Tasted At Stern Alumni entrepreneurs in the food and wine industries served up comestibles, insights, and experiences to an appreciative crowd. B Y M A R I LY N H A R R I S
FOUR TIERS WITH VANILLA CREAM FROSTING, PLEASE GENNARO BRUNO (BS ’12) PALERMO’S CUSTOM CAKES & BAKERY
Alumni gathered, tasted, and toasted at the inaugural Taste of Stern event, which showcased the many alumni entrepreneurs in the food and wine industry. The event was organized by the Alumni Food and Wine Group, and chairs Joan Bloom (MBA ’66) and Patricia MacKenzie (MBA ’88). Lucky guests had the opportunity to learn more about each alumni-owned business while sampling delicious sweet and savory treats and wines from a buffet of exotic soups and jerkies, scrumptious baked goods, fine wines, artisanal ice creams, and high-octane chocolates. With so many alumni entrepreneurs in the food and wine industry, Stern expects to make Taste of Stern an annual event.
Superhero cakes, Denver Bronco groom cakes, Hello Kitty birthday cakes, specialty cakes for weddings and milestone events. Palermo’s Custom Cakes & Bakery does it all— and has even baked for Michelle Obama. Based in northern New Jersey, this 25-year-old family-owned business caters and has six retail shops but its ovens are busiest doing large-scale wholesaling to groceries, convenience stores, and club stores. Recently after graduating and stepping up to the counter, Gennaro Bruno (BS ’12) is carrying on the tradition started by his parents Giovanna and Gennaro, and he’s been nominated for Forbes’s “30 Under 30—Food & Drink” list for his efforts. palermobakery.com FALL 2018 / STERN BUSINESS
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