinaire Buddy Valastro brings together his passion for baking and his high-energy family stories in the pages of this charming, heartwarming book—complete with 25 recipes and tips that will make every reader the “cake boss” of their own kitchen.

            Buddy’s beautifully designed cakes are the stuff of legend—and so is the remarkable story of his father, a beloved pillar of the community and himself a talented baker who set the stage for his family’s rise to the pinnacle of their industry. Cake Boss recounts the story of Buddy’s life and of his family’s bakeshop, originally established in 1910 and now a Hoboken, New Jersey, landmark and culinary tourist destination. Here also are twenty-five recipes for Carlo’s Bakery’s most sought-after pastries, pies, cupcakes, and cakes, an irresistible combination of time-tested old-world recipes and modern creations, all founded on a rock-solid “old-school” baking foundation and classic techniques.

            This is the incredible true story of how Carlo’s Bakery came to be, how one hard-working family realized their patriarch’s dream of making their beloved bake shop a household name. The special bond and loving dynamic of the Valastro clan make this an uncommonly touching and truly inspiring memoir.

About the Author

Buddy Valastro is the star of the hit TLC show Cake Boss and owner/master baker of Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken, New Jersey, and author of the bestseller, CAKE BOSS: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia. His award-winning designs have been featured numerous times in various bridal and baking magazines. His cakes have also been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, Good Morning America, and The View.

Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Free Press (November 2, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1439183511
  • ISBN-13: 978-1439183519

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

I adore the Cake Boss show on television, so this book is a natural extension.  This is more than another cook book, it is recipes intertwined with his family history and life. This memoir is the cake and the recipes are the frosting.  I loved the detail about his life and learning more about his mother.  She is the spark of that show and I love how she rides Buddy.  I was a little disappointed that she didn’t force Buddy to finish high school, but some kids aren’t cut out for school.  Buy the book for the recipes and enjoy the story!

    WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

    Contest is open to anyone with a US mailing address (no PO Boxes)

    Contest ends on 11.30.10 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 12.1.10
    Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
    This giveaway is sponsored by Free Press / Simon and Schuster and one book will be available.
    Only one winner per household address!

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      Comments

      1. Laurie (BittenbyParanormalRomance) says

        November 16, 2010 at 10:08 pm

        I love his show and I have this book in my TBR pile. Thanks for the giveaway. Nice review.

        Reply
      2. Carmel @ Rabid Reads says

        November 16, 2010 at 10:59 pm

        This is such an awesome show, I didn’t realize he published a book. Good to know! Unfortunately I don’t live in the US otherwise I’d be signing up for your giveaway for sure!

        Reply
      3. Bethie says

        November 16, 2010 at 11:42 pm

        Thanks for the giveaway. I wish I had more talent in the baking dept!

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      4. holdenj says

        November 17, 2010 at 12:33 am

        Buddy’s website was interesting. I think it’s great to be a fourth generation anything these days and he sure showed his commitment to the shop by starting with pots and pans at age 11.
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      5. Ronda Tutt says

        November 17, 2010 at 4:04 am

        Wow, nice blog by the way and a very kewl give away. I don’t tweet or have a blog but I do reviews for Bitten By Paranormal Romance. Here is where I posted on my facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1109201925

        Also i sent you a friend envite on goodreads.

        I’ve never seen his show but just the cake itself looks out of this world. I am definitly adding this book to my wish list.

        Reply
      6. misskallie2000 says

        November 17, 2010 at 6:41 am

        Thanks for this great giveaway.

        misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

        Reply
      7. mrsshukra says

        November 17, 2010 at 7:11 pm

        Fact about Buddy: Buddy is also in production for his new reality show competition series. Next Great Baker, airing on TLC in December.

        Reply
      8. holdenj says

        November 18, 2010 at 1:31 am

        Daily entry 11/17. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      9. Bethie says

        November 18, 2010 at 2:40 am

        Daily Entry 11/17

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      10. Bethie says

        November 18, 2010 at 9:31 pm

        Daily Entry 11/18

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      11. holdenj says

        November 19, 2010 at 12:08 am

        Daily entry 11/18. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      12. holdenj says

        November 19, 2010 at 2:36 pm

        Daily entry 11/19. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      13. Molly says

        November 20, 2010 at 11:22 am

        I LOVE Cakeboss and Buddy!!! I find it awesome that Buddy is only 3 years older than me and that he started his career at age 11.

        Thanks for the giveaway!
        Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

        Reply
      14. holdenj says

        November 20, 2010 at 3:55 pm

        Daily entry 11/20. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      15. Patty says

        November 21, 2010 at 5:36 am

        I’m really into this show — would love to have the book too —

        patricia [dot] mariani [dot] esq [at] gmail [dot] com

        Reply
      16. holdenj says

        November 21, 2010 at 7:21 pm

        Daily entry 11/21. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      17. Bethie says

        November 22, 2010 at 3:03 am

        Daily entry 11/21

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      18. Shooting Stars Mag says

        November 22, 2010 at 3:43 am

        thanks so much, love it!

        lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

        Reply
      19. panamamama says

        November 22, 2010 at 5:37 am

        I used to be a pastry chef and my kids and I adore his show. I clicked on the link you had and it took me to Avi Steinberg’s page? I did enter Buddy’s site in search and found he started helping out when he was 11 in the bakery. Great giveaway!

        Reply
      20. Mary (BookHounds) says

        November 22, 2010 at 1:44 pm

        @panamamama! Extra entry for you — Thanks for letting me know about my error. I was posting too much stuff at one time!

        Reply
      21. kristi1830 says

        November 22, 2010 at 2:23 pm

        Love this show—it’s got just the right amount of family ‘drama’, how to, and WOW factor!

        Reply
      22. Bethie says

        November 22, 2010 at 8:26 pm

        Daily Entry 11/22

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      23. holdenj says

        November 23, 2010 at 1:37 am

        Daily entry 11/22. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      24. holdenj says

        November 24, 2010 at 12:03 am

        Daily entry 11/23. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      25. Chelle says

        November 24, 2010 at 6:07 pm

        My sister and brother in law like watching Cake Boss. I hope I win the book for them! theprairielibrary (at) gmail (dot) com

        Reply
      26. Patty says

        November 24, 2010 at 11:08 pm

        I think these cakes are just amazing! (daily entry)

        patricia [dot] mariani [dot] esq [at] gmail [dot] com

        Reply
      27. holdenj says

        November 25, 2010 at 1:50 am

        Daily entry 11/24. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      28. tanya904 says

        November 25, 2010 at 3:49 pm

        My hubby and I love watching this show. I have been looking forward to reading the book too..
        tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

        Reply
      29. tanya904 says

        November 25, 2010 at 3:51 pm

        fact about Buddy: He is going to have a new competition show on TLC called The Next Great Baker
        tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

        Reply
      30. Bethie says

        November 25, 2010 at 5:08 pm

        Happy Thanksgiving
        Daily Entry 11/25

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      31. holdenj says

        November 25, 2010 at 6:12 pm

        Happy Thanksgiving!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      32. Anonymous says

        November 26, 2010 at 7:29 pm

        I had no idea that he was only 17 yearsold when his father died and he took over the bakery.

        CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

        Reply
      33. Anonymous says

        November 26, 2010 at 7:39 pm

        I tweeted:

        My Twitter name is Carolee888

        http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/2010/11/giveaway-review-cake-boss-by-buddy.html See above for a giveaway of ‘Cake Boss’.

        CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

        Reply
      34. holdenj says

        November 26, 2010 at 9:45 pm

        Daily entry 11/26. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      35. holdenj says

        November 27, 2010 at 12:56 pm

        Daily entry 11/27. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      36. holdenj says

        November 28, 2010 at 1:04 pm

        Daily entry 11/28. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      37. Bethie says

        November 29, 2010 at 3:49 am

        Daily Entry 11/28

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      38. Bethie says

        November 29, 2010 at 2:26 pm

        Daily Entry 11/29

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      39. holdenj says

        November 30, 2010 at 1:32 am

        Daily entry 11/29. Thanks!
        JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

        Reply
      40. Bethie says

        December 1, 2010 at 2:45 am

        Daily Entry 11/30

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        Reply
      41. Mary (BookHounds) says

        December 1, 2010 at 9:41 pm

        misskallie2000

        An email has been sent to the lucky person named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam). The winner(s) has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
        Thanks to all who entered.

        Reply

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