Who am I

I’m Sayda de Vicente, formerly known as Sayda Rapalo — a chef, entrepreneur, teacher, and proud mother of two boys, ages 17 and 6.

My journey began at the University of Texas at Arlington, where I studied Communication and Spanish. Soon after, wearing my beloved cowboy boots, I hosted an agricultural TV show that opened my eyes to the beauty of food from the land. Inspired by that experience, I became a teacher, sharing knowledge and guiding students.

But my passion for food kept calling. I returned to school to study Baking and Pastry at El Centro College and later pursued advanced training at Ferrandi Paris and the École Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie (ENSP) — two of the world’s best pastry schools in France.

From there, I opened my own bakeries and coffee shops, including Quixote Bakery, which was recognized in Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the USA (2019). I also worked in coffee importing, learning the importance of terroir and the journey from crop to cup.

Today, I bring all of this experience together — as a STEM teacher honored as STEM Coach of the Year and as a consultant helping others build their own bakeries, coffee shops, and restaurant concepts.

Through challenges and triumphs, one thing has never changed: my passion for creating, teaching, and leaving a legacy for my children and community.

A woman with brown eyes and dark hair, wearing makeup, a colorful headscarf, and a white chef jacket with the name Sayda de Vicente embroidered on it.
Group of five children and one adult woman standing on stage in front of a blue curtain, holding awards and medals, after winning first place in a student challenge event at Brandenburg Elementary. The children are wearing matching yellow t-shirts with the event logo, and the woman is smiling behind them.