Last Friday evening, the kitchen at the Hagerstown Community College Culinary Incubator was alive with bold spices, soulful music, and community love as Jalapeño & Honey hosted an exclusive private tasting to celebrate their growing food venture, one that’s as rich in flavor as it is in heritage.
The intimate event welcomed longtime supporters, tastemakers, friends, and community leaders who gathered to experience the next wave of Afro-Latino inspired catering from owners Imani Zeledon and her husband Jorge. Rooted in Costa Rican, Honduran, and Black American traditions, Jalapeño & Honey is putting Hagerstown on the culinary map with handcrafted empanadas and vibrant dishes that punch with flavor —a mission Imani made clear throughout the night.
On the tasting menu: fresh barbacoa tortilla crisps, a savory pork and chicken rice bowl, and a standout key lime glazed empanada, an unexpected crowd favorite that walked the perfect line between sweet and tangy.
The rice bowl was a clear crowd favorite, with proteins seasoned to perfection and the pork so juicy it brought balance and moisture to every bite. The menu was an intentional showcase of the couple’s culinary philosophy: flavor first, culture always. And then there were the empanadas—not just any empanadas. Imani proudly stands as the only local chef offering both sweet and savory varieties, a distinction that’s quickly becoming her signature. Each one is hand-folded and packed with bold flavor, filling a delicious gap no one else has touched.
While Jalapeño & Honey can be found at local farmers markets in Hagerstown, their reach extends far beyond. The brand serves the broader DMV area and offers meal planning, bulk ordering, and full-service catering. Whether you’re looking to stock your fridge or feed a full event, Imani and her team are ready to bring the flavor.
For those who missed Friday’s tasting, the message was clear: this is just the beginning. Jalapeño & Honey is rising—one empanada at a time.
Explore more at jalapeno-honey.com.