Meet Gianna Malatrasi of The Panza in Westminster

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gianna Malatrasi.

Gianna, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Scientists say that smell is closely linked to memories. In my case, it is just a fact and part of my daily life. The Panza might be new to most, but its beginnings go back more than 35 years. As far back as I can remember food, is not only a biological need but a way of expressing love and gratitude.

It is a way of bringing people together and sharing time as a family. Many of my earliest childhood memories involve the smell of butter or olive oil searing with garlic and onions, as they became the base for some delicious sauce. Or the smell and sound of the pressure cooker and the aroma of freshly baked cake overtaking every corner of the home.

After my mother lost her battle with cancer, I moved in with my Puerto Rican-Italian grandmother. She would take me early in the morning to “La Plaza del Mercado” (Farmer’s Market) in Santurce. Which was, most of the time torture for a teenager, but it was a ‘must’ to get there as early as possible because ‘the early bird gets the worm’. Despite my teenage neurosis, I got to see her ‘doing her thing’. Talking to the farmers that she had gotten to know through the years. Diligently picking out the produce and meats that would become the delicious meal of the day. As lunchtime started to arrive, so would my family. We would all try to move around the hall-style kitchen, with big glass windows at the end that overlooked the park and the Atlantic Ocean. And always that someone trying to taste the sauce directly from the pan with a piece of warm freshly-baked bread. ‘This is the way it should be tasted’, we would all claim every time we got caught with the bread inside the saucepan.

A staple in her repertoire of desserts was la tarta de Guayaba (guava tart). I vividly remember coming from school one afternoon, after having quite the ‘crappy’ day. She listened to my story and said: “let’s make something that will take your mind off of the day’s frustration and make someone else happy”. As I slowly started to mix all the ingredients, I felt how the stress would steadily disappear. After ‘my de-stressed’ masterpiece was baked and ready, she carefully packed it and off to the post office we both went. On the drive, she explained this particular tarta de Guayaba was going to Italy. Her best friends lived in Rome and were missing some of the island’s flavors and warmth. So there we were, with the postal officer looking at us like “are you mad?” And asking “You’re sending a guava tart to Rome because your friends have the winter blues?”. “Yes”, she politely responded and explained, “that giving something you made yourself and someone would later enjoy, was the best way to express how much one truly cares”.

For years this had been her ‘modus operandi’. She wasn’t very affectionate, I always guessed it was the way she was brought up. But we all knew, friends and family alike, how much she really loved all of us, showcased through the effort and dedication she placed into each meal she prepared. This is also true for my father, he inherited the same cooking skills and ‘show-love-through-food’ mentality. I sometimes wonder if it is part of our Italian heritage or part of our Puerto Rican culture. Or just a mix of the aforementioned, combined with a lack of knowledge on how to express one’s feelings. Regardless, of what it was or is, I always felt the extent of their love in every bite. As the years went by and she got older, she was adamant that I learn how to make her dishes. She always said “there will be a day when I’m not here and you won’t be able to taste the flavors of your childhood, nor be able to pass it down to your children”

When I first met and started talking with my now-husband, it was the delight we both felt in cooking for others that really brought us together. One particular day I need to de-stressed so to the kitchen, I went. Making desserts is therapeutic for me, although I must admit I do not possess much of a ‘sweet tooth. But there I was, fully sunken into my ‘dessert therapy’. Bored of making the usual guava tart, I found a muffin pan and started to experiment. That became the ‘guava bites’. One thing led to another and in a short time, I was selling them to coffee shops and restaurants in Puerto Rico. The ‘bites’ were even featured as part of an article in Coastal Living Magazine.

Fast forward to January 2019. It had been seven years since we moved to Colorado. My husband sold his company, which led to a case that’s still in the courts and became a stay at home day to our baby girl. My beloved grandmother had passed away just eight months after my daughter was born. Meanwhile, I’m working full time as a CO Real Estate Agent. Life was good, but crazy at the same time. A roller coaster ride, that you really don’t know where it starts or ends. But you’re riding it regardless. But by then we were itching for more. For something that is not only fully ours and can provide for our entire family, but also represents who we truly are. As well as set an example for our daughter. To believe in something, work hard and you will succeed. Regardless of the million missteps along the way.

For some reason, my husband’s ever-running entrepreneurial mind would always go back to the ‘guava bites’. He was always certain that “there’s something special in those little things”. And as much I might dislike telling him that “he’s right”, this time he really was. After months of molding and rolling dough and baking at every hour of the day. Searching through infinite baking videos/articles, never-ending sampling and calling my sister multiple times a day (the actual chef in the family) we arrived at The Panza’s sticks.

Undoubtedly, the struggle has been very real. Starting something from basically nothing has numerous challenges, multiple hurdles and the learning curve can be rough. But the future is bright and full of opportunity. I feel that the love and hard work placed into Panza will allow us to bring some togetherness and cherished memories to all those who enjoy them.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Turning an idea into a reality is never easy, the struggle is real and the new challenges never stop coming one’s way, But every hurdle is a learning experience and failing means you tried. It is what we learn from the struggle and how we recover that teaches us the most. If we don’t analyse what went wrong and figure out a new way, we have truly accomplished nothing and will be bound to fall into the same trap.

My background is in design and visual arts, so for me personally, food manufacturing is a whole new world. A new ‘language’, terminologies, processes and a million different things that I’ve had to learn. But in the end, this is all for my daughter’s and family’s future, so I’m determined to learn it all. I’m an over-thinking introvert and just the thought of walking up to someone with my product is borderline mortifying. This has been the biggest struggle. But mind over matter. The confidence I have in The Panza and that it’s all for my family, makes me push through, even more, every day.

The Panza – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Panza specializes in unique thin gourmet sticks. We gave a modern twist on an old family recipe that pays homage to our heritage and culture. Light sweetness, both crispy and chewy, but always bursting with flavor. Our signature sticks are guava sticks. An ideal companion to coffee or tea, or to enjoy as a flavorful snack low in calories. Available combinations include guava/coconut, plain sugar and chocolate among others. Panza’s sea salt collection was designed to be paired with wine, beer or spirits. We also have a non-guava selection, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I couldn’t be prouder of the incredibly positive response we’ve had from everyone that has tasted Panza. It is an amazing feeling to hear back from our customers, and especially the many that become regular Panza clients.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success is defined by how we overcome the struggles and challenges that life places upon us. The paths we choose to take, how we learn from mistakes and pick ourselves up afterward. How we pass down the knowledge gained and help others in need. To always be humble, thankful and have empathy for all around us. To be a leader that empowers others to be their best and tries to make the world a better place for all.

Pricing:

• Free shipping on any other after $9.00.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thepanza.com/
• Phone: 720-662-8536
• Email: gianna@thepanza.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_panza_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/panzasticks/

Image Credit:
Gianna Malatrasi

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