BREAD BOSS ITALIAN BAKERY

Move over Buddy Valastro (aka “The Cake Boss”) – there is a new boss in town, and this boss is the real deal. Enter Francesco “Porky” Martinelli, executive baker of Johnston’s newly opened “Bread Boss” Italian Bakery. Truth is, if you have lived in Rhode Island for more than a few days, chances are that you already know Porky Martinelli. Porky learned how to bake at his father’s side, knowing that if he wanted to spend time with his dad, a master baker himself, it would have to be while kneading dough. He learned to bake from the best as a seven year old ~ and has been baking ever since.

Now, after an illustrious career spanning four decades, including several years baking at resorts in Las Vegas, Porky Martinelli is not only back, but he has returned in a flurry of flour and baking soda to open the Bread Boss Italian Bakery on Putnam Pike. The Bread Boss, an immaculate and cheery bakery, is filled with the aromas of freshly baked bread, delectable sugary desserts and specialty items like calzones and “pizza bites”. Each baked item looks like a masterpiece – with a golden brown crust, or lightly sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar, or bursting with spinach or pepperoni – but Porky will tell you that it isn’t about appearances at his bakery. It is all about the taste.

Each item made in this peanut-free bakery is hand made with the loving touch of a true master baker, with no compromise on taste. A steady stream of customers who have rediscovered the magic of “Porky” Martinelli arrives daily at the Bread Boss to choose from a lengthy assortment of baked options – each more delicious than the one before. Some of the many customer favorites include:

* Fresh baked rolls & breads ~ Italian, Sicilian, French

* Calzones ~ Spinach, Chicken or Meatball Parm, or Philly Steak & Cheese

* Pastries ~ Cannolis, Eclairs, Sfogliatelle, Turnovers, Danishes, & Cupcakes

* Egg, Pepper & Wine biscuits, Hermits & Almond Bars

* Daily specialties ~ Almond Cranberry Wheat bread, Pepperoni bread or Marble Chocolate pound cake

If you are planning a special function and need a platter of pure indulgence, the Bread Boss will create just what you need, including 2’ Italian Grinders or 2’ Calzones. With the holidays coming, watch for their homemade pies and special occasion cakes.

The Bread Boss Italian Bakery is located on 64 Putnam Pike (Rte. 44) in Johnston. For more information, call 231-1787 or visit their website at www.breadbossri.com. Hours are T – Th, 7am – 6:30pm; Fridays 7am – 6pm, Saturdays 7am – 5pm and Sundays 7am – 3pm. Free coffee available every day from 8am-11am!