◆ This year also saw the launch of Sabor Deli in collaboration with chef Constantin Piard. How did this partnership come about, and what was the vision behind the concept?

We met Constantin when we opened Sabor two years ago; he became a regular customer and, later, a friend. We share the same passion for quality ingredients and good food.
 
We wanted to find a way to work together and a catering business seemed like the obvious choice since many customers were asking us for prepared meals to make their daily lives easier. Constantin is an outstanding chef and we are (I think!) good business managers, so our skills complement each other perfectly.

The goal of Sabor Deli is to make life easier for our customers when they don’t know what to cook, don’t have the time or desire to cook, but still want to enjoy a quality meal. We offer ready-to-eat lunch options and ready-to-heat dinner options. Constantin cooks with organic and local fruits and vegetables from the grocery store and the recipes change with the seasons. 

We’ve also developed our own brand of vacuum-sealed protein options, such as a chicken breast cooked for 3 hours and marinated; all you need to do is reheat it in a pan for 5 minutes. The skin is crispy, the meat is tender, and it’s a pure delight. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

◆ If someone wanted to understand Sabor's philosophy through just three products on your shelves, which would you choose and why?

1 | Júlia and Anabelle’s artisanal organic beef and chicken bone broths from Dohatsu. Inspired by grandmothers’ recipes and traditional country cooking, they embody everything we love: craftsmanship, authentic flavors, and quality.  

2 | Starting in September, we have seedless grapes from Ana Cristina and her husband, grown in Cadafais in the Alenquer region. They come from a natural cross between two different varieties. The taste is incomparable, sweet, and absolutely delicious. They showcase the quality of the farmers’ work and all that the earth has to offer.
 
3 | Azores tuna in virgin olive oil from the Corretora brand. We’ve been working with this family-run business since we opened. Once you’ve tasted this, you’ll never eat another canned tuna again! It showcases the full strength of Portuguese know-how and the quality of Atlantic fish.

◆ Running a business as a couple comes with unique challenges and rewards. What do you think is your greatest strength as a team?

I’d say it’s love. Bryce and I have been together for almost 13 years now, and communication, listening, and respect are the three pillars of our daily life. It’s a joy to work together; we have complete trust in each other, and we’re always there for one another. We also share the same vision of where we want to take the company, so we’re moving forward hand in hand toward our goal.