Today we’d like to introduce you to Ludmila Pena.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I fell in love with the bakery when I saw the Cake Boss program.I decided that I needed to learn how to work with cake decorating, at that time I lived in Portugal and started looking for classes, I did a class, I learned a little, but I did not continue practicing, a few months later I came to Florida. When I got here, I started making sweets on family birthdays and people liked and praised it then, I started thinking about making it my business. In Brazil, we have a classic party candy called, Brigadeiro, made with condensed milk, chocolate powder and butter. A few years ago, came the transformation of this sweet, with different ingredients and new flavors, I wanted to bring it here, leaving the cakes a little aside.
So, I started looking for new recipes, classes, I started to do tests until I got the product I have today. To about 3 years was born the Chocolate Atelier by Lu. But, I always did other things at the same time, I did not dedicate myself 100%, until October 2017, when I decided to dedicate myself totally to the Atelier.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been easy, there are many people in the party market, offering similar products, not of the same quality but with much less value. And, many people seek only the price, not quality. This often discouraged me, made me think of giving up but this is my dream, my passion, how to give up a dream?
Please tell us about Chocolate Atelier by Lu.
The specialty is Belgian brigadeiros, I made some changes in the original recipe, the base is still condensed milk and chocolate, but I use only Belgian chocolate, I do not use butter and we have different flavors. I also make cakes and by 2018, we will start a line of fine sweets such as bonbons and truffles. And, I’ll have filled Easter eggs for the first time.
What makes me proud is that all the customers who have tried it once and returned, this shows me that it is worth offering a quality product above all, working with high quality ingredients with love and detail, doing my best in every sweet.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I was always very shy and I had many doubts about what to do when I grow up. I remember always saying that I wanted to be a wife and mother and I enjoyed making desserts since I learned how to cook.
Contact Info:
- Phone: (561) 563-9359
- Instagram: chocolateatelierbylu
- Facebook: Chocoateatelierbylu
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