Holy Cannoli! A trip to Carlo's Bakery!

When my brother told us that we would be driving him to meet his ride back to school in North Jersey, my first thought was, "Oh!  Impromptu trip to Manhattan"!  The planning began as my dad flipped through tv channels.  When he landed on TLC and an old episode of Cake Boss, our plans quickly changed!  After some internet research, we learned that it was best to get there early in the day before the line started.  We read that the lines can last as long as 3.5 hours!  The decision was made and we hit the road at 7:30 on Sunday morning with high hopes.   

We easily found the bakery, since it wasn't far from the Holland Tunnel entrance.  As we drove past, there was no line!  We then found free street parking just a block away...this all had to be too good to be true, but I was wrong!  We walked in the front door of the bakery, where we were given a number.  We had number 39, and they were already serving number 35!  Within 5 minutes they had called our number.  We made our way to the pastry case and got 4 regular cannoli, 5 lobster tails, and 4 pieces of chocolate cheese rugelach.  The employee that helped us was very helpful, kind, and patient!  Our order came to $29, which I feel is reasonable for 13 pieces of huge pastry at a famous bakery!

My brother, sister, and I inside Carlo's! 

All of the items were boxed separately by what they were, and tied shut with red and white string.  I cannot remember the last time I went to a bakery that actually used string, but it threw me down memory lane.  I really loved that they do it that way!  With all of our items in tow in a Carlo's Bakery bag, we made our way to the car, already planning our attack!

"Love at First Bite"

First, the cannoli!  The shell was so crunchy and crisp.  The filling was DEVINE!!!  I haven't had cannoli filling that delicious in 17 years!  I HATE ricotta cannoli filling, as was so happy that Carlo's filling has none in it!  It was just sweet enough, creamy, and had mini chocolate chips in it!  I wish more bakeries had good cannoli like these, but then they wouldn't be such a treat!

We then dived into the chocolate cheese rugelach.  Most people recommended the chocolate raspberry, but they were out when I got to order.  I have to say I was NOT disappointed.  Most rugelachs I have had are beyond dry, and have to be chased with a drink to keep me from choking on dry pastry dough.  Carlo's rugelach were dense and oh so moist!  Absolutely delicious!

We decided to hold off on the lobster tails until we got to Tim and his ride's meeting point!  When we got there, we quickly took the string off the box and took our first bites.  They were by far our favorite of everything we bought!  The crispy pastry shell was room temperature, but when you bite it, the cream is ice cold and sweet.  They were a little piece of heaven!

So, about the bakery itself!  Given how many customers are usually in there, it does feel small, but it really isn't!  When you walk in, there is a long counter on the right that is filled with cakes, tarts, pies, and cheesecakes of all sorts!  There was also a roller skate fondant cake on the counter on display!  They are much more impressive in person.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a picture.  On the left, there was a large area for waiting, and then a shorter counter towards the back of the store that was loaded with pastries and more examples of their sheet cakes, decorated with fondant and icing!  In the back of the bakery on the right, you could see the infamous stair case that is always on the tv show!  We saw one of his sisters running up and down the steps a few times while we were there, but there were no Buddy sightings! 

Yeah, they are hiring...now the real question is, can I make the drive to Hoboken every day?!

 We did take a walk around the block, and saw the delivery trucks and vans in the alley!  We had a really good time, and I hope to make it back sometime soon, or at least on a somewhat regular basis...maybe a few special trips up a year hehe!

Next Food Network Star Casting Call

Only my family and a small handful of my friends knew, but on Tuesday I made the trip over the river and into Philadelphia to attend an open casting call for the Next Food Network Star's 7th Season.  What a process!  After printing out an 11 page application, my resume, a biography (since I barely have any food industry experience on my resume), and 2 recent photos, I got to spend 90 seconds with an assistant casting director while she was eating her lunch after waiting for an hour and a half. 

I can't say I was nervous going into the interview, but more so ECSTATIC!  I looked great that morning when I left with my pile-o-papers.  I walked in confidently knowing that I had the skills they were looking for, but wasn't sure if my look, point of view, and personality was what they were looking for.  I was confidence all the way...until my butt hit the seat of the chair in the casting interview.

First Question: Name? Christin.
Second Question: Age? 27.
Third Question: What is your living/family situation? Are you married? Do you have kids?  I am living with my father, 21 year old brother, and 14 year old sister.  I am as single as they come, and lord no, I do not have children!
Forth Question: What do you do for a living?  This would be the part where I start to fumble the interview with what felt like a long drawn out answer about how I used to work in higher education, but cannot find a job in it now, so I am working for the caterer/deli I work for in high school, and started working there after I took care of my mom while she was in hospice.  I can tell I am rambling at this point and have started my nervous giggle and looking at the floor while I clutch my purse with a white knuckled death grip.
Fifth Question: What can you bring to Food Network that they do not already have?  Now, if any of you have seen the show, you know that point of view is a HUGE deal.  They want to know exactly what your intentions are and what your show will be all about, no questions left unanswered.  I was beyond prepared!  I go into my speech about how I want to host a show called The Dorm Room Dish.  This show would be geared towards college students and young adults that don't necessarily have much cooking experience and also do not have many cooking supplies.  I want to show these young adults that just because you only own a sauce pan and frying pan does not mean that you have to survive solely on Ramen and Mac and Cheese.  From what I gathered the casting director I met with seemed all about it and even let out a little laugh.

And now for the question that blew it for me....duhn duhn duhn...

Sixth Question: Why do you want to be the Next Food Network Star?  I go into a rambling session about how much I love to cook, and that I just want to cook...guh...insert mouth filter, Christin! Think about what you are saying!  CHRISTIN...SHUT UP!  By the time I finally looked up from the floor, she was giving me the "Ok it is time for you to go" look.

So now she goes into her talk about how they make their decisions and phone calls for callbacks within 24 hours and if I do not hear from them, do not contact the Food Network.  Needless to say, I spent my whole day yesterday neurotically checking my phone...and to no avail, did not get a call back.

It wasn't until I didn't get the phone call that I realized how badly I really did want this.  Don't get me wrong, I knew this meant a lot to me, but had no idea it meant THAT much to me until I went to bed last night realizing I was not getting that phone call.  At least now I know what to expect for Season 8 casting, or maybe I'll forgo Bobby Flay and try some Gordon Ramsay Masterchef!