11/16/10

GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Cake Boss by Buddy Valastro

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!

    +1 Complete the below form
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    +1 Follow Buddy Valastro on Twitter HERE
    +1 Visit Buddy Valastro.com and leave me a comment with an interesting fact.
    +1 Fan Buddy Valastro  on GoodReads HERE

    And now, for those extra entries you can do each day:

    +1 Leave a comment!  I love comments! Just be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you.

     +1 for each post on twitter, a social networking site, blog, sidebar, etc., just be sure to leave a link.


      35 comments:

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

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      2. 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!

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

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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      4. 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

        ReplyDelete
      5. 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.

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      6. Thanks for this great giveaway.

        misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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

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

        ReplyDelete
      9. Daily Entry 11/17

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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

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

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      12. 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

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

        ReplyDelete
      14. I'm really into this show --- would love to have the book too ---

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

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      15. thanks so much, love it!

        lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

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      16. 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!

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

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      18. Love this show---it's got just the right amount of family 'drama', how to, and WOW factor!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        ReplyDelete
      26. 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

        ReplyDelete
      27. 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

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

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

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

        ReplyDelete
      31. Daily Entry 11/28

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        ReplyDelete
      32. Daily Entry 11/29

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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

        ReplyDelete
      34. Daily Entry 11/30

        lizzi0915 at aol dot com

        ReplyDelete
      35. 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.

        ReplyDelete

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