Cooking with a family touch – Our communities

Stock Exchange District

Even though La Panaderia only opened its doors two weeks ago, the Mexican bakery is already buzzing with family hubbub.

On the morning of February 22, owner and founder Brenda Hernandez stands behind the cash register at La Panaderia store at 213 Princess St. with a tray of merchandise in progress, while her daughter, Carla Langston, makes another attempt to understand the Espresso machine.

It’s a family business, Hernandez said, represented not only by the baked goods but also by the friendly banter while creating them.

Hernandez has been cooking since she was a teenager. It’s a passion she brought to Winnipeg after leaving Mexico 10 years ago. Today, with the help of her four children and the support of her husband, she wants to give everyone who enters this space a taste of Mexican culture, cuisine and colors.

“Most of my dishes are Mexican pastries,” Hernandez said. “I don’t know if I can say traditional because, here in Canada, nothing is traditional. First of all, it is difficult to find the ingredients, or the recipes. I tried to modify (and) give people the most Mexican version that I could make myself.

The bakery offers a wide selection of baked goods. An early favorite was the churro cheesecake, Hernandez said. It’s not based on a “classic” churro recipe, but the soft-textured square of goodness is the best of both worlds.

After cooking for so long, the 46-year-old can admit that she can only tolerate small tastes of sweets. His favorite dish is Molletes, an appetizer that tops bread with beans and cheese.

“I love it,” she said. “But for example, if I make 20 different kinds of bread a day, I have to taste (each one).” Over time, she got used to having a little bit of everything, because there is a lot.

Hernandez aims to give every visitor a taste of Mexico, she said, in any way possible. The interior walls of the bakery are already decorated with all kinds of artwork, from murals to piñatas.

Although she doesn’t consider herself an artist, Hernandez created everything there is to see, including a portrait of famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo on the wall behind the kitchen. It was his first painted portrait, created with the help of his 12-year-old daughter. On the wall next to the door are a set of different hearts, made of various materials: some are stones, others are fabric, and all are labeled with friendly and supportive messages. Hernández forced them to distract themselves during the opening phase of the bakery, because otherwise all she could think about was that.

No matter where you look, there’s a touch of family and home, which sets it apart from other businesses, Hernandez said.

“People ask, ‘What’s different?’ about us, and the people who come here, (they) can talk with us. We have people who love to talk and who love to tell cool things about our hometown… If you go to a (bakery chain), people are so busy working (and can’t talk), and here – no – we are family,” she said. “I think that’s what’s different…you can hear us and you feel like you’re part of the family.”

Although it’s a work environment, Hernandez considers it her home, she said.

“My soul is here. I tried to pull like a piece of Mexico. I know I need to post a lot more stuff, but around every corner you’ll find something. I want people to feel like they’re back in Mexico. This is what I want to do.

La Panaderia is active on Instagram: @lapanaderiawpg

Emma Honeybun

Emma Honeybun is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. She graduated from RRC Polytech’s Creative Communications program, with a concentration in journalism, in 2023. Email her at emma.honeybun@freepress.mb.ca

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