New town, new job
Former Madras man takes on bakery in Vale
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Monday, August 11, 2008 10:29 AM PDT
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| Samuel Cabral (left), who owns Breathtaking Baking ETC., Vale, stands at the front counter with Shawna Choin, who helps run the business. Cabral switched from cutting lumber in Madras to baking in Vale and loves the change. |
VALE — Samuel Cabral, Vale, owner of Breathtaking Baking ETC. is new to both the community and the bakery business, but he has found he enjoys both and plans to stay put.
“I’m from Madras,” he said. “This is a new experience.”
Originally from Mexico, Cabral worked in California and then moved to Oregon. Before deciding to move to Vale this year, he had worked in the lumber industry for about 20 years at a plant that cut lumber.
An opportunity to move near his son, who lives in Vale, came knocking, and Cabral took it.
“This business brought me closer to my son,” he said.
His former wife had started the business, and when he was in Vale visiting his son, Cabral learned she wanted to sell the bakery. Cabral decided that was his opening to come this way. His former wife had started the bakery in her home and just moved it downtown a few months ago, he said.
Though small, the business is not hard to find, situated at 192 A. St. E.
“I didn’t know how to make a doughnut,” he said. “I’ve been in Oregon many, many years. I did field work, picked fruit, the whole works. I’ve done it all.”
But he was never in the food service business, he said, and he credits the people he has hired for the business’ success.
“I will become an excellent baker,” he said. “It’s very challenging. I love challenges.”
For now, however, Cabral says he likes being the chief taster of the bakery’s products.
He starts work at 6 a.m. and the business closes at 7 p.m., but it seems like he puts in a 24-hour day, he said, adding he also makes the shopping trips for supplies.
“It’s complete commitment,” he said.
Cabral said he has no plans to move back to Madras and is content with the bakery business.
“My lumber days are over,” he said.
While Cabral had no previous experience in the food industry, Shawna Choin, also from Madras, who helps manage the bakery, worked in the food business for several years.
The business is more than just a bakery, however. The “ETC.” indicates there is more to their menu. They offer sandwiches, pizza, coffee and other beverages.
“Everything we bake is completely homemade,” Cabral said, and that includes the pizza crust.
Cabral and Choin like the move to Vale, commenting they find the people friendly and like the fact children feel safe to be out and about in the community.
