Meet Luis Acosta | Master Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luis Acosta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luis, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
At the beginning, finding balance between work and personal life felt nearly impossible. When you start a project with as much passion as El Artesano del Pan, you pour everything into it—your time, energy, mind, and body. I’d wake up thinking about recipes and fall asleep dreaming about fermentation. It was beautiful, but exhausting.

Over time, I realized you can’t knead bread if you’re broken inside. The body needs rest—and so does the soul. I learned to respect my moments of pause, to enjoy a meal without checking the oven, and to put down the phone so I could connect with myself and the people I love.

Today, I see balance like sourdough starter: you have to feed it daily, with patience and care. It’s not about splitting your time perfectly, but about being present—truly present—wherever you are, with whoever you’re with. And that—just like good bread—takes time, but it’s worth it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional journey began with an inner need to return to what’s essential. I discovered in breadmaking a craft that not only nourishes the body but also the soul. What sets me apart is the way I combine traditional techniques with the emotional connection that arises from sharing bread—each loaf is an act of presence, patience, and love.

It wasn’t easy. Starting an artisanal project in a fast-paced world was a real challenge. I had to educate, explain, and stay true to my purpose even when the outside world demanded speed and immediacy. But I learned that what is made by hand, with time and truth, will always find its place.

Today, I feel proud to see how this craft has touched so many lives. I’ve had the honor of guiding hundreds of students to discover that they too can create, heal, and transform through bread.

I want the world to know that El Artesano del Pan is not just a brand—it’s a call to return to simplicity, to respect the process, and to value what is made with soul.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit Miami, the first thing I’d do is take them to discover the city’s real flavors—starting with bread. Because where there’s good bread, there are good moments. We’d visit True Loaf Bakery in Miami Beach, where the smell of sourdough hits you at the door, or Zak the Baker in Wynwood, a local classic that blends craft and style beautifully. If they’re curious about cultural flavors, we’d also stop by Versailles to try a cachito or some traditional Cuban bread.

Then we’d stroll through Wynwood, where street art meets creative cafés and vibrant energy. We’d grab something to eat at Panther Coffee, perfect for pairing with artisan bread, and spend the afternoon exploring galleries or just soaking in the atmosphere.

Later, I’d invite them to a bread-making class with me, so they could feel with their own hands what it’s like to connect with dough—with time, with memory. And we’d end the day at the beach, barefoot, watching the sunset and remembering that the simple things are often the most beautiful.

Miami is more than just skyscrapers and shopping. It has soul—and bread is one of the most honest ways to find it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this recognition to my wife, Niurka Betancourt, creator of @ketolifemiami, who has been my life partner, constant inspiration, and my greatest ally on this journey of flour, fire, and soul. Her love, vision, and dedication have been essential to my path.

I also want to express my deepest gratitude to all my students. Every workshop, every loaf we’ve shared, and every story you’ve trusted me with have nourished my craft. You’ve taught me just as much as I’ve tried to teach you.

And of course, to my family, who have supported my early mornings, my quiet moments, and my dreams. I haven’t walked this path alone — we’ve shaped it together, step by step… just like good bread is made.

Website: https://Www.elartesanodelpan.com

Instagram: @elartesanodelpan

Facebook: ElArtesanodelpanMiami

Youtube: Elartesanodelpan

Image Credits
Niurka Betancourt
@nbartphotography