Meet Vivian Hernandez-Jackson of Azucar in Ocean Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivian Hernandez-Jackson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Vivian. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been obsessed with baking and cooking since I was 8. I really never had a plan B or a desire to do anything else for a living. Feeding my family and friends was what brought me the most happiness so I decided very early on that I would be a chef when I grew up.

Being raised in Miami to Cuban parents we visited Cuban bakeries almost daily and dessert was a part of every meal. After graduating with a bachelors in Hospitality Management from FIU I left for London to study at Le Cordon Bleu. Shortly after I returned home to Miami I decided to take a job in San Diego teaching baking and culinary classes.

Five years later my husband and I decided to open Azucar in our own neighborhood of O.B. Living just up the hill from the shop there was really no from scratch bakeries in the neighborhood. I was convinced many others felt the need for a local bakery. Combining my Cuban heritage and the pastries I grew up enjoying my classical French training was so fun for me!

It has been amazing to see Azucar grow the last 10 years and every year we just get busier and busier. The surrounding community has been just so supportive and seeing everyone walking down the streets with their green boxes in tow is the best feeling ever!

Has it been a smooth road?
I would say the most difficult part of the business has been balancing raising my two girls and running every aspect of the bakery. There are many times that I simply need to choose one over the other but ultimately I am very grateful to get to do both.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Azucar – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Azucar specializes in modern desserts with a tropical influence. We sell morning pastries and scones that we are very well known for as well as Cuban style espresso drinks and Cubano sandwiches.

Many customers start their day with a Guava & Cream cheese pastelito and a Cafe con Leche or a Raspberry Passionfruit Scone. After school treats many times include a Salted Toffee Oatmeal cookie or a Strawberry cupcake.

After work, lots of locals stop by to grab dessert for dinner and our most popular is the Divina- a white chocolate souffle filled with passion fruit cream and raspberries frosted in a toasted marshmallow.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love that every neighborhood in San Diego is so different and special in its own way. I always venture out of OB on my days off and check out different eateries. Probably what I dislike is that lots of folks stay in the bubble of their neighborhoods and do not explore enough.

Contact Info:

• Address: 4820 Newport Ave
• Website: www.iloveazucar.com
• Phone: 6195232020
• Instagram: @iloveazucar
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ILoveAzucar

Image Credit:
Ash Gabes, Kevin McHugh, Kevin McHugh, Erin Jackson

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