Growing up in Mexico City, Alfonso Porras always dreamed of starting his own candy business. At the age of 12, while visiting his older sister in New Jersey, was taught by Walter Zittel, a family friend, how to make old fashioned candy. After returning to Mexico, Alfonso started making confections. Unfortunately a few years later Walter was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly. His wife
Karen Zittel remembered that Alfonso was the only one that shared the same enthusiasm and passion for candy as Walter did. She sent Alfonso all of Walter’s books on candy making and a thousand dollars with a note that said it was for him to start the business her husband never was able to. With the small investment Alfonso was set out to do just that. He along with his wife Alejandra, re-purposed an old trailer into a kitchen to start. Once finished they started making and selling candy in different Farmer’s Markets in Southern California along with their four children. They named the business “Sir Walter,” to honor the memory of the man who inspired them, and who taught Alfonso all he knew about the art candy making. Soon they opened their first retail store in Monrovia, California. They now have a factory in Salt Lake City where they continue to do what they do best, incredible confections and chocolate. Though Walter Zittel never got to start his business his legacy and passion for candy lives on in Sir Walter.
