While being a chef has become very popular in recent years thanks to the success of shows like The Bear, it’s unfortunately really hard to make a living in the food industry. However, one woman managed to secure a foothold in her local community after her homemade empanadas went viral, allowing her to bask in her 15 minutes of foodie fame.
But all of that came crashing down around Janz Van, the culinary brains behind Janz Kitchen, when her business was suddenly shut down by the City of Malden Inspectional Services Department. Van shared her story with WBUR, telling them how the surprise closure of her operation almost pushed her out of business for good.
Fortunately, fans of the viral Boston-area empanadas were able to still get their hands on the tasty items — as well as a few other foods that Van has been perfecting over the years — while she’s bouncing around town to different venues…