Daytona Alum named on Zagat's 30 Under 30 list

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Marcella Perego, retail manager of Soho’s Dominique Ansel Bakery, was recently the youngest ever to be named to Zagat’s “30 Under 30” in New York Hospitality list.

Former Daytona State student Marcella Perego is living the sweet life.

Now the retail manager of Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City, Perego was recently the youngest ever to be named to Zagat’s “30 Under 30” in New York Hospitality list.

“I always knew that working hard would pay off,” Perego said in a press release. “It’s been quite the fairytale.”

Perego graduated Daytona State College in May, 2013 with her associate’s degree in culinary management. When she graduated she was also dual enrolled at Seabreeze High School and earned her high school diploma a week later. Another week passed and she moved to New York City and was hired as a cashier at Dominique Ansel Bakery.

The website Buzzfeed recently named Dominique Ansel No. 1 among “The top 25 Bakeries Around the World to See Before You Die.”

“Without DSC, it would have been much more difficult for me,” Perego said. “Knowing the industry terminology alone before I got the job was a great help, but also understanding the techniques allows me to have more reasonable communications with the back of the house when we’re experimenting with new products. Daytona State gave me a lot of knowledge going into the job, which allowed me to compensate for my lack of experience. It helped me to focus on making things work right away rather than learning things along the way.”

Perego said she hopes to own her own bakery one day.