Wyandotte Woman Cooks Up Visit to 'Cake Boss' Bakery in New Jersey

Wyandotte's Ronnie Rose recently found herself on the New Jersey set of one of her favorite cable TV shows, Cake Boss.

In town on a work trip, she and some friends trekked to Hoboken to visit and one of its most famous bakers, Buddy Valastro.

Carlo’s Bakery has been a hot spot among its neighbors for more than 100 years. And now that cable network TLC has turned the spotlight on this family-owned bakery and its fearless leader for the entire country to see, fans of Buddy and the Valastro clan have been coming in droves to the Mile Square–whether it’s to catch a glimpse of the Boss, go home with a box of red velvet cupcakes or shop for some Carlo’s Bakery memorabilia. 

Like many, Rose said her favorite Cake Boss character is Buddy because of his humor.

“He’s funny, very sarcastic,” she said.

When asked about other characters, cousin Anthony received a boisterous laugh from Rose, her friends and a group of girls standing behind them. Despite knowing how long they’d have to wait in line, a “couple of hours” Rose correctly guessed, all she said she wanted to buy was one cannoli.

However, when Rose discovered that a train ride back to her hotel costs only $1.75 compared to the $45 taxi she arrived in, she figured she could splurge once inside the bakery.

“I have money to buy another cannoli!" she said.

Cake Boss has had a great effect on Rose and her family. Since watching the show, her 10-year-old son has taken a liking to baking. So much so, they’ve started their own side business baking cakes for friends’ birthday parties. Their first paid baking gig was to bake a Detroit Tigers-themed cake and in true Buddy fashion, Rose made the bat and the ball out of Rice Krispie Treats and fondant.

Before watching Cake Boss, Rose’s foray in the kitchen was just cooking, as baking wasn’t something she was interested in or really good at.

“I’d rather eat it than bake it,” she said, but “it’s been fun, something to do with my son.”

Rose’s oldest son suffers from spina bifida and is homebound for nine weeks from a surgery he recently had.

“He’s been getting a little bored so we DVR'd the show and watch it," she said. "(Baking) is something he can do without hurting his back.”

Rose’s appreciation for baking started about a year ago. She said she's been surprised at how great her cakes came out, but not without realizing the difficulties.

“It’s a ton of work and I’d never do it for other than friends or family," she said. "You definitely need to be a passionate about it.”