New beginnings are sweet, especially for pastry chef Ana Sáenz.
One of Ana’s favorite memories of her childhood in Costa Rica was baking with her grandmother. “I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with her. I vividly remember the dedication and preparation she put into every party, spending countless hours in the kitchen to ensure everything was perfect. That kind of passion stuck with me over the years.”
When Ana and her husband relocated to Northwest Arkansas in 2015, Ana found herself at an inflection point. “My career had been in business administration, and I wanted to make something different with my life here in the U.S.”
She discovered Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, through friends.
A reimagination of a traditional culinary school, Brightwater goes one step further. It offers academic and career training in the areas of culinary nutrition, artisanal food, beverage management and food entrepreneurship.
“I was doing a little research, and a lot of people were recommending the place,” she says. “It has such a professional atmosphere.”
After her very first class, she says that Brightwater “took me to my happy place.”
Brightwater is one of a number of organizations expanding pathways to new and fulfilling careers for all Northwest Arkansas residents. The Walton Family Foundation supports Brightwater and others as they work to train and match skilled workers and entrepreneurs with local employers and opportunities.
At Brightwater, Ana learned not only the technical elements of professional baking, but how to pair ingredients, determine nutrition information and, critically, how to run a business. “Brightwater brought so much value to my career. You really learn what food is all about,” says Ana.
Following the completion of her studies, Ana launched The Magical Spatula, an online bakery and catering operation. Beyond traditional chocolate ganache and vanilla buttercream, The Magical Spatula specializes in bringing the flavors of Costa Rica into each recipe. From guava jam to alfajores, a shortbread sandwich cookie, Ana says she is proud to “share my culture, traditions, and my tita’s love for baking.”
Ana supports her community by sourcing ingredients from local vendors and fostering awareness of Latin culture in the region.
The Magical Spatula’s biggest seller? Custom cakes. “People have crazy idea for cakes. And I love the challenge. I love bringing them to life.”
Several years after completing her Brightwater program, Ana has returned as part-time faculty. “I had the privilege of being a graduate, and now being back as part of the faculty is such an honor.”
Ana says her experience at Brightwater has impacted her life in a number of positive ways. Taking the knowledge she gained at Brightwater, “I’m able to do what I love and apply that to a professional career.”
These days, Ana chats with her grandmother back in Costa Rica regularly about the business inspired by her recipes. “I tell her what we baked that day. And she’s like, 'Oh my god, you are really doing this?’ Yeah, I'm really doing it. And people loved it.”
