Sapori Italian Bakery & Cafe opened its doors in downtown Ogden just months before COVID-19 brought the world to a halt. For owner Azzurra Cuchel, an Italian native who moved to Utah nine years ago, the timing felt anything but ideal. But the Ogden community quickly showed her otherwise.
“I remember people coming into the bakery, putting money in the tip jar without even ordering,” Cuchel recalls. “They would say, ‘We just want you to stay open. We’re glad you’re here.’ It was emotional, seeing that kind of support.”
Nearly five years later, Sapori has become a staple for locals who crave authenticity. But for Cuchel, it’s not just about the dishes themselves. It’s about bringing the true Italian experience to Ogden.
“In Italy, when you order coffee, it’s just coffee,” Cuchel says. “Espresso means espresso. No vanilla, no caramel. We keep it simple. Authentic.”
That authenticity shines through in Sapori’s menu. The bakery case is filled with traditional Italian pastries, from flaky sfogliatelle and custard-filled fazzoletti to the classic cannoli and delicate, layered millefoglie. Each is carefully handmade using original Italian recipes and techniques. Alongside pastries, Sapori offers fresh crepes, seasonal cakes, and of course, genuine Lavazza espresso and cappuccino.
But for Cuchel, Sapori’s strength isn’t just what she offers, it’s what other Italian spots in Utah lack.
“A lot of Italian places here have no soul, no heart,” she says. “They call it Italian, but it’s not. It’s just food on a plate. Italian food should feel personal, like someone made it specifically for you.”
Cuchel initially lived in Farmington when she arrived in Utah, but felt something crucial was missing in the local food scene. Salt Lake City was another consideration, but ultimately, Ogden’s smaller, tight-knit community felt like the best fit.
“We were nervous because it was our first business,” Cuchel says. “Ogden felt safer, friendlier, somewhere we could truly become part of the community.”
Now firmly established, Cuchel plans to bring Sapori’s authenticity to Salt Lake City, but with a twist. She’s scouting locations for a new, smaller café focused on pastries, desserts, and coffee only. No pasta, no crepes, just quick, authentic Italian pastries and coffee designed for busy city life.
“It’ll be simpler, quicker,” Cuchel says. “Perfect for people who appreciate quality but don’t always have time to sit down.”
Even as Sapori continues to grow, Cuchel remains committed to why she started in the first place. She wants her food to be a conversation starter, a reason to slow down, and a chance to genuinely connect with others.
“In Italy, holiday dinners last 12 hours,” she says. “We sit, we eat, we talk. Food is how we connect. It’s not just something you rush through.”
Cuchel admits she’s occasionally asked to Americanize her menu or add trendy ingredients. But to her, that would mean losing the very thing that makes Sapori special.
“Yes, maybe if I changed a few things, we’d get more customers,” she says. “But we wouldn’t be us anymore. We’d lose our authenticity. And that’s everything to me.”
Ultimately, what keeps Cuchel motivated is the reaction she gets from her customers.
“When someone tells me, ‘Your food is amazing,’ that’s why I do this,” she says. “It’s not about the business itself. It’s about sharing a little piece of Italy with Ogden.”
Feature image and additional photos courtesy of Sapori Bakery & Cafe.
