2008 Woodie Awards
From Scratch with Frank the Baker
Angely Fadul
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: Features
Every morning around 6 AM the scents of cookie dough, muffins, and various assortments of cakes float about in the air of Thomas Hall. Of course, not many people are around to enjoy these sweet aromas, and so the artist behind their creation is left unnoticed.
Frank Salerno is the Manhattan College baker. Originally from Italy, he has honed his craft throughout the years and is considered by many to be an "Old School" baker. That is, all of his recipes are kept within the folds of his memory and no one knows the secret ingredients of his creations.
Salerno has been a part of the Manhattan College community for over 20 years. After spending his first few years as a chef, he quickly accepted a post in the bakery to pursue his love of making sweets.
When asked where he saw himself 10 years ahead, he quickly smiled and responded, "Celebrating 30 years as a baker on September 7th of that year! I could not imagine," he said, "doing anything else. I love everything about what I do. Everything from baking cakes to the delicious cookies. Everything is great! I love everything!"
In Italy, Salerno worked first for a telephone company and then as a detective for the police department. A man of many trades, he quickly decided that he would be happiest working in what was first a hobby.
"Everyday I get to do what I love," Salerno said. "If give a choice of changing careers," he continued, "I would still be baking... well baking anything except bread."
All of the selections the students choose for their dinner/lunch desserts or morning breakfast come from Salerno's various experiments in the kitchen over the years.
Salerno added "I don't follow anyone else's recipe's- only my own."
"A long time ago," he went on, "my lovely daughter wrote down my recipes so that I wouldn't forget them." He smiled and continued, "They are my secret, and everyone has secrets- my recipes are mine."
Among the student favorites are the always-popular chocolate chip cookies, extra creamy cheesecake, apple strudels, and banana bread.
Frank Salerno is the Manhattan College baker. Originally from Italy, he has honed his craft throughout the years and is considered by many to be an "Old School" baker. That is, all of his recipes are kept within the folds of his memory and no one knows the secret ingredients of his creations.
Salerno has been a part of the Manhattan College community for over 20 years. After spending his first few years as a chef, he quickly accepted a post in the bakery to pursue his love of making sweets.
When asked where he saw himself 10 years ahead, he quickly smiled and responded, "Celebrating 30 years as a baker on September 7th of that year! I could not imagine," he said, "doing anything else. I love everything about what I do. Everything from baking cakes to the delicious cookies. Everything is great! I love everything!"
In Italy, Salerno worked first for a telephone company and then as a detective for the police department. A man of many trades, he quickly decided that he would be happiest working in what was first a hobby.
"Everyday I get to do what I love," Salerno said. "If give a choice of changing careers," he continued, "I would still be baking... well baking anything except bread."
All of the selections the students choose for their dinner/lunch desserts or morning breakfast come from Salerno's various experiments in the kitchen over the years.
Salerno added "I don't follow anyone else's recipe's- only my own."
"A long time ago," he went on, "my lovely daughter wrote down my recipes so that I wouldn't forget them." He smiled and continued, "They are my secret, and everyone has secrets- my recipes are mine."
Among the student favorites are the always-popular chocolate chip cookies, extra creamy cheesecake, apple strudels, and banana bread.