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Local Bakers Take 2nd Place In TLC Baking Reality Show

By Hadas Kuznits

COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. (CBS) - Two Collingswood, New Jersey bakers came in second place this week on the season finale of the TLC Network's show, "The Next Great Baker."

Al DiBartolo of DiBartolo Bakery on Haddon Avenue says he's proud of what he and his pastry chef, Manny Agigian, accomplished:

"We got to the end and I think we really represented South Jersey really cool."

DiBartolo says the show has had an incredible impact on business:

"I'll put it to you this way, June we're always pretty steady.  By July it tapers off.  This was the busiest July we've ever had, by far."

Hear the expanded interview with Al DiBartolo in this CBS Philly podcast (runs 13:01)...

The Next Great Baker

Elaine Borman of Gloucester is a customer. She tells KYW Newsradio she was thrilled to see these guys on TV:

"When they made it to go to Vegas, I was like 'oh my God' -- and I'm in bed 10:00 every night, I thought, 'oh no!  I gotta stay up! This is until 10:30'."

Even though they came in second place, Borman says she remains proud

"They did such a great job.  They really did, I was so disappointed at the end, because we were really going for you!"

If DiBartolo has his way, he says you'll be seeing much more of him:

"My ultimate baking goal is to have cameras in this store and film the lunacy that's here!"

DiBartolo says there was a lot that went on behind the scenes to film the reality show:

"What kills us is when they're like, 'Hold Up!' and they gotta move the cameras around, and now it's like almost an hour and you're dying to get to work!"

What advice would he give to new bakers?

"Be prepared for everything! The trends are really moving faster than ever and it's like technology; Pinterest is one of the reasons you gotta be all over it and you gotta be prepared to change!"

 

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