Meet Alex Peña

I am Alissandro “Alex” Peña, a California native, a former Marine, a passionate Master Baker, a trained culinary chef, and a professional bread scientist.

While growing up in the Golden State, my family owned La Morenita, a beloved bakery in Cypress Park, where I spent years learning the art of traditional Mexican and Central American baking. Seeking to refine my craft, I enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu, where I learned the formal techniques of French cuisine. I spent the subsequent years managing Doña Rosa Bakery and working as a catering chef. Later, I transitioned to a research and development role with an international firm, where I traveled extensively and discovered new flavors and techniques. Today, I serve as the Director of Product Development at Bellarise, a leading supplier of bakery ingredients. In this role, I create innovative solutions as a Bread Scientist and provide expert guidance to companies across the globe.

As a result of the pandemic, I also launched an at-home baking school in 2023, sharing my love for pan dulce with beginner and professional bakers alike. From pan de muerto to bizcocho, I am excited to share the rich history of pan dulce with recipes that have been perfected over the decades in my upcoming cookbook, The Mexican Bakery, scheduled for publication in early 2024.

Meet the Baking Evolution Team

The baking school has continued to expand thanks to my partner and best friend, Karina Rico. As a marketing guru, sounding board, and most importantly, fellow pan dulce enthusiast, Karina has been a key ingredient in Baking Evolution's success. I am honored to continue to work together in bringing exciting projects to life.

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