The Best of 2009!

Before even thinking of starting 2010, I just want to honor the great 2009 that just passed. Here are my very own best of 2009!

Let’s start from the start. Maitelates began, featuring only one Dulce de Leche flavor, and during 2009 expanded to NINE!!!! Special thanks to all those brains (and palates) that helped in the developing and creation of the beautiful variety available today: Dulce de Leche, Coffee, Roasted Almond, Coconut, White Chocolate, Strawberry, Michigan Cherry, Quince, and Dulce Peanut.

Personally, 2009 had a bumpy beginning. My family in Chile was dealing with the worst nightmare possible. Then, a miracle showed up and everything turned into peace and joy… July. To celebrate the good news People Magazine randomly mentioned that my Alfajores were the best cookies that a Hollywood star had ever eaten. After that, Maitelates jumped from Ann Arbor to the Moon! December.

I started the year with a handbag full of 12 friends. I finished it with a big bag full of many hundreds of friends, and love them all! Need a friend? Go to the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market and find many! Or go to Wild Swan Theater, or go to my neighbors, or go meet the Nemeth’s, or ask for Barbara at the YMCA. Good people!! My favorite! (After those two other favorite ones that I get to see every day and I also get to chase protecting the Alfajores FROM THEM.)

Gratefulness, that is how I remember the good 2009. Awesome year, awesome moments. Thank you all for being a part of it! Thank you!

Congratulations to Ben, the winner of our December 09 Breakfast at Ronald McDonald House Raffle. Enjoy the big big big box of Maitelates!--------->

My Goodness!!! What a CRAZY month this December has been! Maitelates really exploded and brought sweet alfajores to EVERY single State of the Country. I can’t believe I actually was able to put together all those many orders in between Farmer’s Markets, Special Editions, Breakfast Raffles, important announcements and… phew! Days should have more than those short 24 hours!

But, we made it!!!!! Sucking all that good energy from my beloved Ann Arbor, I can proudly say that Maitelates is now all over the place celebrating Christmas, New Year’s, and many other holidays with so many families. What a sweet reward!

And remember the raffle? Well, every single ticket was sold, and a big yummy breakfast was delivered to the Ronald McDonald house here in Ann Arbor. While having to deal with the sadness of an ill loved one, some families had some kind of a break with tons of local goodies on Christmas day! Thank you Ann Arbor!!!!!!!!

And thank you Pedro for being my sweet inspiration; you have been the force and the spirit behind all this. Two years ago, it all started with you and because of you… happy Birthday my Pedro! Thanks for all that you’ve done!

(The winner of the raffle will be announced in my next blog… Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone)

Life is a box full of chocolates

That’s one of my favorite Forest Gump’s quotes. You just never know what you are going to get! I’m still shocked with all the good things that have surprised me and my family these last few weeks. On top of a bunch of amazing recognition that Maitelates (and Ann Arbor!) is about to get, one of my sisters had a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Josefina.

Even better? Pedro learned how to kiss me and today is my birthday!!! I turn…. well….. how about 23??

More? There is more! I’ve put together a raffle that you can participate in at my Farmer’s Market table (for only $1 you get the chance to win a box full of 18 Maitelates alfajores, and your donation goes towards putting together a Christmas Day breakfast for the families at Ronald McDonald House here in Ann Arbor). The response of the customers, farmers and vendors has been beyond overwhelming! Awesome!

On top of all the previous, Ann Arbor welcomed the first winter snow, and it just couldn’t get any prettier and perfect.

There is more… but, next time! Come to the Farmer’s Market, get THE perfect Holiday gift – one of Maitelates sampler boxes – and get a raffle ticket! You’ll win anyways. I promise.

Thankful and ready for Thanksgiving!!

Good things are coming, sweet news! Maitelates got a very special request from a very special person who represents the world to people like me. Good things are coming. When the right time comes, I’ll share the joy, I promise.

And talking about joy, did you hear about Pilar’s Tamales opening her new store? It’s true!!! Go get a bunch of fresh and delicious Tamales, and make sure to get a special dessert… what’s for dessert? Maitelates!!! Yeah!!!! Thanks Sylvia for having my cookies at your store. Thanks for teaming up so we can share our ‘Latino’ flavors!! What an honor!!

Also available at Pilar's: Roos Roast (John's fresh Lobster Butter Love),Tasty Bakery (Julie's Gluten Free yummy bake goods) and the Biscotti Factory (Barb's delicate bicotti). As our dear Jennifer said in her article 'Sleep in on Black Friday and BUY LOCAL'!!!!

Finally, to all my dear friends that have shared their hospitality since the very first day I’ve been here in the States, happy Thanksgiving!! Enjoy the time with the family and friends, and get as cozy as you can with your loved ones. Want to make it even better? Share an Alfajor and smile!

Finally!!!

It’s time to spread the word: Maitelates is pleased to announce that there is a very “Special Edition” of the ultimate Alfajor! Taza Chocolate, a great organic bean-to-bar chocolate maker located in Massachusetts, asked me to make a unique Alfajor using their handmade Mexican-style chocolate.
We did it & tasted it. The result of this Dulce de Leche-filled Cookie, dipped in earthy chocolate with overtones of fruitiness was an awesome combination of powerful flavors with an unforgettable aftertaste. Bold. And how happy am I to realize that it was team work again! Thanks Bob, Julie, Jeff, Dan, Betty Anne, Ari, Brian, Joe, Melissa, Liz, Masoud, Jeff, Lisa, David, Helen, Joe, Lesley, Peter, Barbara, Michael, Deborah, Leon and Matias for all your important work as tasters and for providing feedback. Special thanks to my brother for all the good, smart & positive advice, and to my Matias for all that accurate survey analysis. I need both their brains!!

Ok, want to know more about how to get this delicious Holiday gift? Click here, and learn more about Taza, this amazing company. Thanks Alex for bringing Maitelates into your stone-ground organic chocolate world! We rock!