Buddy Valastro Gives An Update On His Injury - Exclusive
Fans of Buddy Valastro, who has become a household name thanks to his show "Cake Boss," on TLC, likely know that he endured a pretty gruesome injury in October of 2020 (via USA Today). He was bowling with his family in New Jersey when the pinsetter of the at-home alley malfunctioned. Ultimately, Valastro's hand was impaled three times by a one-and-a-half-inch metal rod. His hand was completely lodged inside the mechanism, and he couldn't remove it. Fortunately, his sons were able to cut through the machine with a reciprocating saw.
Now, a full year later, Valastro is doing much better and is even launching a new digital brand, Buddy V's Cake Slice. The brand essentially expands Carlo's Bakery across the United States so fans can have fresh slices of the famous bakery's cakes delivered to their door within 30 minutes of ordering. Valastro joined Mashed to discuss his new concept as well as other ideas he is developing, but he also filled us in on how he's doing after his surgeries and a full year of recovery.
Valastro feels 95% recovered
When Mashed spoke to Valastro, he was very relieved to be doing as well as he is now. "I've got to say, thank God. I'm probably about 95% back. I got my strength back. I got my dexterity," he said. But one of the biggest tests for the Cake Boss's recovery was filming another season of one of his baking competitions on the Food Network. "I was able to film another season of 'Buddy vs. Duff,' which is really the craziest cakes that we ever make. So if you can compete at that level, then we're pretty good," Valastro explained. To show his appreciation for the doctors and nurses who cared for him after the accident, Valastro's team even made a cake to thank his medical team (via Instagram).
But the road to being fully recovered is not quite over yet. "I had some nerve damage, but honestly, the nerve is healing pretty well," the baker said. "I'm truly blessed, really lucky. It could have been so much worse," Valastro added. Clearly, Valastro is very lucky to be healed enough to continue doing the work he loves so much. Fans can rest easy. We certainly haven't seen the last of Valastro's talent.
To get a taste of Buddy Valastro's show-stopping baking, you can place an order now at Buddy V's Cake Slice. To stay up-to-date with Valastro's family and bakes, follow him on Instagram.