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
Sweet Sicily Bakery
S
averio 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.”
28
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
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