Dine and Discover Queens: Patty Castrogiovanni - Special Sweets

It’s “Dine and Discover Queens” time! “Dine and Discover Queens” is a monthly spotlight on some of the best food options from around the borough! This month’s featured business is Special Sweets, a cupcakery brought to life by a remarkable team of individuals with Autism and various intellectual and developmental disabilities. Patty Castrogiovanni is the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization. To learn more, go to https://www.specialsweets.org/.   

What inspired the creation of your business, and how did you get your start?

Our team is made up of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, working side by side with their instructors and longtime volunteers—many of whom have been collaborating since grammar school. When these students aged out of the public school system in June 2021, they faced an unemployment rate of over 80% for individuals with similar disabilities. Determined to turn their passion into purpose, they put their baking skills to work and launched a business. Inspired by a love for baking nurtured during their Life Skills classes, they opened the cupcakery in their teacher’s Westbury kitchen. 

Are there any community events or initiatives in Queens that your restaurant has been a part of? 

We’re committed to giving back by supporting other individuals with disabilities who are still in the school system. Through our mentorship program with the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), our Cupcake Crew works with students from various BOCES schools, teaching them how to bake our signature cupcakes and other sweet treats. 

Is there anything special you would like to share with your Queens audience? 

We are hosting our second annual Spring Fling on May 4, 2025, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Garden City Senior Center, located at 6 Golf Club Lane. Tickets are $45, and caretaker or parent tickets are free. Join us and share an afternoon of food, dancing, singing, and meeting new friends.