Kouklet Bakehouse
Mardhory Cepeda is offering Astorians a
slice of sweetness from Brazil. The baker,
who studied at culinary school in Brazil, has
a ton of experience in the food industry: she
worked in restaurants, catering and fine dining
for about 10 years in both NYC and in
her native country.
Now, she’s starting something of her own
while staying true to her roots with Kouklet,
which to her means “to share love through
food.”
“I just felt it was time to share things that
truly came from the heart,” said Cepeda,
who owned a small cake shop in Brazil.
Kouklet offers cake rolls, inspired by a
Brazilian pastry called “Bolo de Rolo.” Traditionally,
they are filled with guava and
served with sharp cheese on top, but she
has expanded to include a large variety
including matcha, strawberry, passion fruit
and chai-spiced chocolate. The fruity flavors
fill layers of thin cake, and customers say
they enjoy the tasty balance, she said.
From her experience at farm-to-table
restaurants, she has learned to procure the
“freshest local ingredients possible.” Recently,
she added a vegan and gluten-free
“Everyday Cake” to her menu, based on customer
demand.
“People comment on how spongey and
comforting it tastes,” she said. “They are
surprised at the depth of chocolate in the
chocolate cake, and the bright orange taste
of the orange cake.”
Although Cepeda is from Brazil, her new
community of Astoria inspires and embraces
her business. The neighborhood, which she
calls a “melting pot,” welcomes new types
of food because it’s so open-minded, she
said. Her husband and family, including her
parents and younger sisters, help with the
business, and she bakes out of a communal
kitchen space in Long Island City, Entrepreneur
Space.
You can order the cakes online and
find them in seasonal popups. She
hopes to open her own cafe in the future
with “Brazilian-style pastries, delicious
coffee and communal vibes.”
KOUKLET BAKEHOUSE
KOUKLET.COM
INSTAGRAM: @KOUKLETLSL
FACEBOOK: KOUKLET
Photos courtesy of Kouklet Bakehouse
EXPLORE YOUR BORO
22 MARCH 2 0 1 9
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