At the beginning of the twentieth century, Augustino Conti arrived in New York. He had left Italy armed only with his faith in the American Dream and an encyclopedic knowledge of the cookies and cakes that were the pride of his native Parma. He quickly found work in a bakery, and in 1921, he risked everything he had earned and saved to open his own bakery in the Italian-American neighborhood nestled between the Van Nest and Morris Park sections of the Bronx. His shop, A. Conti, incorporated not only Italian favorites like cannoli and torcetti, but also French pastries like napoleons and cream puffs.
His daring paid off, and he quickly established himself as the premiere baker during a time when a local pastry shop was at the center of the community. Families gathered around the soda fountain counter. Young couples who fell in love over Conti’s cookies turned to Conti’s for the elaborate wedding cakes Augustino was designing—fantastic confections of exquisite tiers and delicate swags.
Augustino baked the most delicious cakes and pies, experimenting, innovating, making the custards and fillings lighter, creamier, and more irresistible. Conti’s fluffy Boston Cream pie, Augustino’s favorite twist on tradition, is still made with original secret recipe. For three generations, the bakery was owned by the Conti family, who continued to make the pastries and Italian butter cookies from the treasured recipes Augustino had worked so hard to create. And children who had loved Conti’s pastries would grow up to bring their own children to Conti’s. Long-time fans include Regis Philbin of “Live With Regis and Kelly”, who recently gave his co-host one of Conti’s famous black-and-white cookies.
In 2001, Augustino’s grandson Orlando passed 80 years of tradition (and secret recipes!) to another family committed to preserving the quality and homestyle baking of Conti’s. The beautiful bakery retains many of its original details: hand-stapled tin ceilings, gorgeous wood walls, terrazzo floors, and the original marble soda fountain installed in 1928. In fact, Conti’s was chosen as the location for the 2008 film Doughboys because of its nostalgic look. The new owners bake the same celebrated goods that Conti’s has always offered, made with the same high-quality, natural ingredients, and add a little bit of love to every bite.
If you want Conti’s baked products to enhance the menu of your café or restaurant, contact us for wholesale pricing and information!
