Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Bavaro.
Anthony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
That Cannoli Guy was born while we were planning our own wedding. We kept seeing videos of roaming cannoli services in places like New York, New Jersey, and California and thought it was such a unique, interactive dessert experience. The problem was that we couldn’t find anyone offering anything similar in Jacksonville.
So we looked at each other and said, “Why don’t we just do it ourselves?”
With my Italian and New York roots, cannolis have always been a big part of family celebrations and traditions. Combined with my fiancée’s background in business, marketing, and hospitality, we saw an opportunity to bring something new and memorable to the local event industry.
What started as an idea for our own wedding quickly turned into a business. Today, That Cannoli Guy specializes in roaming cannoli service for weddings, corporate events, and private parties, bringing fresh, filled-to-order cannolis directly to guests. Our goal is simple: create a fun, memorable experience that gets people talking long after the event is over.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but that’s part of starting any new business. As first-time business owners, there’s been a learning curve when it comes to keeping track of all the moving pieces, from licensing and insurance to marketing, operations, and event logistics. At the same time, we’ve been working to get the word out about a concept that most people in Jacksonville have never seen before.
One thing that’s made a huge difference is the support we’ve received from other local vendors and event professionals. Our own wedding planner, Paige with In Good Company, has been incredibly supportive in helping spread the word and giving us opportunities to connect with people in the wedding industry.
A lot of the challenges have simply been growing pains. With every event, we’re learning something new, refining our process, and finding ways to make the experience even better for our clients and their guests. We view each event as an opportunity to improve, and that’s helped us grow both as a business and as owners.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about That Cannoli Guy?
That Cannoli Guy is Jacksonville’s first roaming cannoli service, bringing a unique dessert experience. Instead of guests standing in line at a dessert table, we bring the cannolis directly to them. Our Cannoli Guys roam throughout the event with trays of fresh cannoli shells and fill them to order, creating an interactive experience that is just as memorable as the dessert itself.
We specialize in weddings, corporate events, private parties, and special occasions where clients want something a little different from the traditional dessert station. Our focus is not just serving cannolis, it’s creating a moment. Guests often stop us to take photos, ask questions, and share stories about growing up with Italian desserts, which makes the experience even more personal.
What sets us apart is that we combine old-school Italian tradition with modern event entertainment. We are creating an experience that gets people talking. Every cannoli is filled fresh, right in front of the guest, so they receive the best possible product while enjoying the interaction.
What we are most proud of is seeing how excited people get when they see us at an event. Many guests have never experienced anything like it before, and that is exactly what we hoped for when we started. We built this business because we saw a gap in the Jacksonville market and wanted to bring something fun, memorable, and a little unexpected to local events.
At the end of the day, our goal is simple. Serve great cannolis, create great memories, and give guests an experience they will remember long after the event is over.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is having a happy family, being financially comfortable, and waking up every day excited about what I do. It’s having the freedom to spend time with the people I love without constantly worrying about money or feeling stuck in a job that I don’t enjoy.
From a business perspective, success is building something that people genuinely love and support while creating opportunities for growth and stability for the future. It is not necessarily about being the biggest company. It is about creating a life that feels fulfilling, balanced, and meaningful.
At the end of the day, if I can provide for my family, enjoy my career, and look back knowing I built something I’m proud of, I would consider that a success.
Pricing:
- Pricing starts at $350 depending on guest count, length of time, and distance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/thatcannoliguy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatcannoliguyfl
