When BBC Radio 4 asked Surrey resident Jennifer Munson-Montanez to bring her South American inspired alfajores treats onto The Kitchen Cabinet, she knew she’d be facing an expert panel including food and drink luminaries, Jay Rayner and Andi Oliver.
What Jen hadn’t accounted for was the theatre-style audience in Woking, or that the aficionados would be trying her melt-in-the-mouth delicacies for the very first time.
“You just assume when you see the names involved that they’ll have tried everything before – they’re all so knowledgeable and well-travelled,” says Jen.
“So, to have to introduce a product that I’ve put so much love and passion into in front of a couple hundred people and on radio was daunting.”
“Fortunately, they absolutely loved the alfajores and Andi Oliver even said they were the best biscuits she’d had in her life! It was a pretty emotional moment. A few weeks later, I sent Andi some of my new seasonal flavours and she told me she had to fight her husband off them! It’s moments like these that really make you realise you’re heading in the right direction.”
For the uninitiated, alfajores are naturally gluten-free shortbread-like sandwich biscuits. Often mistaken for macarons, they have a lighter and crumblier texture but the same ability to carry a rainbow spectrum of colours and delicious flavours.
Jen’s range includes the likes of Salted Caramel, Hazelnut Ganache rolled in Pistachios, Matcha Green Tea and Raspberries and White Chocolate varieties, as well as the original Dulce de Leche. Jen also produces seasonal flavours alongside her core range.
“I grew up in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and always enjoyed baking alfajores and indulgent cakes with my family,” says Jen.
“I left my home country at 25, travelled the world and eventually ended up settling here in Surrey.
“I started making alfajores on the side of my day job as a digital marketer back in 2018 but last year I realised I had to put all my time and passion into the food and drink side to make a success of it.”
Since that decision, Jen’s alfajores have become available in an increasing number of farm shops and coffee shops in the area, and you can also try Jen’s alfajores at Ripley Farmers’ Market, Walton and Kew Village Market every month.
“This year I am looking to rebrand a little to help capture the passion and love that goes into making my alfajores. I always knew I’d have to do a bit of explaining to people at tastings, as alfajores aren’t widely available in Britain, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how open people are to trying them and how positive the feedback is.
“It’s got to the point where my alfajores production has taken over the house. I make them all myself and there are stacks in nearly every room!”
It’s not surprising they have proven such a hit. Alfajores are one of those foods that have the ability to conjure wonderful memories for those who have tried them before while, for those tasting them for the first time, there’s always that special moment of discovery and enlightenment.
They are the perfect treat to enjoy while catching up with friends over a cup of tea/coffee and a vibrant conversation starter at larger gatherings, and we think you’ll love them.
- This article originally appeared in Local Food Britain's monthly Meet the Producer food and drink column in Surrey Life magazine.
Tags: Baking
