She Keeps Building
The first time we wrote about Hafsa, Marbré lived in her Brooklyn apartment. She had two young boys and a full-time job, so the baking happened late, once the kids were asleep, in whatever hours were left.
She grew up in France, born in Senegal, in a home where pastries were ordinary and good. Her father would bring them back after school. As a child she made gâteau au yaourt so many times that her family started teasing her. They ate every one.
The madeleine
In New York, the oven became a way back to that kitchen. She chose the madeleine, a small and humble thing, and gave it all her attention. Pop-ups came, then orders, then collaborations, and people kept coming back.
The morning the doors opened
This year, Marbré opened its own bakery in Park Slope. Most days the pastries sell out.
Her boys were there for all of it, from the late nights in the apartment to the morning the doors opened.
“To my kids, I hope you see that your mother kept showing up even when no one was watching.”
With love,
Kenza
