Marcela Diaz

“I have learnt from Australians to have a more balanced lifestyle, to spend more time with my children, to enjoy the outdoors, to do what I want to do and not what I am expected to do.”

Name: Marcela Diaz

Occupation: Business owner and head Chef at El Mercado Bakehouse

State of residency: Victoria

Favourite place in Australia: Elizabeth Beach, NSW

Upon Arrival: I was amazed by the diversity and vibrancy of the food scene. People place a strong emphasis on fresh, innovative, and high-quality food.

Story edited by Lucy Coulson. Digital edition by Johany Ortiz.

Marcela Diaz is the business owner and head chef at El Mercado Bakehouse in Melbourne, where she has created a space that brings people together through food, culture, and community. Through her work, she has introduced and shared Latin American heritage with people from diverse backgrounds, helping to broaden cultural understanding and appreciation across Australia.

Marcela has also created employment opportunities for members of the Latin American community, fostering a workplace where language, music, and shared cultural experiences create an authentic and welcoming environment — allowing customers to enjoy a genuine taste of Latin American culture.

TELL US YOUR STORY

Marcela enjoy time with her family in Chile.

I arrived in Australia in 2009 on a Working Holiday visa. I had just gotten married to my husband, Felipe. At the time, we both wanted to experience something different before settling down. We met in Chile where, before moving to Australia, I worked as an Industrial Designer but always had the curiosity of living overseas. Australia felt like the perfect place for an adventure.

During those early years, I worked as a Visual Merchandiser for a high-end cookware and furniture retailer. While I enjoyed the creative side of my roles, I always had a deep passion for cooking and baking. Food had always been a big part of my life, but at that stage, it was still more of a personal passion than a professional path. In 2013, we decided to return to Chile. We were feeling homesick and wanted to see what life back home would be like after our time abroad. During the two years we lived there, we both worked in our respective fields, but we also started a small catering business on weekends. That experience was a turning point for us. It made us realise that working with food was something we truly loved and wanted to pursue together.

After just two years, we already felt that we preferred the Australian lifestyle. We had our first son during that time, and as soon as we could, we made the decision to return to Australia in 2016. Starting again was not easy. I went back to my previous field, working as a Visual Merchandiser and later as an Interior Designer for the same company I had worked for before. However, I no longer felt fulfilled in that career. After having my second son, I realised I couldn't go back to the same work field — I wanted to follow my passion and become a chef. I enrolled in a Commercial Cookery course at an institute in Melbourne, studying part-time while raising a baby and a toddler. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding time. By the time I completed my studies, the pandemic had begun, and it became a defining moment for us.

Life as baker.

During that period, we noticed many people starting food businesses. We tried a lot of what was available, but we couldn't find the flavours and products we truly loved. That's when we decided to create our own business. We spent a year planning, researching, and testing recipes. We didn't have all the answers, but we were willing to learn along the way.

Four years ago, we opened El Mercado. Since then, it has been an incredible journey. Our goal has been to introduce Australians to a more refined version of South American baking, sharing flavours, techniques, and traditions that are not widely known here. It has been deeply rewarding to see how people have embraced it. More than just a business, it has become a way for us to connect cultures, educate our customers, and offer new and memorable food experiences.

CHALLENGES

Creating a new support network – After moving back to Australia, with a family of 2 boys, we came up with the challenge of raising a family in another country.  We do not have family in Australia, so building a strong support network became essential. Over time, good friends became our chosen family and an important part of our support system as we navigated parenting and the demands of starting a business.

Reinventing myself – Starting over professionally was a major challenge. In 2018, I decided to rebuild my career from scratch and started studying Commercial Cookery. Balancing study, work, and family life required discipline and resilience. During this period, I gained not only technical skills but also confidence in my creativity and ideas, confirming that I was on the right path and strengthening my decision to pursue a career in food.
Opening our business during the pandemic – This was risky and uncertain, with limited resources and no guarantee of success. We overcame this by careful planning, testing recipes, and adapting quickly. We also embraced the challenge of introducing new South American flavours to the market by educating our customers. This approach helped us build a loyal community and grow our business successfully.

CONTRASTS AND SIMMILARITIES

Exploring Chile and creating lasting memories with the family.

Latin Americans like to live life with intensity – We keep ourselves busy all the time, and don’t take the time to slow down and enjoy what we have. I have learnt from Australians to have a more balanced lifestyle, to spend more time with my children, to enjoy the outdoors, to do what I want to do and not what I am expected to do.

The sense of safety and freedom in everyday life – In Australia, I feel comfortable moving around the city, meeting my friends for a drink, and even going on night walks with my children. My children can also walk to school or visit their friends independently, which gives them a sense of confidence and freedom. In contrast, this level of safety and independence is no longer possible in Chile. There, concerns about security make it difficult to enjoy simple activities like walking at night or allowing children to move around freely. This difference has had a significant impact on my quality of life and is something I truly value about living in Australia.

How each society experiences and responds to immigration – While Chile is currently dealing with a large influx of immigrants and is still adapting to this change, Australia has long been shaped by immigration and has developed a more established culture of diversity and inclusion. Personally, I have always felt welcomed and supported in Australia. In every job I’ve had, every neighbourhood I’ve moved to, and in my children’s schools and daycare centres, we have consistently felt included and appreciated. This strong sense of belonging has made a significant difference in our experience of settling here.

PIECE OF ADVICE 

Be patient – Navigating the visa system can take a long time and often involves delays and uncertainty. It’s important to stay organised, plan ahead, and always have a backup plan. Developing patience is essential, as it will help you manage the frustrations that may arise along the journey to becoming an Australian resident.

Enjoying family hikes.

Reinvent yourself – Australia offers a great opportunity to start fresh and explore new paths. It’s a place where you can work toward becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be, whether that means changing careers, studying something new, or trying a different lifestyle. There is space, acceptance, and respect for personal growth and change, which makes it easier to pursue new goals with confidence.

Make new friends and step out of your comfort zone – Try to connect with new people, be open to conversations, and don’t be afraid to reach out. By doing this, you will not only build meaningful relationships but also discover new opportunities that you might not have found otherwise.

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…

Marcela envisions a well-established wholesale business and several more El Mercado shops, continuing to share and spread Latin American culture across Australia. She is also focused on growing professionally while achieving a better work-life balance — with more time to enjoy the outdoors with her family, travel, and be present in everyday moments. Her goal is to build both a successful career and a fulfilling personal life.

Do you want to follow Marcela’s journey? Connect with her on  Instagram, Facebook, Website

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With love and gratitude - The Latin Stories Australia team