NJ Cake Boss Buddy Valastro Returning To TV With Two New Shows

NJ's now Buddy Valastro, known as "The Cake Boss" is on his way back to television with two new shows that will premiere Saturday November 11 on the A&E Network.

JIM MONAGHAN - When I think of Hoboken, three things come to mind. Frank Sinatra, the music club Maxwell's, and my guest Buddy Valastro, and Carlo's Bakery.

Buddy, good morning and welcome to WDHA.

BUDDY VALASTRO - Thank you, man. Thank you so much.

JM - And coming back to television with not one, but two shows November 11 on the A&E Network. I'm looking forward to a Cake Dynasty Family Affair. And let me ask you the question. Not who's the most difficult member of the family, Buddy, but who's the most challenging member of your family to work with?
BV - You want a sister? Because I can send you one. You got to get me in trouble here, Jim.

JM - That's why I said challenging as opposed to difficult.

BV - Well, you know what? Dynasty is my life. Right. And there's ups and downs. It's actually a lot more about my wife and children who are part of the business and the succession of them coming on board and building a dynasty with them in different things.

We've grown over these years, and when they were younger, I didn't have them on TV as much, but now that they're of age, they're starting to come into the business, and it's the succession part of the business, which I think is pretty cool.

JM - Now, you took over a family business, and now it looks like you're passing it down. What's that like for you?

BV - It touches my heart to be able to build something cool with my kids because it was a dream of me to do it with my dad.

Unfortunately, he passed away when I was 17. So to be able to do this with them is like the best feeling in the world.

Back then, it was one little bakery, but now we have 13 bakeries. We have eight fast casual restaurant concepts, a full-blown Italian restaurant concept in the Venetian in Vegas, we have 75 vending machines.

We're in 3500 Walmarts across America. And we manufacture. I have 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

I was telling somebody yesterday, we made 30,000 pounds of cake batter. So we're making 18 cakes a minute or 110 cake slices a minute. Or we could be making a giant cake for Wicked.

We make it all happen. And you get to see the dynamics between me and my family, and I think it's pretty cool.

JM - The second show, Legends of the Fork, and you're going to be traveling all over the United States. Where is your favorite place to travel to in America, Buddy?

BV - Wow, that's hard. It depends on what and when.

For me, I think South Florida for, like, let's call it January, February, March, I don't think there's a better place. The weather is like perfect and stuff like that.

I'm a New Jersey/New York guy. I think I'll always be here. I just can never see myself totally being away, but I could see myself spending winters in Florida.

JM - I noticed on your website that you're selling pizzas in packages. And I have to ask you, when you go for a slice here in New Jersey, where's your go-to place?

BV - Well, usually if we go from Jersey City or Hoboken, we go to Basil's because we're real close to the bakery.

Interesting enough, they actually put a little bit of Japanese breadcrumbs underneath it. Pancoat on the bottom, use Pancoat to coat it. It gives it a crispy texture. It's pretty cool.

JM - Buddy Valastro coming back to the A&E Network on Saturday, November 11 with not one, but two shows, Cake Dynasty and Legend of the Fork. And you can check out all things Buddy related online at Carlosbakery.com.

Buddy, thank you so much for your time this morning here on DHA and good luck with both shows.

BV - Thanks, Jim. Take it easy.

Check out more WDHA Morning Jolt interviews.

Now's the time to get into those late-fall activities and gear up for the holiday season. While the peak time for apple and pumpkin picking has passed, there are still enjoyable fall activities during the final month of fall. Additionally, the earlier onset of darkness in November provides extra motivation to include a few fall activities in your schedule before winter arrives and holiday preparations take over.

Every year, Christmas decorations start appearing almost immediately after Halloween ends, especially in stores where Christmas becomes the primary focus. Thanksgiving tends to receive less attention. But Thanksgiving deserves recognition in its own right. A Thanksgiving dinner isn't just about providing a satisfying meal, but also a warm heart. It doesn't require gifts or candy to celebrate this day, either. Thanksgiving is all about the food, family, and traditions, which some people may sometimes overlook. Additionally, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and the National Dog Show are more reasons to appreciate Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving might have a complicated history, but for many, it's a time to slow down and focus on family. With schools, offices and most stores closed, it's a chance to hit the pause button on life, reflect on what you're thankful for, and indulge in some delicious home-cooked food and a dessert spread that's hard to beat. Alternatively, you might opt for ordering takeout or delivery. Regardless of the menu, the quality time spent with loved ones is what truly counts. There are numerous ways to enjoy this time with your family during Thanksgiving break.

Consider some Thanksgiving activities that offer creative opportunities, such as crafting turkey-themed arts and crafts. These options include making playdough turkeys, pinecone turkeys, or cardboard turkeys with your family. You can also explore gratitude-related activities for families, such as creating gratitude rocks or crafting thankful turkeys.

Here are some fun activities to consider in the lead-up to Thanksgiving.

Look around for a Thanksgiving race happening near you. Round up your friends or family members and join a seasonal run. Some of these races are pretty laid-back, while others are more intense for those serious runners. Either way, it would make for a great activity ahead of Thanksgiving.

Nothing gets you in the Thanksgiving mood like re-watching the best Thanksgiving episodes from your favorite TV shows. You can even make it a family affair by having each family member pick 2 or 3 themed episodes from their favorite shows for everyone to binge-watch. You have a variety of TV shows to pick from, such as Friends, specifically "The One with All the Thanksgivings" (Season 5, Episode 8), This Is Us with the episode "Pilgrim Rick" (Season 1, Episode 8), or Gilmore Girls featuring "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving" (Season 3, Episode 9).

Whether you're trying to use up all those apples you picked last month, perfect a pie recipe before the holidays, or simply want an excuse to devour something sweet with friends, a pie swap is a great way to gather in November. You could even make it a virtual baking event or deliver your pastry creations to your friends' doorsteps.

Not everyone can make it home for Thanksgiving, and even if they can, consider hosting a potluck feast with your closest friends. Ask everyone to whip up or bring their favorite Thanksgiving dish. You can even add a unique theme to your celebration for extra fun.

Get your creative juices flowing by making crafts that express what you're thankful for. Try something like creating a Thankful Turkey or a Turkey on the Table. It's an activity that encourages the whole family to share their gratitude and make it a daily thing. Get your family to jot down what they're thankful for on little paper feathers throughout November. These feathers can be added to a turkey centerpiece made from construction paper. Then on Thanksgiving day, take the time to read each one with your family.

Chat it out with your family and decide which organization or foundation you want to support, then kick off a collection. Making your annual donation a Thanksgiving tradition is a cool way to show your gratitude. Volunteering together anytime in the year teaches your family to think beyond themselves, give back, and appreciate what they have.