Pastries and cakes from Uruguay with love

Carlos and Maria Diaz and their daughter Andrea, 20, have bought a little taste of South America to Hamilton, with the opening of their new pastry shop, La Rosa Latin Pastries.

The pastries are an exotic mix of Spanish, Italian and French delicacies, from chocolate tarts and buttery croissants, to traditional Spanish empanadas.

"We are quite different. In Hamilton, not many people do that," said Carlos.

The couple started their pastry business back in Uruguay, but said the economic state of their country prompted them to make the move to New Zealand and set up shop here.

"We've been in the business for more than 20 years, and we are very pleased that we now have a shop here."

It's been about three weeks since they opened for business on Ulster St, and already they have racked up the customers.

"We've had very good feedback. We are very pleased," said Carlos.

"Customers follow us, on Facebook, because we do a lot of markets, Tamahere markets, Gordonton, and then big events like the Home and Garden show, Waikato show, and the Food Show.

"We started in 2006, doing the markets and then we set up a food caravan, and now our shop. It's a dream come true."

Carlos says while there are many favourites with their customers, by far their best seller is the mille feuille. "It's a stack of pastry, and caramel, pastry, caramel, pastry, caramel, and covered in chocolate.

"We do also do different type of cakes, not cheesecakes, they're very European style. It's like a sponge inside, filled with fruits, or caramel, or chocolate, anything you want."

La Rosa's store is on the corner of Forest Lake Rd and Ulster St.