By Jorge G. Zavala | Creative Director

Getting off the I-90 eastbound on the Belmont ramp, one notices a variety of local and national businesses. The local fruit shop, the gym, and the gasoline station are all familiar sites. One of the spots that may appear to blend into the background packs a treasure of sweet, delicious treats hailing from Mexican tradition with a contemporary touch.

Panadería Azucar, located on Belmont Avenue slightly west of Kimball Avenue, is one of Avondale's most-discussed panaderías, or bakeries. The creative mastermind behind this local delight, Sandy Cakes, is a well-known figure in her community. Some of the diverse activities she engages with are community toy drives for local children, bringing awareness to autism and how it affects youth, and the need to empower young minds through education.

One of the most anticipated events of the season in the Avondale/Logan Square community took place at Panadería Azucar on January 6th, 2013. The celebration of the largest rosca de reyes, or king's cake pastry, accompanied by succulent hot chocolate, food, games, and fun took place and 100% organized by Miss Sandy herself.

Sandy's generous heart and altruistic joie d'etre is respectable. Azucar, which employs members from the local community, strives to make a difference in the hearts of the people. Their mission is to provide high-quality pastries while also making a positive impact in their surroundings.

Beside having a strong component to social responsibility, the baked items from Azucar are divine. Their rosca de reyes is not only the right amount of sweet and flaky, but also creamy - a unique factor. The inside of the rosca de reyes was adorned with a light, sweet custard and guava pudding that complimented the sugary exterior that was also decorated with traditional Mexican fruit candy, ate de higo.

Customers from diverse parts of Chicago arrived to Azucar days before Día de Reyes on January 6th to pre-order their rosca and ensure that they would have a chance to bask in this mouth-watering delight.

By Mexican, Latin American, and some Franco-phonic traditions, the rosca de reyes is traditionally eaten on January 6th to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus and the visitation of the 3 wise men to the newborn king. Tradition in the Latino world also dictates that whoever receives one of several plastic babies - which are placed into the delicious pastry - he/she must be committed to organize an intimate fiesta on February 2nd.

Our question to you is: who was lucky enough to get the baby in their piece of rosca de reyes and where is the decadent feast taking place?

Panadería Azucar, located at 3415 W. Belmont Avenue, is a local treat so sweet that PdM expects nothing but success in the near future.

CHICAGO - Have a Matcha New Year! Toast to a Healthier 2013! Throughout the month of January, Bello Tea, with locations in both the Chicago French Market and Downer's Grove, will showcase a Matcha Making Demo and Sampling at their Chicago French Market Location. Matcha is a traditional East Asian all-natural powder derived from the plants where green tea originates. The powder, revered by many, has at least 3 times the strength of green tea and is twice as healthy for the body - rich in anti-oxidants.

The first of the Matcha Making Demo and Samplings will take place Tuesday, January 15th, 2013. The following is the schedule for the much-anticipated sampling:

                     1 Session 2:00pm-2:30pm
                     2 Session 2:45pm- 3:15pm
                     3 Session 3:30pm- 4:00pm

If one cannot attend on the 15th, panic no more for there is another opportunity to engage in the matcha-making process on Saturday, January 12th and 26th:

                     1 Session 1:00pm-1:30pm
                     2 Session 1:45pm- 2:15pm
                     3 Session 2:30pm- 3:00pm

Receive 10% discount on all matcha & accessories during the demonstration by printing this piece out or mention PdM (Prestige du Monde) sent you. Take a picture of you with your Bello Tea goodies and send it to us for a chance to be featured in our online and print editions!

A very large crowd is expected, so sign up in advance at the booth or online as space is limited.