Born in Hoboken new jersey as Bartolo Valastro. On March 03, 1977.He started out as a dish washer at Carlo's bakery when he was 16. He soon realized that he liked to bake and at 17 his father died. He took over his fathers business at 17. The small amount of time that he had with his dad he taught him a lot of the stuff that he knows. He continued to learn by working in the bakery. He specializes in detailed cakes and many other baked goods.