About the owner

It all started when…

Thank you for visiting!

My name is Jennifer Veltri and I am the owner/baker of Balaboosta Bakes. I guess you could say my adventure started with a springform pan when I was 20 but really, being a Balaboosta is just in my blood. What's Balaboosta?? Let me define that for you.

A Balaboosta is a Yiddish term meaning “a Jewish perfect homemaker”. But it’s 2023 not 1943 so I am going to modernize the term. A Balaboosta is the female center of the household. She brings family and friends together through her cooking and baking. The joy, warmth and comfort that a family gathering brings to a Balaboosta’s heart is endless.

My Italian grandma was a Balaboosta (though not Jewish), she was the epicenter of our family. Her food, her love, her warmth, HER, was what brought us all together. We are who we are today because of her. When we had a gathering and Grandma was finally able to rest her feet, she would sit in a corner, watch all of us and smile. I now know what was going through her head at the time because I have found myself doing the same thing. When the gathering has reached its prime time and I can finally rest my feet, I will look around at everyone and soak in the love and togetherness the day has brought. I brought my family together, they are enjoying the food I made for them and enjoying each other's company.

I’ve had a Balaboosta heart since I was around 17 years old and I am proud to say a Balaboosta is who and what I am.