Early life: Valastro was born in Hoboken, New Jersey to Buddy Valastro, Sr., and Mary W. Tubito on March 3, 1977 and grew up in urban Hoboken and Little Ferry, New Jersey.[2][3] Valastro began working at his family's business, Carlo's Bakery at age 11, alongside his father. Valastro's father died when he was 17 in 1994, and he succeeded him as the new "Cake Boss." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Valastro
