Discover Santa’s favorite cookies in this nostalgic 2011 Cookie Jar Staten Island commercial! Celebrate the season with sweet treats that are sure to bring holiday cheer.
Staten Island’s diverse bakery scene was celebrated in the 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards, where local favorites were honored for their exceptional baked goods. In the competition for the best bakery, Cake Chef of Meiers Corners stood out for its acclaimed coffee cakes and occasion cakes. Piece-A-Cake of New Dorp also received notable recognition, securing fourth place. Holtermann’s Bakery of Richmond took third place, highlighting the borough’s rich variety in baked treats. Pasticceria Bruno, known for its brunch, also made waves with its high-quality offerings.
Read more: https://www.silive.com/readerschoice/2015/12/best_bakeries_on_staten_island.html
The Staten Island Advance’s 2018 Cookbook Contest celebrated local culinary talent with a lively Taste-off event on April 8, 2018. Held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield, the contest showcased a diverse array of dishes from 26 finalists, judged by a panel including notable local chefs and food enthusiasts. Highlights included the introduction of the “Cannoli Olympics,” an interactive competition sponsored by Renato’s Pastry Shoppe. The event, featuring festive 70s music and Italian tunes, culminated in awards for the winning recipes, with Sonia Cogliandro and Paula Gati emerging as top winners.
Read more: https://www.silive.com/cooking/staten-island-cookbook/2018/05/recipes_rock_in_the_staten_isl.html
Cake Chef’s latest venture, Cookie Jar New Dorp, officially opened on July 4, 2016, bringing a fresh touch to Staten Island’s bakery scene. Founded by Maria and James “Cake Chef” Carrozza, this new establishment mirrors the charm of their original West Brighton location with unique design features like a gushing water pipe and repurposed antique fixtures. Although the space is still being finalized with additional seating, it already offers a selection of 70 cookie varieties. The bakery’s signage is underway, with plans for future expansion on the horizon.
Read more: https://www.silive.com/dining/2016/07/staten_islands_cake_chef_launches_sweet_new_restaurant.html
Rep. Daniel Donovan’s “Coffee with Your Congressman” series is continuing into November with updated venues due to high RSVP rates. The series includes sit-down events both on Staten Island and in Brooklyn, allowing residents to engage directly with their Congressman. Recent meetings have seen Donovan interact with constituents at local spots, including a visit to Piece-A-Cake Bakery.
Read more: https://www.silive.com/news/2017/11/donovans_coffee_with_your_congressman_meetings_continue.html
The Carrozza family unveiled their latest venture, Coffee & Collectibles, on May 5, 2023, in Castleton Corners, transforming the former Charles Pfeiffer Medical Supplies location. The grand opening drew a large crowd and featured a unique blend of café and antique store. The venue boasts a rotating Ferris wheel window display and a warm, nostalgic atmosphere with a vast array of antiques and collectibles. Co-owner Salvatore Carrozza drew inspiration from Florida amusement parks to create an immersive experience, combining savory food with a museum-like exploration of vintage items.
Read more: https://www.silive.com/dining/2023/05/new-coffee-collectables-opens-grandly-the-dish.html
James Carrozza, renowned for his bakeries Cake Chef, Cookie Jar, and Piece of Cake, celebrated the grand reopening of his vintage shop, Objects of Interest, on February 1, 2020. The store, now expanded to 4,000 square feet, showcases an extensive collection of antiques, art, and curiosities. Originally located next door, the new venue allows for a more impressive display of Carrozza’s passion for vintage collectibles, which began with local yard sales.
In January 2017, Cake Chef owner James Carrozza teamed up with his long-time friend Stephen Squires to open “Objects of Interest,” a vintage shop in Staten Island. The shop offers a unique selection of antiques, vintage items, and novelties, many sourced locally. The two friends, with over four decades of friendship, combine their passion for vintage collecting and create an exciting space for antique enthusiasts.
Read more: https://www.silive.com/news/2017/01/cake_chef_owner_opens_vintage.html
In March 2020, James Carrozza, owner of three Staten Island bakeries, including Cake Chef, faced a dramatic shift in business due to the pandemic. With large gatherings canceled, orders for cakes dwindled, forcing him to adapt to smaller cakes and curbside pickup. Carrozza wholesaled cookies to Met Foods and created comfort packages for customers. Despite challenges, he focused on keeping his staff employed and maintaining operations as much as possible, adjusting daily to the new normal.
Read more: https://www.silive.com/entertainment/2020/03/cake-chef-bakes-for-a-world-without-parties.html
James and Maria Carrozza, owners of Staten Island’s Cake Chef, have introduced Coffee & Collectibles, a hybrid bakery and antique store located in Castleton Corners. Combining their love for food and antiques, the couple offers classic pastries, savory items, and unique vintage pieces. Their son, Salvatore, has joined the family business, helping manage the new venture. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the space creating both nostalgia and a vibrant community hub. They also plan to expand Cookie Jar into a franchise.
Read more: https://industrym.com/treasure-chest-2/?city=staten%20island
James and Maria Carrozza, owners of four Staten Island bakeries, were honored with the Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award for their community contributions. Their journey began in Brooklyn, where they met at a bakery, and in 1988, they opened The Cake Chef. Over the years, they expanded to include Cookie Jar and Piece A Cake, becoming beloved for their baked goods. They also contribute actively to Staten Island’s business and nonprofit community, with plans to franchise Cookie Jar.
Maria and James Carrozza make Staten Island a little bit sweeter every day. This powerhouse husband-and-wife team owns and operates four of the borough’s most beloved bakeries: The Cake Chef, The Cake Chef’s Cookie Jar, Piece A Cake and Cookie Jar New Dorp.
Maria and James were both born and raised in Brooklyn, where they first met. “Ironically, we met in a bakery,” recalled Maria. “He came in for an Italian ice, and I was working the counter. We kept seeing each other at different friends’ parties, and eventually we started dating.”
Salvatore Carrozza, co-owner of Cake Chef’s Coffee and Collectibles, attributes his success to developing talent within his team. Instead of assigning narrow roles, he focuses on finding each employee’s strengths and placing them in positions where they excel. He believes a great team is the core of any successful business and credits his team for shaping the personality of his coffee house and bakery, which blends baked goods with nostalgic antiques. Carrozza is also a certified pilot.
Read more: https://industrym.com/power-players-36/?city=staten%20island
