"When things were bad, I baked chocolate cake"

" I remember my early days here in Germany well. Very well, in fact. My new life began on 25 May 2013. I was 17 years old. I followed my mum, who left Brazil when I was 13 and moved here to live with her new partner. Here, I started from absolutely nothing. I couldn’t even speak German.

It was a difficult time. Lots of highs and lows. I suffered setbacks, experienced racism, battled with German bureaucracy. I didn’t feel at home here for a long time. I scraped by with a variety of jobs, applying for work as a cleaner, a kitchen hand and a shop assistant. I wasn’t afraid of hard work. I learnt at an early age to be responsible for my own life. Here in Germany, I realised that I love cooking and baking.

I inherited my love of patisserie and confectionery from my grandad. I used to spend hours watching him at work in the bakery. In Brazil, there was a time when I struggled with my mental health. That’s when I started baking chocolate cake in grandad’s kitchen. It was my therapy, and it helped. When things were bad, I baked chocolate cake. I remembered this when I was in Germany. Suddenly, everything fell into place. ‘Maria,’ I said to myself, ‘you can achieve anything you want. You are young. You have children, but also a supportive husband. What are you waiting for? Look to the future!’
And so began my journey. From course to course, step by step. I attended seminars and classes, despite the sceptical voices around me: ‘Maria, this isn’t going to work. You need a degree, an education, qualifications.’ But I refused to be put off. I attended further education courses in my holidays and free time. I saved until I had the money I needed.

Patisserie courses in Brazil and Italy, fondant courses in Portugal – I wanted to learn. I wanted my cakes not only to taste good but to look mesmerizing. My more recent trip was to Paris, to the famous ‘Le Cordon Bleu’ cookery school.

I still remember my job interview at METRO. I was honest. I laid all my cards on the table. ‘I am the mother of two children. They will always be my first priority, but when you need me, I’ll be there. Completely. I don’t do anything by halves. And yes, I am also loud. I’m full of energy!’ I thought I’d blown it. But then I got the call. They wanted me. After six months in the dishwashing section, I was offered the opportunity to move to the event and catering team. My boss Dirk Wittau asked whether I fancied trying something new. What a question! I want to grow with the company. Now I make desserts and have specialised in patisserie.

METRO will soon celebrate its 60th anniversary . I am here, ready, with my team. For the dessert. For the final event, without which no meal would be complete. We intend to take Germany on a culinary journey to Brazil. All with METRO own brands. We have incredible products! Only one main ingredient comes directly from Brazil – that’s the only place you can get it. I’m going to show who Maria is. My heart and soul is in this dessert.

My colleagues are the best. Conny is a machine, Dirk a role model, Chris a super chef. We work together and support one another. We’re more than a team: we’re a family. I’m going to meet Alex Atala, the top Brazilian chef at the celebrations. He is a star, a role model. And me? Who am I to be helping to create a menu for the gala with top chefs? The enormity of it has suddenly scared me. Me, the little Brazilian, from a humble background with no formal education. But my colleagues reassure me: you are Maria from Brazil – don’t forget who you are and what you can do. My biggest battle has been with myself, to stop putting myself down. But when you have your ingredients, your team around you, there’s no need to be scared. I just have to focus on what I can do. This work is not just my job. It’s my passion, my dream.

I’ve done it, Grandad. I’ve done it!"