Photography by Tina Sargeant

Meet Beril Nar, baking handcrafted sweets in one of Lakeland’s beloved restaurants.

Beril is the daughter of Berna Nar, owner of Cafe Zupppina and The Market at Cafe Zuppina | Coffee & Dessert Shop. Beril is also a UCF alumna with a degree in hospitality and restaurant management. Today, Beril bakes all of the desserts sold at The Market at Cafe Zuppina | Coffee & Dessert Shop.

“I had no intentions of ever baking or even starting a career like that,” says Beril.

Left to Right, Beril Nar and Berna Nar

Previously, the French pastries sold at The Market at Cafe Zuppina | Coffee & Dessert Shop were sourced from a French Tampa bakery but the bakery closed their doors a few months ago and connected Beril and Berna with French Pastry Chef Matthieu.

Beril completed a two-month apprenticeship with Chef Matthieu and discovered her natural baking talent and ability to craft beautiful French pastries for her family’s businesses.

“I had no intentions of ever baking or even starting a career like that. My mom had always wanted me to visit Europe and take some type of chocolate course, just to learn — and it just hasn’t worked out. It really felt like this opportunity came right to our feet at the right time” says Beril.

“I love working with my parents. My mom is doing all of the cooking, and people are coming in for dinner and lunch and then staying for my pastries”. – Beril Nar

For now, Beril plans to continue her baking journey by providing house-made French pastries for The Market at Cafe Zuppina | Coffee & Dessert Shop. She looks forward to her future in baking and what that will bring, perhaps in Lakeland or beyond.

The Market at Cafe Zuppina | Coffee & Dessert Shop
4417 S. Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33813