New Book Celebrates the History and Resilience of Women in La Laguna’s Baking Trade

The new book Panaderas y reposteras. Mujeres en el comercio de La Laguna (Bakers and Pastry Chefs: Women in the Trade of La Laguna) shines a light on the vital role women have played in the local economy. Published by the San Cristóbal de La Laguna City Council and coordinated by the consultancy firm Cultania, the book was presented on March 17 at the Casa de los Capitanes. It aims to honor the history of women in artisanal baking—a trade that became increasingly male-dominated after the 1970s but is now seeing a resurgence of female-led businesses that favor traditional, daily production over industrial methods.

This book is the second in a series celebrating women in La Laguna’s business community. Through a mix of storytelling and historical photos, it documents both the pioneers of the last century—such as Angelina Rodríguez, Carmen González, Josefa Martín, and pastry chefs Rita, Benilde, and Doña Lola—and the business owners of today. The book highlights the many hats these women wear, from managing finances to handling logistics. For example, it features Esmeralda González, whose delivery work was essential for supplying rural areas like Valle de Guerra.

The book also explores how these artisanal shops continue to thrive in today’s market. At Pastelería Conde y Medina in San Bartolomé de Geneto, Ángeles Conde and Sara Afonso represent a new generation committed to quality. They avoid frozen goods and start their workdays before dawn to ensure everything is fresh. This same dedication is found at Panadería El Pueblo in Los Baldíos, where Teresa Torres manages a daily production of 350 units.

Beyond business, these bakeries serve as important hubs for the community. During the book’s presentation, Councilor for Commerce Estefanía Díaz emphasized that these shops help preserve local identity and provide essential goods to residents. The project highlights a network of local businesses—including Pastelería El Carmen, Migas Bakery, Pastelería Gioba, Sin Gluten La Laguna, La Princesa de Free Heart, and Palmelita—that have adapted to modern tastes while staying true to the craft of manual baking. In an age of industrial convenience, these La Laguna bakeries remain a proud guardian of Canarian culinary tradition.