If you are following RootsTech, you have probably already heard the news — the Cake Boss-TM, Buddy Valastro, Jr., is coming to the Salt Palace Convention Center on February 11, 2017! Buddy will be in town to share his Italian-American family story. He will also judge the first-ever cake decorating competition at RootsTech. More details about the contest will be posted on RootsTech.org in the days to come.

The Cake Boss-TM is a reality television show featuring Buddy Valastro, Jr. in the title role with his Italian-American family in the mix. The show has been renewed for its 9th season on TLC. As the show continues to rise in popularity, The Cake Boss-TM enterprise continues to sweeten lives with amazing confections.

Family is the most important part of my life. You have to embrace and be proud of where you come from. I can’t wait to share my story [at RootsTech 2017] of how my past, present, and future have shaped who I am with the audience.
Buddy Valastro, The Cake Boss™ via FamilySearch

Buddy hails from Hoboken, New Jersey, a walk-able town that is nicknamed the “Mile Square City”, the hometown of ol’ blue eyes, Frank Sinatra, and more recently Eli Manning, QB of the New York Giants.

Valastro is a 4th-generation baker. His great grandfather and grandfather baked up their confections in Sicily. His father, Bartolo “Buddy,” Sr., immigrated to the United States and bought Carlo’s Bakery in 1963 when it was located on Adams Street. The shop itself has been a Hoboken staple since 1910. Buddy, Jr. moved the shop to Washington Street. I don’t know if it’s just coincidence, but the first Oreo cookies were sold to a shopkeeper on Washington Street in 1912. According to one source, Valastro was unaware “of the local connection but says the iconic cookie’s appeal is universal.” Valastro commented, “everyone has the memories of dunking their cookies in milk!”1

As for his own rising enterprise, he still provides the small town touch at Carlo’s Bakery by doing things the old fashioned way. He says, “that’s the trick.” Cannoli shells are filled fresh upon order. He says that this small detail is a sign of a good Italian bakery. I definitely agree! If you are ever in Hoboken, be prepared to wait in line, but I have it on good word that it will be worth your time. Valastro says of the business, “My favorite part is to know when the families come here, you know, and seeing all the kids outside and seeing families together, really touches my heart.”

If you haven’t registered for RootsTech, there’s still time. Would you like to win a FREE Innovator Summit + RootsTech Pass? Several of my fellow ambassadors have giveaways going on right now. See their blogs and social media accounts for more details:

• Fellow ambassador Randy Seaver is giving away a #RootsTech + #InnovatorSummit Pass at Genea-musings. Deadline for entry is Monday, November 7, 2016.
• Fellow ambassador Diane Elder is giving away a #RootsTech + #InnovatorSummit Pass at The Family Locket Blog. Deadline for entry is Thursday, November 10, 2016.
• Fellow ambassador Ruby Baird is giving away a #RootsTech + #InnovatorSummit Pass from her Instagram account @genealogyramblings. Deadline for entry is Saturday, November 13, 2016.
• Fellow ambassador Laura Diamond is giving away a #RootsTech + #InnovatorSummit Pass at Laura’s Jewnealogy. Deadline for entry is November 20, 2016.

Other ambassadors will be posting their contest giveaways during the month of November, including me. Already registered? Enter anyway and you just might win a full REFUND. :-)

I invite you to follow this blog if you have not already done so, follow me on Twitter at @thesingleleaf and/or “Like” my Facebook page — facebook.com/thesingleleaf/ for further updates.

Hope to see you at RootsTech’17!

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1 Yang, Young Soo. “Oreo Cookie Celebrates 100; First Sold in Hoboken.” njtvonline.org. http://www.njtvonline.org/news/around-nj-3/oreo-cookie-celebrates-100-first-sold-in-hoboken/ (accessed October 31, 2016).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am designated as an official ambassador to the RootsTech Conference and, as such, I am provided complimentary admission and other services, opportunities, and meals to accomplish my duties. Nevertheless, I have been with RootsTech since its inception and with its predecessor, the BYU Computerized Conference on Family History & Genealogy, for many years as a paid participant. As always, my coverage and opinions are my own and are not affected by my current status. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

©2016 Lynn Broderick and the Single Leaf. All Rights Reserved.