Sal Picinich, 63, Was a Longtime Employee at Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken
Sal Picinich, best known from his appearance on TLC reality series Cake Boss as an employee at Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken where the show takes place, passed away from cancer at age 63. According to his family he considered Buddy Valastro from Cake Boss his second father since beginning work there in 1964.
As soon as he started fighting cancer in 2009, he stopped appearing on the show; he returned last summer though in order to accept an Employee of the Century award commemorating their 100th anniversary. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
After its debut in TLC reality show, this bakery quickly rose to fame following the debut of season one. Staff at the bakery can be seen crafting elaborate custom-order novelty cakes – something its popularity has led to increased business for Valastro who now also publishes two cookbooks!
Valastro has appeared on various talk shows and hosted his own cooking show, The Next Food Network Star, which debuted in March 2010.
While best known for his work at Carlo’s, he has also appeared as a guest star on various other television programs and is actively engaged with his community. For instance, in April 2010 he participated in an event hosted by United Way of Hudson County to raise money for local families in need.
He has appeared as a guest on ABC morning show Good Morning America and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as well as appearing in an advertisement for Domino’s Pizza.
On this week’s Cake Boss episode, Buddy bakes a giant cake for a Rolls Royce dealership in Chicago; his bakery hosts a car-themed birthday party for same-sex couple; Rachael Ray stops by to learn cake decorating from Valastro; while Buddy also instructs his children in baking; however Grace oversteps her boundaries and takes over in Buddy’s absence.
The episode honors Sal Picinich, a longtime employee at the bakery who passed away from cancer at 63 on Sunday. His family described him as being like another father to Buddy Valastro who stars on Cake Boss reality series. Born on the island of Susak in Croatia and working for 45 years at Carlo’s Bakery on 95 Washington Street opposite City Hall in Hoboken. As Valastro’s oldest employee and the last surviving member of his family, his family have launched a website in his memory. Sal’s website at www.salpicinichcakeboss.com features tributes from family and friends as well as clips of him working on the show, according to his family. Apparently it has been visited over 2.5 million times! Additionally it offers hope to those battling cancer along with pictures and videos of him working on the show.