Ferrara's Bakery and Cafe Unveils World's Largest Cannolo Today at the Feast of San Gennaro

If Ernest LePore, owner of Little Italy's world renowned Ferrara's Bakery and Café is correct in his calculations, he will unveil the "World's Largest-Known Cannoli" this afternoon, Sept. 20, at 2 PM on the FIAT Performance Stage at the corner of Grand & Mott Streets in Little Italy.

For weeks he and a team of bakers, engineers and construction workers have been Stagein slaving over drawing boards from New York to Atlanta, laying out plans for creating a giant-sized edible cannoli which will exceed 12 feet in length and contain approximately 300 pounds of cannoli cream!

"If we are successful, we are hoping that our IL Grande Cannolo will be recognized as the world's largest on record!"

In order to make that happen, LePore and his team of bakers will have to successfully bake and fry the 12 foot cannoli shell in his factory in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and then safely transport the shell inside a large rented truck that is well padded and driven slowly, very slowly - perhaps by Ernest himself -- to Little Italy before Saturday morning, September 20. Upon arrival, there will be a team of bakers standing by with large vats of freshly made cannoli cream, ready to fill the gigantic shell. The large empty shell will be carefully lowered onto an extra- large table (at least 40" wide) that is being made specifically for this occasion and will be positioned in front of Ferrara's, located at 195 Grand Street, between Mott and Mulberry Streets.

The public is invited to come and witness the filling of THE FERRARA IL GRANDE CANNOLO and the unveiling ceremony, which will include music by Cristina Fontanelli. Francesca Cavaliere, Little Italy's own Red Mike Festival Band and Gianni Russo, who will also emcee the event. The musical program will begin at 12 noon. At the conclusion of the unveiling ceremony, Ferrara's employees will distribute free cannoli to the assembled crowd.

"I am praying to San Gennaro that everything will go as planned," says Ernest, a fifth generation member of the LePore family that has owned and operated the bakery/café at this same location since it was established in 1892 by Antonio Ferrara & Enrico Scoppa, Ernest LePore's great grandfather, as America's first espresso bar. "I've always enjoyed challenges and this one has been especially fascinating. I've been at the drawing table every night designing the plans, spending hours at the factory with our bakers experimenting with a variety of recipes for the shells, creating different sized models and experimenting with recipes for the shells. They have to be sturdy and flexible enough not to break or crack when the cannoli cream is inserted. Everything has to be exact. There's no room for any mistakes! Holy Cannoli!"

Located in the heart of Little Italy, Ferrara has remained a family owned business since its inception, offering a variety of Italian delicacies, including cakes, cookies, pastries, desserts and gourmet specialty items, including cannoli, of course.

"We sell thousands of cannoli every day," says Ernest. Many of their items can also be purchased on their web site (www.ferraracafe.com) and shipped throughout the United States. "Please come enjoy Ferrara and the Feast of San Gennaro. Mille Grazie," says Ernest LePore.

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