FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 69
buzz
Astoria baker competes on new
Guy Fieri show that aims to fi nd
a host for culinary travel series
BY ANGELA MATUA
amatua@qns.com
@AngelaMatua
Vinny Vaccaro, the owner of Vaccaro’s
Bakery in Astoria, is competing in the
new Food Network show called “Guy’s
Big Project.”
Th e six-episode show follows Guy Fieri
as he walks 10 contestants through the
process of hosting a culinary travel series.
Each contestant picks a restaurant that
best represents their show idea and fi lms a
pilot using the skills they learned throughout
the show. Contestants also cook a
meal that embodies their show idea in
Fieri’s kitchen.
Vaccaro said he has always been interested
in baking and was “born and raised
in a bakery” since his father opened
Vaccaro’s Bakery in Astoria more than
30 years ago.
“My dad always told me, ‘You are born a
baker; you can’t become a baker,’” he said.
“At 14 I was running a bakery with fi ve
bread bakers, and bread is where all my
baking passion started.”
Th e younger Vaccaro is in charge of
making the custom cakes and bakery items
in the store. He said he uses a lot of traditional
family recipes but adds a modern
twist. His favorite desserts to whip up are
his “infamous” donolies (a hybrid doughnut
and cannoli) and bacon brownies.
Vaccaro also added that being an
Astoria business owner allows him to connect
with people from “all walks of life.”
“I love being an Astoria business owner
because of all the diversity this city brings
to my store,” he said. “I get to talk to people
from all walks of life, and hear all their
incredible stories. I was also born and
raised in Astoria, which allows me to stay
connected to all my old customers and
friends. It will always feel like home.”
Th e Astoria native said he is a big fan
of Fieri, and when he heard about a new
show Fieri was casting, he decided to send
out a tape even though he thought his
chances of being chosen were slim.
But on Nov. 5, Vaccaro made his television
debut next to one of his idols.
Vaccaro was chosen among thousands of
submissions.
“Working with Guy was a dream come
true to me,” he said. “He was super awesome
to work with – very humble, inspirational
and insightful. I got to see how
he was able to balance his career and family
life.”
Fieri seemed to be impressed with
Vaccaro, too: although one contestant was
kicked off at the end of episode 1, “Th e
Project,” Vaccaro made it past the cut to
continue forward in the show.
“Th e amount of knowledge that another
contestant R.J. has about meats, I
believe that Vinny has about bakeries,”
Fieri said during the judging process in
episode 1. “I believe Vinny knows it all.”
“What is it about him?” Food Network’s
Alex Guarnaschelli asked Fieri. “Th ere’s,
like, a spirit animal thing with you two.”
“I think he’s got enough likeability … I
really like his personality,” Fieri answered.
Viewers will go on a journey with each
contestant as they learn about what it takes
to run a show. From describing each bite
to engaging the audience and interviewing
a variety of chefs, the contestants will pick
up skills that will help them create a pilot
during the last episode.
Immediately aft er the fi nale, which airs
on Dec. 10, viewers will see whose show
was chosen for a show.
“Over a decade ago I was given a chance
that I could never have dreamed of on
‘Food Network Star,’ and now I’m honored
to have the opportunity to help make
someone else’s dream a reality,” Fieri said.
“As a producer, I know what it takes to
get a show off the ground, and we will see
if these prospects have the passion and
skills needed, because a great idea is just
the fi rst step.”
Th ough Vaccaro couldn’t reveal many
details about his experience on “Guy’s
Big Project,” he said he really enjoyed the
experience.
“Th e most fun I had was that I got to do
my favorite things – bake, eat and entertain
– next to Guy,” he said. “I love the
pressure of being in front of the camera
and entertaining people.”
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