In her native Romania, Alina Dancho often waited 2 hours in line, for half a loaf of bread.
Now customers stand in line for her croissants, cookies, cakes, cupcakes and pastries.
And bread.
Alina’s Cakes & Cookies opened recently in the shopping plaza next to Fortuna’s, Greens Farms Spirit Shop, Gofer Ice Cream and Westport Cigar & Vape.
It’s a tasty addition to those treats.
It’s also the healthiest option.
95% of her bread is sourdough — an excellent, all-natural source of antioxidants and prebiotics.
A small selection of Alina’s many breads.
Nearly all of her offerings are gluten-free. Her sugar and flour is non-GMO. She uses organic milk, and cage-free organic eggs. Some even come from the chickens she keeps.
“It’s not how much you eat. It’s what you eat,” Alina says, comparing the prevalence of food allergies in the US to Europe. She is adamant about the importance of avoiding pre-processed products like fillings and frostings.
“I want people to eat healthy breakfast foods and desserts, without allergic reactions and diabetes.”
Alina Dancho, with a customized cake.
She honed that philosophy at the original Alina’s Cakes & Cookies, on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield. She bought it 10 years ago, and developed a fanatic following.
Approximately 40% of her customers came from Westport. They encouraged her to open a bakery here.
Restaurateur Tommy Febbraio — a Westport native — helped her find the Post Road East property. Formerly occupied by Vanish Media, it was perfect for wide, well-lit displays of great-looking, even-better-to-eat creations.
Alina did not plan to be a baker, let alone a bakery owner. She set out to be a primary school teacher, but left Romania to work as a bartender on cruise ships out of Miami.
Back on land she worked in restaurants, and learned the art of baking. After a divorce, with a 1-year-old, she relocated to Connecticut to become Jean Pierre Rudaz’s pastry chef at Fairfield’s La Colline Verte.
She fell in love with the area. She followed Rudaz to Black Rock Yacht Club and La Crémaillère.
A selection of pies.
Meanwhile, Alina made pastries for private clients. She remarried, had a second child, and — after working out of her home — bought Adam’s Bakery in Black Rock.
She renamed it Alina’s Cakes & Cookies, and turned a tired business into a beloved one.
Now Westporters can enjoy her wide range of offerings. They include challah on Fridays, customized orders, and special treats for upcoming holidays.
Chocolate Easter egg cakes.
On the shelves recently were cakes, cookies and more for Orthodox Easter — her faith — on May 5. “My husband is Catholic, and my daughter-in-law is Jewish. I’m ready for every holiday,” she laughs.
She is ready too — for upcoming Mothers Day, graduations, communions too — and of course weddings.
Alina is excited to be in Westport. She has already worked with organizations like the Westport Downtown Association and Westport Museum for History & Culture.
“Small businesses grow a community. And if you’re part of the community, they give back to you,” she says.
Alina Dancho, at her Westport bakery. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Long after leaving Romania, her enthusiasm for this country is undimmed.
“I feel like I achieved the American dream,” she says with emotion.
“I’ve worked hard. I’m proud that people can come to a bakery like this.”
Thanks to glowing recommendations, they’re coming — and coming back.
Word-of-mouth is a great thing.
Putting Alina’s cakes and cookies in your mouth is even better.
(Click here for Alina’s Cakes & Cookies’ website. Click here for her Instagram.)
