Romano's Italian Bakery, Buffalo

Linda Battaglia arrives at her bakery every morning at 7:30. She could sleep in, but then she wouldn't have time to roll every cannoli shell by hand, fill them with freshly made ricotta, and prepare the other 50 to 75 traditional items she and her team bake fresh daily. These recipes extend a legacy set forth more than 40 years ago by Romano Leonardi, who passed the eatery on to Linda and her mother in 2000. These Old World baked goods and techniques have earned a loyal following in the community and profiles on the WKBW morning news.

A bright glow spreads across the bakery's glass cases lined with cream and ricotta puffs, napoleons, and mousse-filled éclairs made that very day. The cookie selection includes fig and chocolate-ball varieties and almond and anise biscotti, all of which can be shipped across the country. Clients can work with the bakers to design a specialty wedding cake topped with newlywed figurines dancing, holding hands, or folding one another's laundry.