Pastry paradise at R Farmers’ Market & Kitchen in Avon
Dominique Taylor/EAT Magazine
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated for clarification.
For Pastry Chef João Fernando de Matos, baking is not necessarily about perfection. While he is meticulously refining every single recipe now, in anticipation of his upcoming position at R Farmers’ Market in Avon — which sits at 7,000 plus feet above sea level — the native Brazilian said baking is more about meaning, purpose and respect.
The lifelong kitchen lover believes every creation — from fresh, flaky croissants to scrumptious sourdough, fresh flavorful pies and artisan cakes to savory scones — should carry the story of its origin and the people behind it. And just like his beautiful works of art that are also deliciously edible, everything de Matos creates right here in Avon carries his story — one of dedication to his craft, love of his family and a pursuit for happiness.
As a young boy growing up in the large city of São Paolo, Brazil, de Matos enjoyed baking for his family during the holidays and for special occasions. Thankfully, his sister was a big fan of his tasty treats and later set him up with his first job at a friend’s bakery when de Matos turned 18.
“I love the bakery. I love pastries. I love a kitchen and cooking.” ~ João Fernando de Matos
“I started working and didn’t stop,” de Matos said with a laugh from the inviting R Farmers’ Market & Kitchen in Avon. “I love the bakery. I love pastries. I love a kitchen and cooking.”
Support Local Journalism
In his 12 years of baking in Brazil, de Matos worked alongside Chef Laurent Suaudeau on the Nestlé YOCUTA Project and with We Coffee Brasil, and would go on to bake for ex-presidents like Bill Clinton and other artists and celebrities seeking a vacation in his beautiful home country. He also led the pastry department at Club Atlético Monte Líbano. But life in Brazil wasn’t safe for his family — his wife was held at gunpoint, thankfully surviving and joining de Matos on his worldly adventures.
In pursuit of a safer and happier home, he moved to Portugal for three years and worked as a pastry chef all around Europe. There, he developed exclusive recipes with Amor aos Pedaços and consulted with Maxiprimus on in-flight desserts for Air Portugal. Still yearning for his forever home, he soon moved to Louisiana, where he was the Executive Pastry Chef at Sucré New Orleans, designing signature desserts and helping modernize the famous King Cake line, which became a nationwide success during the Super Bowl.
De Matos enjoyed his time in New Orleans, happily recalling making 18,000 King Cakes in 45 days for Mardi Gras that sold out all over the U.S. and Canada. He was also very busy during the Super Bowl when it was held in New Orleans and later found an appreciation for American football through the NFL’s International Games in Brazil.
The lifelong pastry chef has honed his craft all over the world, and it all led him to R. Farmers’ Market & Kitchen in Avon. Now in the United States, de Matos reached out for a job opening with culinary icon and Belgian Master Chef Daniel Joly, who owns Mirabelle Restaurant. Joly referred him to Riley Romanin, who is a local leader and innovator for Eagle County’s culinary scene.
“I love it because I’ve worked in different places,” de Matos said. “For me, this is the most important thing — high quality.”
In the past year and a half, the relationship between Romanin and de Matos has blossomed — both hard-working people with big ideas that always revolve around providing the best experience — and food – for the customer, and staff. Romanin also owns Hooked in Beaver Creek, where de Matos will be bringing his pastry expertise as well.
And de Matos says he’s finally found the place he doesn’t plan on leaving. His wife and two daughters, ages 19 and 10, are enjoying life in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado — a little bit cooler in temperature than Louisiana, and a little safer than Brazil.
“Here, for me, is like living a dream,” he said, carefully thinking of each word as he continues to practice his English. “Every day I feel blessed.”
At R Farmers’ Market & Kitchen, everything in the gourmet shop tells a story of their commitment to quality. And every pastry carries along with it a piece of Fernando de Matos’ journey to Avon, Colorado.
