Buddy Valastro is often introduced as Cake Boss—but long before television, books, and global recognition, he was (and still is) a retail baker.

In this episode of The Perfect Rise: Conversations with the Retail Bakers of America, Buddy joins host Chef Kimberly Houston for a grounded, honest conversation about what it really takes to run a bakery in today’s market. From leadership inside a multi-generation family business to staffing, sales, pricing, and adapting to changing customer habits, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities retail bakers face every day.

Buddy reflects on his decades-long relationship with the Retail Bakers of America, the value of industry organizations like IBIE, and why community, mentorship, and collaboration matter now more than ever. He also shares how he’s intentionally passing leadership, responsibility, and craft to the next generation—starting with his own kids.

This is not a celebrity interview.
It’s a conversation for bakery owners who care about longevity, leadership, and strengthening the industry as a whole.

Check out Carlos Bakery: https://carlosbakery.com/

Follow on social: https://www.instagram.com/buddyvalastro/

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Most people think a career in baking means spending your life inside a kitchen—but today’s guest proves the industry is far bigger, more innovative, and more full of possibility than most bakers ever imagine.

In this episode, Kimberly sits down with Kelly DeFusco, a Principal Bakery Scientist at Tastepoint by IFF with 34 years in the flavor industry. Kelly’s journey started with homemade 3D birthday cakes, a family restaurant, and a home economics degree, before one unexpected phone call launched her into a career where creativity meets chemistry every single day.

Inside this conversation, you’ll discover:

• How a non-traditional path led Kelly into bakery science—and why more students should know options like this exist
• The behind-the-scenes world of flavor creation, formula troubleshooting, and the science that drives consistent, scalable products
• What Kelly learned training under Dunkin’s head donut baker and studying chocolaterie in Paris
• Her real, unfiltered experience preparing for the Certified Master Baker (CMB) exam—and the surprising insights from only having one retest left
• Why she calls the CMB “the bar exam for bakers”
• How bakery owners can immediately improve product quality by tasting throughout the process and understanding ingredient synergy

Kelly brings honesty, humor, and a deep passion for both science and craft. If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible in the baking industry beyond the bench—or if you just need a reminder that growth is never linear—this episode is for you.

Listen in, take notes, and get ready to rethink what a baking career can look like.

To learn more about Tastepoint visit their main site here: https://www.tastepoint.com/

To learn about IFF visit: https://www.iff.com/food-beverage/

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What happens when you spot a gap in the market that should exist… and decide to build it yourself?

BagelFest was born from that exact moment — an idea that didn’t make sense not to exist. In today’s episode, Chef Kimberly sits down with the “Bagel Ambassador” himself, Sam Silverman, to explore how a first-time festival in Bushwick evolved into the beating heart of global bagel culture.

This episode dives into:

• The surprising origins of BagelFest
• How proof of concept shaped every stage of growth
• Why community is the true engine behind this movement
• The mindset shift Sam had to make when the business didn’t go as planned
• How the Growth Lab and Industry Mixer are rewriting what’s possible for emerging bakers
• What separates scalable bakeries from struggling ones
• The trends redefining the bagel world — in the U.S. and abroad

If you’re a baker, founder, or industry professional who’s tired of building alone, this conversation will remind you that your niche matters, your community matters, and your ideas deserve real oxygen.

Sam’s journey is a masterclass in staying curious, staying committed, and building something that lifts an entire industry.

Connect with the Bagel Community:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bagelfest

Website: https://www.bagelfest.com/

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