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.
However, come September, things will change again for Van, as she announces a major career milestone. This is one that is really worth celebrating, since it’s a far cry from the Facebook Marketplace she once relied on to sell her food.
Van’s Empanadas Went Viral in Boston
According to WBUR, Van first experienced the rush of success after the Philippines native realized that Filipino Ilocos empanadas were having a moment on social media. The bright orange food had become very popular online, but unfortunately for fans of the flavor, they were really hard to come by in Boston.
That’s when Van decided to follow the lead of some other home cooks she’d seen online and start selling the dish on Facebook Marketplace and TikTok. Her account quickly blew up, and the outlet said she was making almost 150 empanadas a day on Friday and Saturday, when she worked for herself instead of in her full-time position as a line cook at the Seaport.
Her Fame Got Her in Trouble
Viral videos and word of mouth may have padded Van’s wallet, but it also led to her temporary downfall. According to Boston, she also caught the attention of Malden’s Board of Health, which issued Van a code violation.
“Unfortunately, in Malden it is not allowed at all to have a residential kitchen permit, it is forbidden by the zoning ordinance,” an email exchange between a board employee and Van said. “In order to operate legally, you will need to find a commercial kitchen to operate out of.”
Van Figured Out Another Way to Sell Her Food
Janz Kitchen was invited to operate out of a variety of different places around town, including a bowling alley kitchen temporarily, according to Boston. In September, she will begin renting a space from a commercial kitchen in town.
However, her ultimate goal is to get a food truck to run Janz Kitchen independently, and she’s begun a GoFundMe to try to raise the capital needed to get started.