Alessi Bakeries’ heritage dates back to 1912, when Nicolo Alessi came over from Sicily, opened a small bakery and later brought his family to Tampa, FL, because he liked the region so much. His son John Alessi then started his own bakery. In turn, John’s son Phil Alessi Sr. started working in his father’s shop when he was 6 years old. When he turned 16, Mr. Alessi Sr. opened what was then called Phil’s Bakery.

Like his father, Phil Alessi Jr. began working in the bakery when he was 6 years old, too. Mr. Alessi Jr., now the CEO of Alessi Bakeries, attributed the family’s success to its passion for the baking industry and for those who came before him. “Here I am, the fourth generation,” he said. “We share a nice reputation in the community. If it weren’t for my great-grandfather and all of the work he did, I would not be in the position I am today. Obviously, we work very hard at what we do.”