The Story Behind VIELA : A Tribute to Portuguese Chocolate Artistry
When pastry chef Luca Arguelles first imagined creating his own chocolate bar mold, he wasn’t simply thinking of design, he was thinking of identity. After dedicating more than 25 years to the art of pastry and chocolate, Luca wanted to create something that would connect craftsmanship, culture, and emotion, something that would tell a story before it was even tasted.
That story began with a conversation between Luca and Tahsin from Safranne, a renowned mold manufacturer. Together, they exchanged sketches and ideas until one design stood out, an abstract pattern of texture and reflection, where every angle reveals a new play of light and shadow. The design, with its organic waves and structured irregularities, was inspired by the Portuguese cobblestone streets, “calçada portuguesa,” a symbol of tradition, artistry, and the rhythm of old European cities. Those stones, shaped by time and history, represent resilience, beauty, and cultural depth.
To complete the vision, Tahsin suggested a name that captured the spirit perfectly: “VIELA.” In Portuguese, Viela means a narrow street or alleyway, the kind of charming, hidden path where stories, textures, and lives intertwine.
It’s a word that holds nostalgia and character, much like the chocolate bars crafted with this mold.
“For me, Viela is more than a mold. It’s a reflection of who I am, of where I come from, and of the connection between design, emotion, and taste,” says Luca. “It’s rustic, elegant and simple yet full of story, just like the streets of my country.
Every detail of the VIELA mold was created with the intention of giving pastry chefs and chocolatiers a tool that brings
movement, light, and a handmade soul into their creations. Whether seen from above or from the side, its unique geometry creates a captivating texture and natural brilliance, enhancing the chocolate’s character and turning each bar into a visual and sensory experience.
Today, VIELA stands as a bridge between craftsmanship and culture, between Portugal and the world, a celebration of how tradition can inspire innovation. Available now through Bake Deco, the VIELA mold by Chef Luca Arguelles and Safranne invites you to craft your own story, one bar at a time.