Where Tradition meets its
SWEET TOOTH By Deborah Stone
W
hen you mention Señor Murphy’s to most longtime Santa Fe residents, you’ll likely get an instant smile mixed with a touch of nostalgia. Then the stories bubble forth as folks reminisce about visiting the store in the lower level of the La Fonda Hotel when they were children and getting a crisp caramel apple or other sweet treat. As the oldest and original candy maker in town, Señor Murphy’s has long been a local favorite. The company was founded by Neil Murphy, a fourth generation confectioner from Dublin, Ireland, who learned the craft from his great-grandmother. The Irishman opened the first Señor Murphy retail and production location in Sena Plaza in 1971. He was committed to high quality, locally made products, as well as to using indigenous New Mexican ingredients such as piñon nuts and chile
in his chocolates and confections. Today, the Santa Fe based company has four retail stores and a factory, and though its line of products has greatly expanded, its dedication to hand-made techniques has never wavered throughout the years. Current owner Harry Doscher, who is coincidentally a fourth generation candy maker too, notes that longevity of staff has helped to retain product consistency and quality control. He says, “Our head cook and product manager have both been here 43 years. In fact, Neil trained them. Most of our people are Santa Fe and Española area natives who take great pride in their work. Tradition is very important to us and we continue to use Neil’s original recipes, which he brought over from Ireland.” Señor Murphy’s product line is extensive, ranging from decadent chocolates and melt-in-your-mouth creams to crunchy
brittles, barks and toffees. “There’s little we don’t make,” comments Doscher. Some of the most popular and unique of the confections include bolitas, balls of fudge dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in crushed almonds; piñon rolls, vanilla fudge dipped in caramel and rolled in nuts; twin peaks, a concoction of caramel, almonds and dark chocolate; and chile pistachio bark. According to Doscher, it’s not only locals who enjoy the company’s sweets, but out of town visitors as well. “They love coming into the stores and sampling the different products,” he explains. “For many, it’s the first time they’ve tried chocolates with chile or piñon nuts and they realize they can get a true taste of New Mexico with our candy. They often end up buying after they sample and then some even get gift boxes to bring home to friends and family.” Doscher also notes the attractive packaging the store uses. It’s “fiesta style,” with bright hues of turquoise, fuchsia, purple and teal, evoking New Mexico’s brilliant color palette. For Doscher, the most satisfying part of being a candy maker is being able to bring
happiness to people. “This is a feel good business,” he says, “and I never get tired of hearing from customers about how much they enjoy our products.” Señor Murphy Candymaker DeVargas Center 177 Paseo de Peralta 505.780.5179 La Fonda on the Plaza 100 E San Francisco St. 505.982.0461 Santa Fe Place Mall 4250 Cerrillos Rd. 505.471.8899 Buffalo Thunder Resort 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail 505.819.2151 Toll free: 1.877.988.4311 Senormurphy.com