Buddy Valastro, Jr, better known as the Cake Boss, delivered a lively, interactive show for around 1,200 people at Emirates Palace hotel on Saturday afternoon.
The star of the American reality TV show Cake Boss, which follows the daily operations of his family business, Carlo's Bakery, the show is seen in 190 countries by 1.5 billion people.
Valastro's visit is part of Abu Dhabi Summer Season. It's his first time in the capital.
"You guys have a great country here,” he said. "Abu Dhabi has been awesome. There's so much to do and see. It's a good place to bring the kids and have a good time.”
True to his TV persona, Valastro came off as relaxed, funny and relatable during his two-hour show. He shared stories from his childhood and talked about life inside the bakery, all while demonstrating his cake-decorating skills and techniques.
Some members of the audience were moved to tears to see Valastro live on stage. Valastro, 37, says that is the kind of stuff that keeps him going.
"For a guy who's just a baker from New Jersey, I'm very humble and I'm very appreciative of the fans,” he said. "Sometimes when I get up on that stage and I see families from all over the world together, it makes me want to cry. It makes me want to pinch myself and say, ‘wow, what an amazing experience.'”
Valastro is now shooting season seven of Cake Boss in the US. He believes the worldwide success of the show can be attributed to one common denominator: family.
"No matter where you go in the world, family values are important,” said Valastro. "No matter where you come from, no matter what nationality, race or religion, the one thing we all have in common is family. Cake Boss is a show that you can enjoy as a family.”
Families in the Gulf may soon be seeing more of Valastro. He's revealed his future plans to open bakeries in Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They will be Valastro's first bakeries outside of the US.
Valastro's visit also included a cake-decorating competition among home bakers and professional bakers.
Source: The National
GMT 08:14 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Taliban militants 'searched for foreigners'GMT 08:44 2018 Monday ,22 January
Chinese, Russians shore up Middle East tourismGMT 06:47 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Assad regime promotes Syria as a 'tourist' destinationGMT 12:27 2018 Saturday ,20 January
US Supreme Court to take up case on Trump's latest travel banGMT 06:16 2018 Friday ,19 January
Airbus gets early 2018 jump on rival BoeingGMT 06:10 2018 Thursday ,18 January
China's aircraft carrier sails by Taiwan as tensions growGMT 07:31 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
Airbus warns A380 programme at riskGMT 07:16 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Ritz-Carlton to re-open after holding royalsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©