Jossete Rivera opened her lovely bakeshop, Jossi’s Bakery (9210 Broadview Rd., 440-736-7048), three years ago in Broadview Heights. But her culinary journey began many years prior as a home-based business.
“It took me 18 years to get here, but it was pure love from my family, who were always pushing me to do this,” she explains. “Before coming here, we were living in Trinidad and Tobago but it was always my dream to open a bakery in United States.”
Rivera says that over the course of her life and travels she has been exposed to a broad range of cultures, flavors and cooking styles. While she identifies as Latina, the pastry chef looks much farther afield when it comes to preparing her roster of sweet and savory foods.
“My style is a fusion of European and Latin American flavors,” she says.
Look no further than her take on the Portuguese pastéis de nata, which she fills not with the typical custard but dulce de leche. She prepares South American alfajores, Puerto Rican polvorones and Italian cannoli, but also red velvet cupcakes from the American South.
Rivera says that in order to gain broader baking experience and better familiarity with American tastes, she worked at Giant Eagle for three years.
“Some people come here and say, ‘This coconut cream pie is the best. It reminds me of my grandmother,’” she states. “For me, that’s a huge compliment because I’m not from here.”
Her Argentinian-style empanadas are available with various fillings, she makes Greek-style spinach and feta pies, and flaky potato puffs.
All those treats and more will soon be available in Tremont (720 Literary Rd.) as the family is working together to open a new bakery and cafe. The shop will be geared to breakfast and brunch service with great coffee, breakfast empanadas and a host sweet and savory bites. Son Carlos will be running the bakery.
“We’re excited about the Tremont location because we’ll be able to offer even more exotic flavors,” says Carlos.
Look for Jossi’s Bakery Tremont to open sometime in June. There will be no changes at the original bakery in Broadview Heights.
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