 
Dianne's King Cakes |
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  ABOUT USDianne's King Cakes is the partnership of three New Orleanians with three very different backgrounds. Dianne R., John Caluda and Wally Pontiff. Dianne brings 20 years of experience in king cake bakery management, knowledge, and personality. John brings 25 years of culinary and pastry and king cake experience and Wally brings enthusiasm and a love of all people and for all things New Orleans and he loves king cake. Together with the help of state of the art equipment, the finest ovens, and years of king cake business knowledge and bakery experience, they are dedicated to the production of the finest Mardi Gras king cakes in the city.Dianne Dianne worked and managed a previous king cake bakery for over 15 years and is now venturing out on her own. Dianne also works as a certified court reporter during the off season. But her most important job is being a Mother of 3 beautiful kids, Lindsay, Mickey, and Amy. They have always been involved in the king cake bakery and this bakery is no exception. They are all up to their necks in king cakes and enjoying every minute of this new venture. John Caluda Many of you may know John from the cafe and bakery he operated for over 15 years, The Coffee Cottage on Metairie Road and Citrus in Harahan. John is a local guy who went to school here in Metairie at St. Benilde and Archbishop Rummel High School, attened UNO but finished his education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Upon graduating from the CIA he apprenticed in the pastry shops of the Royal Sonesta and became head baker at the Western Hotel. From there, John became the pastry cook at the Royal Orleans Hotel where he was later promoted to Pastry Chef. In1990 John opened the Coffee Cottage and was known for fresh hand-crafted pastries. Some of the Coffee Cottage's specialties were their scones, almond croissants, praline coffee cake, chocolate eclairs, tiramisu, mousse cakes, strawberry napoleons and seasonal items such as their wonderfully decorated and tasty yule logs, king cakes and their famous crawfish king cake. John also particapates in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with his signature crawfish strudel and white chocolate bread pudding. John has appeared in Great Chef's Great Cites and Great Chefs of the New Guard. He now runs his own catering company Cottage Catering right behind the old Citrus location and is partner/bakery manager of the new company Dianne's King Cakes. A side note about John is that he has studied Shotokan karate for over 35 years and is a 5th degree black belt. At one point he was national champion for over 10 years and was captain of several American teams representing the United States in several world championships. Wally Pontiff Wally is the man with both the plan and the connections who brought the three together. Wally was a loyal customer of Coffee Cottage and the Caluda's got to know him when he started training their son Nico through the Wally Pontiff Baseball Camp. Nico convinced Coach Wally to teach him privately and they all became very close friends. After Katrina, the Pontiffs let the Caludas live with them while they repaired their home. Wally knew Dianne through a mutual friend and Dianne helped Wally with several projects. |
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