Grand Opening of Carlo's Bakery with Buddy Valastro & TLC's The Cake Boss!

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If you have ever watched "The Cake Boss" on TLC, you know Buddy Valastro is a compassionate, funny, down to earth and passionate baker and family man. Meeting him in person, I found him to be so much more. I attended the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at his newest location at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. Hundreds of people showed up and waited in line for hours to get their hands on desserts and catch a glimpse of Buddy and The Cake Boss cast at work.

The new bakery will be the first New England location for Carlo's Bakery, which currently has seven other active locations including its flagship bakery in Hoboken, NJ, locations in Ridgewood, N.J; Westfield, NJ; Red Bank, NJ; Morristown, NJ; Las Vegas, NV and Marlton, NJ.

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I'm thrilled to bring Carlo's Bakery to Mohegan Sun," said Buddy Valastro, owner of Carlo's Bakery. "This is a destination for fun and food and we can't wait to be a part of the famiglia!

I was invited to sit down with Buddy in the first ever Sweet Room! The Sweet Room is a dessert-only dining concept slated to feature a small menu of decadent Italian inspired innovations, from ice cream and sorbet to cheese plates and petit fours. The unique recipes are thoroughly crafted to satisfy all the senses. 

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One of the first questions I asked Buddy is.. why Mohegan?  He explained that he and the tribe have had a relationship for quite sometime and that they are always so generous when he comes to visit. Buddy 's relationship with Mohegan Sun start in 2011 when he was asked to bake a cake for their 15th anniversary and then started the magic. 

Signature plated dessert at The Sweet Room

 I asked Buddy of course a lot of cake questions. One in particular was what was the oddest thing he had been asked to incorporate in a cake? If you watch the show, you know what I am talking about! Buddy said that anything with blood and gore is always hard for him. It goes against everything he was taught and knows about baking by making the cakes smooth and having clean lines. But,  he always happily obliges as you can tell when you watch the show and see some of the requests he gets.

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Buddy has 4 children and I was curious to find out if any of them plan to go into the family business. He told me that they would support their children in whatever they wanted to do but that they already are involved and often help out in the bakery.

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When asked about which celebrity he was star struck to bake for, he said Oprah! Buddy said she was so gracious and she was just so great to work with. He also said the one person he would like to bake for is the Pope! 





Carlo's originally opened by Carlo Gusastaffero in 1910, was acquired by Bartolo Valastro Sr. in 1964. Since the untimely passing of Bartolo Sr. in 1094, matriarch Mary Valastro and her children Grace, Maddalena, Mary, Lisa and master baker Bartolo jr. " Buddy Valastro have expanded the business with the help of their spouses.

Me, Grace Valestro, Lisa Valastro. Photo credit Charged

Signature plated dessert at The Sweet Room. Photo credit Charged

I asked Buddy if there was any advice he would give to someone just starting out with a business. Buddy said be prepared to be the marketer, supplier, accountant, delivery person and so on right from the start! He stated that you need to be "all in". He also said if it is not working, you have to know when to stop if you continue to struggle. 

Baker and Cake Boss cast member Mauro Castano putting the finishing touches on a cake. Photo credit Charged

I found Buddy to be extremely kind, laid back and genuinely interested in being with his fans, family and a huge passion for Carlo's Bake Shop. If you ever come to Mohegan Sun, this is a much needed stop on your trip for some sugary sweetness! You can find Carlo's at the Winter section of the Casino of the Earth  at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Carlo's is open Sunday- Thursday, 7:00-Midnight, Friday-Saturday 7:00-1:00am. The Sweet Room is open daily from 5:00pm-1:00am daily.

Hair by Jessica Lynne Buffone. Photo credit Charged.