Rising from Adversity: Venezuelan Couple Craft Success with “Good Bread” Bakery in Brazil

Pacaraima, Brazil – At sunrise, the bakery’s door swings open, revealing an assortment of mouthwatering delights. The display case draws in locals who bustle about, leaving with bags of flavourful treasures. Nestled on a street corner in Pacaraima, a Brazilian town bordering Venezuela, it exudes the charm of a town committed to the motto, "Good Bread". With this promise proudly etched on its walls, the stage is set for a day filled with culinary delights.

Dora and Rene alternate between greeting customers at the counter and crafting fresh batches of bread in their kitchen. This familiar routine has been their life for the past five years, ever since they made the difficult decision to leave Venezuela with their children and a few precious belongings, family pets, and equipment from their previous business in a small trailer, embarking on a journey that would lead them to a new country and a fresh start.

Their arrival in Brazil in 2018 is a poignant milestone that still resonates emotionally. Navigating unfamiliar customs and culture, they embarked on a gradual process of building a new home in an unfamiliar place, working hard to convert their small living space into a bakery and a source of income.

"We are doing well here. Migrating was not easy, but I would tell Dora five years ago that she made the right decision. If we ever returned to Venezuela, I would always speak highly of Brazil because the people are very kind and have always treated us with respect," says Rene.

As time unfolded, the couple integrated into the community, cultivating new friendships. Their Venezuelan bread, heralded for its quality, quickly gained acclaim through word-of-mouth recommendations and the patronage of early customers, solidifying its status as one of the best in town. This success facilitates the acquisition of their current space for the bakery, named Virgen Maria del Vale.

"The Venezuelan product stands out significantly from its Brazilian counterpart, yet our commitment to baking drove our success. We started with our familiar thick-crusted bread, reminiscent of what we crafted in Venezuela. Surprisingly, the locals embraced it," Rene recalls when discussing pão de sal, a popular bread roll in South America.

With rising sales, the bakery expanded its offerings, incorporating Rene's mother's cherished recipes, including their homeland’s famed coconut bread. Quickly gaining popularity, this traditional delicacy became a coveted item at the bakery.

Responding to local preferences, the couple adapted to local taste, notably for pão de queijo (cheese bread), a term initially unfamiliar to them. Through experimentation, Rene crafted his unique version of cheese bread, a distinct yet delightful take on the traditional recipe. The menu also welcomed thin-crusted bread, boasting a soft texture and a golden butter crust akin to hot dog buns.

Each addition reflects the couple’s commitment to satisfying diverse tastes and creating a truly exceptional bakery experience.

"It was a whole process for us to get to know each other and understand Brazilian customs. It wasn't easy, but we overcame it," Dora says. "The bread dough is prepared the night before, and we begin baking as early as 4:00 in the morning so that we can open the bakery at 6:30 and serve freshly baked bread. By that time, we already have customers waiting."

The family’s newfound link with the local community is clear in their future plans: to stay in the border town of Pacaraima and support business expansion, which is already taking shape with the rental of a second facility for snack sales.

As the aroma of their success lingers in the air, Dora’s and Rene's journey stands testament to the power of resilience, passion and shared dreams. Through warm loaves and genuine smiles, they have created a culinary experience that crosses borders and brings communities together, embodying the spirit of unity and the universal language of food. The flavours of Venezuelan warmth have found a place in the hearts of the Brazilian community.