Growing up, Jimmy and Anthony Cavallo learned the pastry business from their grandfather who owned and operated 10 bakeries in their native Montreal, Canada. Later, Jimmy continued his training in pastry school, while Anthony continued to train alongside his grandfather to hone his skills.
When the brothers moved to the United States, they brought their pastry chef education and experience with them. In 2007, they purchased Josef’s European Pastry Shop on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods after Joseph Bogosian, the original owner, retired.
Josef’s has been an institution in Grosse Pointe since 1971, and had won many awards and accolades, including being recognized in 2002 by AAA Michigan Living Magazine as “Best Bakery in Michigan” and receiving The Detroit News’ 2007 “Best of the Best” Best Bakery Award. When the two took over the shop, Jimmy had already been working there for a year, learning from Joe and developing his own skills even more.
Jimmy and Anthony, who also live in Grosse Pointe, were excited to add their own Italian influences such as Cannoli Tortes, Biscotti, sandwiches, authentic espresso, and cappuccino to the predominantly French-inspired menu. They even developed Miscela Cavallo, their own full-bodied coffee blend made from beans from Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Indonesia.
Specialty foods from all over Europe became a staple on the shelves as well. These include rich spreads, vegetables seasoned to perfection, and premium cheeses so customers can bring that European flair to their own kitchens to delight their family and friends.
“Joe loved what we did with the shop and was very proud,” says Jimmy. “Before he passed away, he would come in every Monday, and his wife still comes to the shop a couple of times a week.”
In 2008, the shop made The Knot’s 2008 Best of Weddings list, and in 2024, the Grosse Pointe News Voted Josef’s European Pastry Shop the Best Bakery. “It makes us feel good because everyone who works here works very hard,” he says.
Adds Anthony, “Baking is our passion and one of the things we enjoy the most, along with interacting with customers and the great community we’re in.”
One online review states, “This is the absolute best pastry shop/bakery in the Detroit area. From the cakes to the breakfast pastries, everything here is top-notch. The selection is huge, and the staff is very friendly and courteous. This is where you want to go to wow your guests with a cake. They’re one of a kind!”
When not busy in the shop, the brothers love getting together with family and friends for good conversation and great food.
“My other passion is making Neapolitan pizza for family and friends,” says Jimmy. “For the last four to five years, we’ve been getting together for pizza once a week.”
The pizza is made at home in his pizza oven, which is conveniently located in his garage. He changes it up according to the season and what his guests request. “In the fall, I use wild mushrooms and Italian sausage, but a favorite is the Margherita,” he says.
Anthony’s absolute favorite is the four-season pizza. “It has four different toppings on four different parts of the pizza. There’s ham, mushrooms, artichokes, olives, and an egg in the middle.”
In addition to their friends, there’s always a family crowd on pizza night. Anthony calls the number of kids between himself and Jimmy “having our own baseball team.” He and his wife Maria have two sons—20-year-old Gianlorenzo and 17-year-old Francesco. Both have worked in the pastry shop in the past.
Jimmy and his wife Anna have four children – 18-year-old Claudio, 16-year-old Giulia, 12-year-old Raffaella, and 6-year-old Gabriella. The two oldest currently work in the pastry shop too.
“They all learn the value of work,” says Anthony.
While their parents still live in Montreal, they’ll visit a couple times a year and, of course, attend the pizza parties.
In addition to pizza night, the family also gets together for tomato canning in the fall. “We can every year for everything we use at our homes, including pizza sauce and pasta sauce,” says Anthony. “We alternate houses, and it’s a real family affair. Even the kids get involved.”
The brothers truly enjoy working together every day. “It’s great,” says Jimmy. “We really have a good relationship.”
The two also love carrying on their grandfather’s legacy of providing rich and delicious pastries, sandwiches, and beverages to the people in the community.
JosefsPastryShop.com
When Jimmy and Anthony Cavallo, French-speaking brothers with an Italian heritage from Montreal, Canada, took over the iconic Josef’s European Pastry Shop in Grosse Pointe Farms, they incorporated their own unique flair. Known for its amazing French-inspired pastries, they added Italian-style sweets and savories to the menu. They even created their own exclusive coffee blend so customers can enjoy an authentic espresso or cappuccino.
Whether looking for pastries for an everyday treat, a small party, or an extravagant wedding, Jimmy and Anthony can create what’s needed to delight everyone’s tastebuds.
Perusing the menu is a mouth-watering experience, with its buttery and flaky croissants, pies bursting with fresh fruits, wonderful cookies, decadent cakes, and delicious tortes to rich quiches, pot pies, salads, and Italian-inspired sandwiches.
“We have authentic Italian and French pastries.”
“Baking is our passion and one of the things we enjoy the most…”