Jackie & Jen, the empanada makers: For the love of people and good food

This is my craft

Two women on a mission to bringing empanadas to Vermont. Why? Because there weren’t any before. Plus, as an Argentinian Jackie was craving them. It’s that simple.

And yet there’s more to their story.

The fried or baked turnovers shaped like a crescent moon with its origin in Latin America and Southern Europe are typically filled with savory ingredients. But Jackie and Jen from Paprika out of Waterbury, Vt. are bringing these traditional pastries to the next Vermontee level.

After talking to many Vermont craft food and beverage makers over the past weeks and months, listening to their stories, it’s no surprise to me that Jackie and Jen’s empanadas got the Vermont twist that everybody - locals and visitors alike - loves. Apple butter, maple syrup and Vermont cheddar make their way into the always home made pastries.

The menu of Paprika reads like a tribute to both, Jackie’s country of origin - Argentina - and Vermont. And you wouldn’t be in Vermont if there weren’t any seasonal additions, too. Originally filled with meat, Jackie’s career at a vegan restaurant in Vermont inspired both to bring in some vegan and vegetarian choices as fillings for their empanadas, too.

Jackie found her way from Buenos Aires to Vermont via a detour. After spending several years in Colorado working in the restaurant industry she got asked to do a catering for a wedding in the state of Vermont. Her now wife, Jen, was ready to jump in, “Lets do it"!”

Both now are not only partners in life, but also in business. Experiencing them both during the interview I felt love and trust and deep appreciation for one another between the two of them.

Their business success - with their own brick and mortar location in Waterbury since January 2024 - is the result of this true partnership. The love for each other, for their friends and family as well as the Vermont community is what drives them. Local farmers that provide the ingredients for their empanadas and the small business community who supports them in their business endeavors.

Paprika’s restaurant isn’t just a place for good food and nutrition. It’s a safe place and space for the local community. “We want to create experiences for both, our guests and the people who work here. Connections with one another is what’s important to us,” both share with me.

Although past jobs were enjoyable for many reasons, opening Paprika was a dream come true, says Jackie.

Just recently Jen who has a background in the food industry as well was able to ditch her corporate job at a cyber security firm: “I just resigned from my position there so I can focus full time on Paprika! Monday was my first day, and I am just loving being able to dedicate my energy here.”

As they grow they want to bring in more people, they say: “We want to be doing something with our minds and hearts and share that with other people”

They’re also on a mission to help the local food industry grow, they tell me. One of their wholesale accounts lost their kitchen space after the devastating floods in the summer of 2023 and had to pivot their business approach.

Paprika is now bringing in their frozen empanadas that the Bar freshly cooks in Air fryers and serve with their drinks and beverages. This collaboration is a great example for a win-win partnership, for the local business is now back to serving food thanks to the weekly delivery of empanadas from Jackie and Jen.

But Jackie and Jen aren’t only supplying clients and guests with their empanadas. In increasing their production the small business is also helping the Vermont farms. The more ingredients and local products they use, the more the farmers need to grow, they say.

Coming from the specialty coffee world, where close relationships with everyone involved along the value chain is key to a successful business partnership, makes me appreciate Paprika in their ambitions serving the whole community even more.

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Paprika is located on 40 Foundry St. in Waterbury, Vt.

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