We were lucky to catch up with Paola Recht-Hirsch recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Paola thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success, especially in our industry, is built on three key pillars: the quality of your product, the atmosphere you create, and the relationships you nurture. It’s more than serving great food; it’s about crafting an experience that keeps people coming back. When we envisioned bringing the Belén de la Cruz Empanadas & Pastries experience to Savannah, we knew we wanted to create a gathering space where delicious, homemade food ignites connections, where friendships grow over empanadas and pastries that are truly “Baked with Love.” It might sound old-fashioned, but that personal touch is at the heart of our success. We’re not just serving food; we’re building relationships. When customers feel like they belong, they return, time and time again. My café in Buenos Aires, became more than just a place to grab a bite—it was a community hub for locals. They gathered to enjoy homemade food, and connected with us and with each other. Now, we’re starting to see that same magic happen at our East Liberty Street location in Savannah, GA. There’s a couple who comes in every weekend – they’ve become such loyal fans of our empanadas that they surprised us with a special artwork to celebrate our first month in business. Another memorable experience was when a lady visiting from out of state stopped in for a quick bite. She was so delighted by her experience that she ran back to her tour group and brought them all to the store that same day, with blue and white balloons in the Argentine flag colors! There’s no greater compliment than seeing people return and bring their friends because the food is so good and they feel so welcome, that they want to share it with others.

Paola , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Paola Recht-Hirsch, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I come from a family with a passion for food and flavors that spans several generations. Many of us are cooks and bakers, so it’s no surprise that I am also a baker. I have over 20 years of experience managing food operations, including running my bakery and café in Buenos Aires. There, I baked cakes, pastries, and all sorts of savory goodies and built a following of loyal customers. With my kids all grown up, I knew this was the right time to take on new challenges. I heard of Belén de la Cruz Empanadas & Pastries and fell in love with the brand and its mission to offer authentic Argentine food. I immediately knew I had found the right challenge and wanted to help grow the brand. We found the perfect location in Savannah, GA. It was meant to be.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Our empanadas are centrally manufactured in Johns Creek, GA, and distributed to our store in Savannah to be baked onsite. That is how we ensure our consistency. Our customers know they will find the same experience they love no matter where they are. Locally, we produce cakes, pastries, and desserts. We also serve carefully curated coffee and offer a variety of Argentine products to complete the experience.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth has been our most valuable source of new clients. While we do use marketing, social media, and other communication channels, it’s often the heartfelt recommendations from our customers that bring in new faces. Our loyal patrons are our greatest advocates. There’s something special about hearing a friend or family member say, “You must try Belén de la Cruz!” That kind of genuine, personal endorsement is priceless, and it’s a reflection of the experience we aim to provide. When you focus on creating moments people want to share, your customers naturally become your best advertising.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.belendelacruz.com
• Instagram: @belendelacruz_empanadas_sav
• Facebook: Belen de la Cruz – Savannah: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565216563102

Image Credits

Belén de la Cruz