Today we’d like to introduce you to Meir Halfon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I believe i was destine to be a baker, at young age i had weak hands and as part of therapy my mom let me knead the dough to make my fingers and hands stronger. I started with culinary school thru working for diff bakeries and restaurants some high end ons, but when i arrive to America for about 15 years i worked with diff jobs unrelated to food. When i moved to Tampa and realized that there is not one single kosher restaurant here i decided to open one but bakery was my ultimate goal so when the opportunity to partner with the Tampa JCC and open a bakery in their facility, Crembo was born
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all smooth.
Main challenge we face is how to appeal to customer who dont keep kosher since the jewish community that follow kosher are relatively small.
Our location is kind of hidden from the public eye so we have to be a destination bakery rather than the place u stop on the way to work to grab your coffee and pastry.
Thats from marketing stand point.
Food wise we use very specific ingredient that are certified kosher and cannot be found locally so it took time to figure out where and how to ship things to Tampa without compromising quality
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a baker and pastry chef and thats what i am known for. I specialize in Artisanal bread from sourdough to challah or to our flagship product the Jerusalem bagel.
I am most proud of being able to do something i have passion for.
What sets me apart from others:
1. Crembo is the only kosher bakery in Tampa Bay therefore we are mission driven to provide kosher space to those of follow it and we love education about the subject. Our mission is to show that kosher does not mean compromising quality
2. My baking influenced by my education (french pastry) and my heritage- jewish/ Israeli & Moroccan
What makes you happy?
To know there is positive impact for my work.
We all want to make good living me included but its special to make an impact on People’s lives. So when a family that keep kosher visit Tampa and they find out we exist to see their relief and joy makes me happy. To knkw that people in the community have at least one place they can find traditional holiday items.
Why? Because it gives me a purpose higher than income
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.crembobakery.com
- Instagram: Crembo_bakery
Image Credits
Many pixel photography
Alexis Marie photo
