For nearly 20 years, Asayel King of Juices has been the place to go in Ras Al Khaimah for khanfaroosh.
But few people know that the woman who helped to popularise the Emirati saffron cakes is a former domestic worker from the Philippines, Charlene Alfonzo.
Her khanfaroosh recipe made Asayel one of the most popular Old RAK Corniche eateries and brought the Emirati snack into the public domain long before Emirati cafeterias became ubiquitous.
“I am very famous for khanfaroosh, ” says Ms Alfonzo, 44, who now works in the craft shop next door to Asayel. “We have a secret recipe and a lot of our customers ask for it but our boss told me not tell. That recipe is just for my me and my sister. ”
“I work hard, hard, hard but I’ve had so many bad experiences. Nobody has helped me. That’s why my faith is very strong. ”
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