The Alternative Press

WESTFIELD, NJ -- If the news that Carlo's Bakery is opening downtown left you hoping for a celebrity sighting of The Cake Boss here in Westfield, you'll likely get your wish.

With a reality TV series on TLC, a renowned bakery in Hoboken (plus a new one in Ridgewood), a line of signature cakes in grocery stores nationwide and over 5 million Facebook fans, "Cake Boss" reality television star Buddy Valastro has set his sights on 21 East Broad Street for a third bakery to open later this year.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know Westfield. I’ll be spending more time there soon so I need some good recommendations of where to go!" Valastro told TAP.

“Buddy is very hands-on, so he will be there especially in the beginning to make sure the bakery is up to his standards,” added spokesperson Daniela Guernica.

When asked why he chose Westfield for his newest location, Valastro said “What we love most is that Westfield is a great family town. It didn’t take us long to decide this was the best location for the next Carlo’s Bakery”.

The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) has been working with Valastro and crew to get things up and running.

"We welcome all investors to our town and think it would be a nice complement to our existing business mix,” said Sherry Cronin, Director of the DWC.

Already the shop's windows are decorated with images of cakes and pastries, and on the door is an announcement of employment opportunities.

“We are definitely looking to hire locally for the Westfield location. It’s important to me to welcome locals into the Carlo’s Bakery family,” said Valastro.

The shop will be similar to the one that started it all in Hoboken, with all of the same pastries and cakes, including their famous lobster tails and cannolis. For those with a wheat allergy, it will also feature a gluten-free chocolate truffle cake.

But be on the lookout--the Westfield team will be customizing their own tantalizing creations to be available solely at this location.

Though the shop will not be holding classes like the Hoboken location, it will include the custom cake bar that was first introduced in Ridgewood.

“We are excited to be including the Cake Bar at Carlo’s Bakery Westfield. Basically you walk up to the counter, pick your cake flavor, your filling and any decorations and toppings you want on your cake and they whip it up in front of you,” said Valastro.

If you are new to Carlo’s Bakery, Valastro suggests his all-time faves: “My favorite pastry is our lobster tail, favorite cookie is our classic chocolate chip and one of my favorite cakes is my father’s cream puff cake.”

“Carlo’s Bakery began as a neighborhood bakery and that’s what we are bringing to Westfield--that classic Italian bakery experience,” said Valastro.

To learn more about Buddy Valastro and Carlo’s Bakery,  visit http://www.carlosbakery.com/. For employment opportunities, go to http://bakeshop.carlosbakery.com/jobs.