Additional Coverage:
- A Venice pastry shop owner was sworn to secrecy about the big wedding he catered this week. Here’s what he could say. (businessinsider.com)
A Venetian pastry chef found himself at the center of the pre-wedding buzz surrounding Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s nuptials. Antonia Rosa Salva, owner of the historic Rosa Salva bakery, was hired to prepare gift bags for a high-profile wedding in Venice this weekend, only discovering the identity of the couple two weeks ago. Bound by a confidentiality agreement, Salva couldn’t initially name the couple, but acknowledged he was aware of the controversy surrounding the Bezos-Sanchez wedding and the protests it has attracted.
Despite the concerns about overtourism and the anti-Bezos sentiment, Salva believes the wedding is beneficial for Venice and its businesses, including his own family’s bakery, which has been operating since 1870. He pointed out that Venice, with its abundance of hotels, is well-suited to host large events, and that his bakery frequently caters to them. He cited a recent 400-guest event, twice the size of the Bezos wedding, that generated no protests.
Salva expressed his belief that everyone should have the right to celebrate their wedding in Venice. “Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world,” he stated.
“I think everyone has the right to get married, to come to Venice, or to have a party or stay in Venice.” He also expressed pride in his bakery being chosen for this high-profile event.