Sweet Sicily Bakery
Photo by Kimberly Ewertz
Saverio D ’ Anna , 56 , has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the world ’ s largest cassata ( Italian rum cake ). Another claim to fame for the Italian born pastry chef is his title of master chef in chocolate .
D ’ Anna left his home town of Palermo , Italy in 2015 in pursuit of his dream of opening a bakery in California with his partner . When it came time to secure the location for the bakery , D ’ Anna ’ s partner , who lived in Gilroy , convinced him they should open it there . So , in 2016 , Sweet Sicily celebrated its grand opening at 1280 First Street in Gilroy .
“ I didn ’ t know the city of Gilroy and after three years I love Gilroy ,” D ’ Anna said .
Soon after the bakery opened D ’ Anna ’ s partner dropped out of the business .
“ My partner , after two months , decide no good this store , no good this business and go another place ,” D ’ Anna said , adding that he ’ s managed the bakery on his own and is happy to be a part of the community .
“ I know the people of Gilroy . Like me Gilroy is relaxed ,” D ’ Anna said .
“ I no like the chaos and the traffic , no good for me . Gilroy is perfect .”
In addition to the opportunity of owning his own business , D ’ Anna ’ s motivation to move halfway around the world was his son , Antonio , 18 .
“ It ’ s important , the future of my son . In Italy in this moment , it ' s one nation in difficulty ,” he said .
Because the original location of the bakery was slated for the North Bay , Saverio , Antonio , and his wife of 20 years , Daniela , who he describes as “ my greatest love ,” reside in Redwood City .
For the past two years the D ’ Anna ’ s have commuted to and from Gilroy six days a week . Yet he seems quite content with his life and his business , crediting his passion for his work as a constant pleasure .
“ In this work , you are either crazy or you have a very , very , great love for it ,” D ’ Anna said .
“ I look at different cultures in Gilroy , Indian , Chinese , Tai , it ’ s important for me , the Italian culture in Gilroy .”
The Gilroy community appreciates his passion . They also appreciate his authentic pastries and pastas , especially his top seller , the cannolis , which D ’ Anna boasts are homemade . “ My store includes the history of Italy , the flour , the kitchen , the cake , the cooking , its original Italian product ,” D ’ Anna said .
28
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JUNE / JULY 2018 gmhtoday . com