Doriane Zambito, from the gendarmerie at Doryann Super coffee shop

La spécialité de Doriane Zambito est la “bubble waffle”.

Doriane Zambito.

Doriane Zambito.

The native of Lorraine arrived in Lozère at 10 years old. After starting her career in the gendarmerie, she took over management of the Doryann Super coffee shop in Mende.

Fighting to succeed and educate her three children well is the leitmotif of Doriane Zambito, at the head of the Doryann Super coffee shop, on Boulevard du Soubeyran, in Mende.

The daughter of Italian and Spanish immigrants, she was born in Lorraine, where her father worked in the mines. She is the eldest of three siblings, with a brother and a sister. At the age of 10, a big change happened in his life, his father realized his childhood dream and became a police officer. The family then arrived in Lozère, where she attended school. The final year, her father was transferred to Perpignan and she decided to stay in Lozère to take her baccalaureate. During the holidays, she works at the Chaudeyrac hotel.

"A place that doesn't exist elsewhere"

A misfortune struck her when her little sister committed suicide at the age of 17. "Then, I took the same job as my dad, a police officer, because I am idealistic and I want to help people."

For 22 years, she practiced her profession in Brittany, Perpignan and Lozère. Transferred to Marvejols, she ended her career, in 2018, as adjutant and unit commander in Bagnols-les-Bains.

Then, she took over management of the coffee shop , " without any knowledge, with financial difficulties. It's difficult. It’s a long-term job, but there are positives. It's a place that doesn't exist anywhere else."

Working locally

The bubble waffle is the specialty from Doryann Super coffee shop."We make the sweet or savory waffle batter ourselves, with local eggs from Delcros. The waffle is truly customizable according to the customer's tastes. Its content can be modified from the base to the toppings. As an alternative to our signature waffle, we offer other treats, cookies, brownies and muffins, as well as gluten-free, lactose-free and white sugar-free pastries for diabetics."

Doriane Zambito works with local artisans. A wide choice of hot and cold non-alcoholic drinks is offered such as smoothies with mixed fruits, milk-shakes, bubbles tea homemade, water syrup, tea, ice tea homemade, different coffee and chocolate drinks as well as many personalized smoothies.

Doryann offers a decor made of wood and stones. The furniture is made by Lozerian craftsmen and comfortable sofas welcome the public. "Everything is made in Lozère, one wall is made of stone and another with raw planks." A screen shows vintage music clips, creating a sound ambiance.

In her business, she is assisted by Maély, "loyal and faithful. I wouldn't have succeeded without her, emphasizes Doriane Zambito, smiling. "It's quiet strength, it's unsinkable." At the moment, an intern and an apprentice are also strengthening the team. "We are a springboard in their lives!"

Contact: Doryann, 3 boulevard du Soubeyran, 04 66 32 08 22 or 06 63 80 34 95, www.doryann-coffeshop-mende.fr or Facebook and Instagram.

Correspondent Midi Libre: 06 83 48 50 18