The following was taken from the Kenwood Press Business Beat:

Continuing her mother’s legacy – Boncora Biscotti

After Bonnie Tempesta, founder of internationally famous Boncora Biscotti, passed away last September, the future of the business was in question. Who would step up to the helm? Would the bakery keep its doors open or close them?

Six months later, Daniela Tempesta, Bonnie’s daughter, has happily announced that she will take over the family business, following in the footsteps of her mother, and marking the third generation of Tempesta women baking their popular version of Tuscany’s famous twice-baked cookies.

A psychotherapist with a private practice in San Francisco, Daniela didn’t find the decision easy. “My mother is and will always be my hero. But I did not follow her footsteps into the culinary world,” she wrote in a press release. “Keeping the bakery open meant scaling down my psychotherapy practice and stepping into a whole new world, one where the learning curve would be high and I would be a beginner.”

Unsure of how to make such an important decision, Daniela decided to spend some time at the bakery to get a feel for the work. “It was an emotional endeavor but a meaningful one. In that kitchen I felt my mother’s presence all around me and my heart expanded. Rolling the dough between my fingers I felt a physical connection to my mother and my grandmother, whose tradition lives on in my heart and in these cookies. The decision was clear. Just like my mother said to my grandmother in 1983 about starting La Tempesta, I said to my husband, “I’ve got to do this!” Boncora feels like home.”

Despite the tragedy of losing Bonnie last year, Boncora’s committed staff continued to bake biscotti and the product is still available in local markets and tasting rooms, as well as online. Locally, customers can find Boncora at Sonoma’s Best, Fat Pilgrim and Sunflower Cafe in Sonoma, Muscardini Tasting Room in Kenwood and all three Oliver’s Markets.

Under the direction of Daniela, Boncora Biscotti is now working hard at expanding its retail client list to include more speciality grocery stores and coffee roasters. Additionally, it just launched a monthly subscription service for repeat customers that includes steep discounts on products.

Daniela said current plans include keeping the bakery space in the Kenwood shopping center, so hopefully we can all look forward to the wonderful aroma of biscotti drifting across the courtyard again.

“There is no greater honor than carrying on my mother’s legacy. Dedicating myself to Boncora provides a special way for me to forever hold her in my heart.”

To place an order or find out more about Boncora Biscotti go to boncorabiscotti.com.