From ABC7 New York · · 2m
Bob the Baker, from the courtroom to the oven
He spent 30 years prosecuting cases, then found what he really wanted to do at 4 a.m. in front of a bread oven.
In brief
He spent 30 years prosecuting cases, then found what he really wanted to do at 4 a.m. in front of a bread oven. A second act does not have to replace the first one. Robert Biancavilla baked on Saturdays for years while still trying cases, and let the new life grow until it took over. Originally reported by ABC7 New…
Badge, briefcase, then bread
Robert Biancavilla was a police officer, then a prosecutor for nearly 30 years. Now he runs Duck Island Bread Company in Huntington, Long Island, where regulars call him Bob the Baker.
People drive in for this
Customers make the trip every week from Long Beach and the Bronx for his bread and baked goods.
“I have people that come here on a weekly basis from Long Beach and from The Bronx.”
Everything made from scratch
They whip their own butter, fill brioche dough with diplomat cream, and build the chicken pot pies by hand. Simple ingredients, no shortcuts.
“our chicken pot pies are really special because we make everything from scratch”
Bread as a calling
He does not treat baking as a job. When a loaf comes out wrong it stings, but there is always tomorrow's bake.
“The good thing about it if it doesn't come out good today, we get to do it again tomorrow.”
Thirty years of tragedy
Three decades as a prosecutor gave him a front row view of the worst things people do to each other. That is the life the bakery followed.
“I've had a ring side seat to more human tragedy than I care to even remember.”
A newspaper ad changed it
He spotted an ad for an artisan bread baking course in Manhattan, signed up, and was hooked. Soon he was baking for the Northport Farmer's Market on the side.
“I was just hooked. I fell in love with bread baking.”
Closing arguments over baguettes
His first shop opened as a Saturday-only bakery because he was still trying cases. Rolling dough turned out to be good thinking time.
“I formulated more than one opening statement or more one closing argument while I was, you know, rolling out baguettes.”
A friendship over kaiser rolls
Judge Jerry Gargiulo, father of ABC7 reporter Joelle Gargiulo, first approached him during a court case to ask how he made his kaiser rolls. In the bakery, rank disappeared.
“oh, we're in the bakery. You call me Jerry”
Third act, maybe a fourth
A café serving breakfast and lunch is next. He does not call the bakery a second act, and he is not done counting.
“Probably my third, and I probably have another one in me.”
The main idea
A second act does not have to replace the first one. Robert Biancavilla baked on Saturdays for years while still trying cases, and let the new life grow until it took over.
