“It’s not just a matter of feeding people’s bodies. I feel that when I make bread, it’s nourishment for their souls, as well.”

Carmen Montaño has a passion for cooking. Customers at the newly opened Gatherings Cafe and Bookstore in Ajijic are the happy beneficiaries.

Montaño deserted what she refers to as her “upper-middle class Mexican lady” role many years ago in exchange for what many in her social group considered a nose-thumbing at tradition. She became an actress (of all things) in Guadalajara’s Goethe Institute that she attended on a scholarship, then ended up at the Royal Spanish Academy of Theater.

But cooking, particularly baking, was more interesting and satisfying to her. She has worked as a baker in India and Italy and other European countries as well as in the United States. Bringing the career back home to Mexico hasn’t been without its challenges. She has had to learn to compensate for the non-specific flours of Mexico.

“In Western Europe and in the United States there are many grades and flours made from many grains that are not available here in Mexico,” says Montaño. “It’s taken a lot of experimentation to create a sound nutritious product here that appeals to the tastes of modern Mexicans and foreigners.”

Whether it’s the staff of life she is producing or her scrumptious cinnamon rolls, butter pound cake, zesty muffins, or cookies, Montaño puts not just her soul into them, but her hands, too.

“I don’t use any machines to produce this food,” says Montaño, “using my hands gives me life, gives me energy.”

Montaño’s talents aren’t restricted to baked goods, either. Her vegetarian lasagna is a huge favorite, as are her quiche, Argentinean turnovers stuffed with meat, and borscht and pea soup. All give the consumer the very best of flavor with the confidence of having the best nutrition – organic whenever possible.

“I use nothing from a can,” says Montaño, “nor do I use preservatives or monosodium glutamate. Whatever you eat at Gatherings, you can count on its being done a lot like we cooked in the old days with all its strength and gusto. I’m a very primitive person.”

Gatherings offers a wide and wonderful range of delicious treats, either solo or put together in interesting and custom combinations at reasonable prices. While you’re there, you will want to take advantage of Gatherings’ wide spectrum of coffee, tea, smoothies, yogurt and Italian soda drinks.

Gatherings is located at Ramon Corona 11, in front of the main entrance of the Lake Chapala Society. It is open every day except Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 766-5665 for more information.