Self-care isn’t always rooted in grand retreats or indulgent luxury. More often, it lives in the small, soulful choices we make every day, in moments where we seek nourishment, comfort, and connection. In Tampa Bay, one woman has turned that philosophy into a delicious art form. Through every flaky pastry and lovingly seasoned creation, lifelong cook and bakery owner Reyna Giler embodies the restorative power of food.
At Main Street Bakery, Reyna’s creativity shines in every corner. The menu features her signature handmade desserts, savory empanadas, aromatic pastries, soulful soups, and rich coffees. Guests step into a space that’s both cozy and curated. Whether enjoyed indoors or with the Florida breeze on the patio, every visit invites you to slow down and savor. Reyna will make you feel like family.
Reyna’s culinary journey began when she was just eight-years-old, on a quiet farm in Ecuador. While other children played outside, she stood on a chair stirring a pot of homemade chicken soup, discovering a joy that would shape the course of her life. That simple moment became her foundation. For Reyna, cooking wasn’t merely a task, it was creativity, expression, and the spark of a lifelong calling.
After immigrating to Tampa in the 1980s, she spent years working long, physically demanding jobs. But the pull toward the kitchen never left. Eventually, she returned to her true passion and began perfecting the delicate pastries known as bocaditos. Today, they remain one of her most beloved specialties: golden, airy treats filled with coconut and fruit, amaretto and walnut, pineapple and orange, or savory mixtures of seasoned meats and vegetables. Step inside the bakery and you’ll see them proudly displayed, each one crafted with care.
What makes Reyna’s story so meaningful isn’t just her culinary talent but the spirit behind it. She treats cooking as art, healing, and an extension of her faith. Through early mornings, late nights, and decades of dedication, she has trusted her instincts and poured her energy into creating food that brings comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging to every customer who walks through her door.
Supporting local makers like Reyna is its own kind of nourishment. Choosing food crafted in your community—by hands that care deeply about every detail—feeds more than the body. It strengthens neighborhoods and connects you to the stories, heritage, and passion behind every bite. When you savor something handmade, you honor the journey of the person who created it.
Her story reminds us that self-care isn’t only about slowing down or indulging. It’s choosing connection and authenticity. Whether it’s a warm bowl of butternut squash soup or one of Reyna’s exquisite pastries or empanadas, food made with love has the power to restore, ground, and comfort us.
And sometimes, that is the purest form of self-care.
Reyna’s Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients
½ white onion, diced
4 tablespoons butter
3 medium carrots, chopped
1 large potato, peeled and chopped
1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 ½ liters (about 6 cups) chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
1 hard-boiled egg, sliced or chopped (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the vegetables: Dice the onion and chop the carrots, potato, and squash.
2. Sauté: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add vegetables and sauté for 5–7 minutes.
3. Add broth: Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20–30 minutes until tender.
4. Blend: Puree with an immersion blender or carefully blend in batches.
5. Finish: Stir in heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and warm through.
6. Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with a hard-boiled egg if desired.
Learn more at mainstreetbakery-npr.com.