Title: Owner
Company: Cafe Guarani
Location: Pacific Grove, California, United States
Liliana Rodas de Araujo, Owner at Cafe Guarani, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Food Service.
Ms. de Araujo, a distinguished culinary expert and business owner, has dedicated over three decades to her profession. As the owner of Café Guarani in Pacific Grove, since 2019, she has immersed herself in the daily operations of her business. Her day begins promptly at 4 a.m., when she begins baking, and continues until nightfall. Ms. de Araujo is also responsible for managing customer orders, running the kitchen and overseeing her employees, ensuring they are well-trained and efficient. Her commitment to excellence extends beyond the kitchen as she handles marketing efforts for the café to ensure its continued success.
Open six days a week, Café Guarani offers daily specials, sandwiches, chili, an assortment of empanadas, including vegetarian empanadas, cakes and more. Customers can also sip on various beverages, such as Yerba Mate, a traditional herbal tea from South America. A unique establishment, Café Guarani is the only café in the area that offers the same culture and food found in Ms. de Araujo’s home country of Paraguay.
Before establishing Café Guarani, Ms. de Araujo honed her skills in the bakery sector through various roles with wholesale bakeries, including CHOMP. Her professional journey also included a significant tenure in the health care sector at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, where she worked as a phlebotomist and technician for over a decade. During this time, Ms. de Araujo was recognized as a high-level technician, an achievement that remains one of her proudest moments. While working at the hospital, she also launched an online bakery called Liliana’s Cake, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and love for baking before ultimately pivoting into the field full-time.
Ms. de Araujo’s journey in the culinary world began after earning a diploma as a professional pastry chef in Paraguay in 1985. This foundational education was instrumental in shaping her career, allowing her to develop a deep understanding of baking and pastry arts. Ms. de Araujo’s passion for food and dedication to her craft have been key drivers of her success in business ownership.
In addition to her culinary pursuits, Ms. de Araujo has contributed to her community through various civic engagements. She is a generous donor to local schools, women’s health initiatives, food programs for people experiencing homelessness and her local church. These contributions reflect Ms. de Araujo’s commitment to giving back and supporting those in need.
Ms. de Araujo’s professional achievements have not gone unnoticed. She won first place in a professional telecontest. She was also recognized as one of the best restaurants in Pacific Grove, and her homemade chili was awarded first place for Best Professional Vegetarian Red Chili. These accolades underscore Ms. de Araujo’s expertise in cooking and running a successful business.
Looking ahead, Ms. de Araujo plans to expand Café Guarani by renting additional space to accommodate her growing customer base. She aims to connect with more patrons through her culinary creations while continuing to share the rich culture of her home country with others. Ms. de Araujo’s dedication to excellence and passion for food remain at the heart of all she does, and she looks forward to future success serving others throughout her community.
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