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Please take a look at the two pictures below.  One is a picture of our original Hot Shoppe in 1927.  The other is Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken, N.J. which opened in 1910.  Don’t they look a lot alike?  

Buddy Valastro is much more of a character than my father.  He’s also a reality TV star. The TLC television show is called “Cake Boss” and Buddy’s the boss.  There are a lot of colorful moments working in Buddy’s bakery with members of his family.  Even with all the drama, what comes out of the oven is a thing of beauty.   

Our Marriott guests can now taste Buddy's cakes for free when they book a wedding or a special event.  Our hotels in the area are partnering with Buddy Valastro, the star of TLC's “Cake Boss,” until the end of February.  Just like on the TV show, you can go behind-the-scenes to Carlo’s Bake Shop to have a free consultation.  Find out when they’re shooting their next episode and go then. 

I know how tough it is to run a bakery.  I started out in the kitchen and learned a lot of valuable lessons.  But it all comes down to customer service.  Carlo’s Bake Shop knows a thing or two about that. If you’ve ever seen one of their cakes you can feel the passion that they bring to each design.  That’s why people stand in line for hours to reach the counter.

Buddy, thanks for being such a great partner and giving people so much joy and happiness. We both come from families whose businesses and traditions go way back, but I think you’d agree: “the more things change, the more they sort of stay the same.”  These two pictures are certainly proof of that.   

I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the Move.