Wednesday, 09 September 2026 09:17 AM
Company Update
SURPRISE, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / September 9, 2026 / Marquis Who's Who is proud to honor Eugene Gentile for his distinguished contributions to the bakery industry, food service and entrepreneurship. Mr. Gentile's recognition reflects more than five decades of dedication to his craft, a commitment to quality and a family-inspired work ethic that continues to shape his business, My Daddy's Italian Bakery & Café.
Mr. Gentile has served as owner of My Daddy's Italian Bakery & Café in Surprise, Arizona, since 2003. Over 23 years leading the business, he has developed particular expertise in product merchandising while remaining closely involved in nearly every aspect of the bakery's operations. His commitment to quality and service has helped the bakery earn recognition as Best Bakery in Arizona in 2018, 2020 and 2025.
In an interview with Marquis Who's Who, Mr. Gentile said his career in baking began at just 12 years old, when he started working alongside his father, Renato Gentile, at Renato's Bakery in New York. His father became both his mentor and greatest professional influence, teaching him the work ethic, business knowledge and professionalism that have guided him throughout his career. Before opening his own bakery, Mr. Gentile spent years working in different bakeries and developing the practical experience he would eventually use to build a business of his own.
The opportunity to become an entrepreneur came when Mr. Gentile discovered a bakery for sale and decided to pursue it. Opening My Daddy's Italian Bakery & Café independently remains the professional accomplishment of which he is most proud. Drawing on decades of accumulated knowledge, he created a business centered on traditional baking, fresh products, consistency and customer service.
Mr. Gentile remains deeply involved in the day-to-day work. During his Marquis Who's Who interview, he described himself as the person who "does it all," handling much of the baking, cake decorating and merchandising while his wife oversees scheduling and front-end responsibilities. The bakery employs 12 people, and Mr. Gentile considers his employees an extension of his family.
Freshness is central to the bakery's identity. Mr. Gentile specializes in Italian pastries and says the bakery prepares its products from scratch on the premises each day, using the best ingredients available. My Daddy's Italian Bakery & Café has become particularly known throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area for its cannoli. Its extensive selection includes donuts, Danishes, cookies, cakes and Italian pastries, along with sandwiches prepared on house-made bread, frozen pastas and ready-to-eat meals like lasagna made in-house.
Mr. Gentile has also adapted the business to changing dietary needs. He offers certain gluten-free and no-nut products and emphasizes labeling and communication about ingredients and possible allergen exposure. For him, remaining successful means maintaining consistent taste and presentation while continuing to learn about and master new products.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Gentile has volunteered with My Natural Hope, supported the Wounded Warrior Project and donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, collecting electric model trains and appreciating classic cars.
Mr. Gentile emphasizes perseverance. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is not to give up on their dreams and desires because persistence can eventually create the opportunity they have been working toward. He also credits his wife and employees for helping make his long career possible, noting that the success of the bakery has never been his achievement alone. "Treat your customers right, and they'll treat you right," he says. "Treat your employees right, and they'll treat you back just as nice. With my employees, I try to look at them all as family. They're all my family."
Looking ahead, Mr. Gentile hopes to continue growing My Daddy's Italian Bakery & Café while finding and training the right baker to assume more of his responsibilities so he can eventually move toward semi-retirement. His focus remains on preserving the standards, relationships and traditions that have sustained the business for more than two decades.
"Eugene Gentile exemplifies the caliber of entrepreneur and craftsman Marquis Who's Who is proud to chronicle," the editorial team stated. "His dedication to traditional baking, product quality, family values and customer relationships reflects a career built through perseverance, experience and pride in his craft." Through its recognition of Mr. Gentile, Marquis Who's Who celebrates a dedicated business owner whose work continues to bring Italian baking traditions and a strong sense of community to Surprise, Arizona.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who