Sal Picinich lived a fulfilled life while doing what he loved the most. Long before Carlo’s Bake Shop gained fame on the American reality TV show Cake Boss, Picinich worked there as a baker. He was the oldest staff at the family-owned business based in New Jersey and his relationship with the owners was beyond formal.
The veteran baker began his journey at Carlo’s Bakery in the mid-1960s and remained a loyal staff till the end. When the bakery gained a spot on TLC, he joined the cast in the spotlight but didn’t live to see the end of the show which officially wrapped up in 2020. Picinich was one of the most trusted employees at the bakery and his death left a huge gap. Explore the lesser-known facts about the life, career, and death of the former Cake Boss star.
Sal Picinich Was Born In 1947
Salvatore “Sal” Picinich was born on the Croatian island of Susak in 1947 and moved to the United States in 1963. Picinich lived a modest and quiet life. Thus, further details about his background and early days are not public knowledge. His only claim to fame is the appearances he made on Cake Boss. While his ancestry can be traced to Croatia, Picinich built his career in the United States. However, he never got the chance to share how his journey to the States began but everyone knows how it ended.
Sal Picinich Worked At Carlo’s Baker Shop For 45 Years
Nicknamed Red, Sal Picinich was the longest-serving staff at Carlo’s Bakery at the time of his death. He joined the company in 1964 under the management of Bartolo Buddy Valastro Sr. who later died from lung cancer in 1994. Picinich continued to work under Buddy Valastro Jr., professionally dubbed “The Cake Boss.” He watched Valastro Jr. grow up in the business to fill his father’s big shoes. As such, Picinich was one of the trusted employees The Cake Boss held very close and he saw him as a father figure.
When Carlo’s Bakery bagged the deal to appear on television, Sal Picinich also won a spot on the cast. The series premiered on April 19, 2009, on TLC to rave reviews with increased business for the bakery. People queued in long lines to enter the bakery which gradually transformed the shop into a tourist attraction.
On January 26, 2015, TLC ordered two more seasons of Cake Boss which aired on the cable television network until 2017. Cake Boss season 9 (the final run) premiered on May 18, 2019, as the show was moved to TLC’s sister network, Discovery Family. The last episode was aired on April 11, 2020, while the critical and commercial success of the show led to four spin-offs – Next Great Baker, Kitchen Boss, Bake You Rich, and Bakery Boss.
Sal Picinich Withdrew From Cake Boss Because of His Deteriorating Health
As a trusted staff of Carlo’s Bakery, Sal Picinich appeared on Cake Boss from its inception. He was seen on 20 episodes of the widely loved reality television series. However, health challenges due to cancer stopped him from working in late 2009. As such he stopped appearing on Cake Boss to focus on his health and recovery journey.
During the 2010 summer, Picinich returned to the show to accept the Employee of the Century Award as the bakery marked its 100th anniversary. He was honored as a dedicated employer after over four decades at the bakery. After the ceremony, Picinich was never seen on the television series again until his death.
He Died Of Cancer
Sal Picinich battled cancer quietly for a couple of years before his death on January 30, 2011. The veteran baker died in Carlstadt, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA at 63. On February 4, 2011, a funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church of East Rutherford where he was a parishioner. His body was laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery of North Arlington the same day.
Left to mourn Sal Picinich are his wife Lucille Picinich (nee Palmieri) and two – children Danielle Picinich Reinoso and Salvatore Louis Picinich. Through his daughter Danielle and her husband Juan, Picinich had grandchildren Daniel John Reinoso and Luca Salvatore Reinoso. Picinich’s surviving siblings at the time of his death are Tony Picinich, John Picinich, Elena Zgaljardic, and Maria Janjetovic. Here’s what to know about The Cake Boss.
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