- IoT empanada machine CM05i
- Semi-automatic empanada machine CM05S
- Empanadas and arepas machine CM06
- Wheat empanada machine CM07
- Multifunctional empanadas and arepas machine CM06B
- Mixed empanadas and arepas machine CM08
The flavor of Colombian empanada in Pennsylvania (USA)
A total transformation. This is how Andrés Cáceres describes the changes that the Maquiempanadas machines have generated in his restaurant Cuquita, in Pennsylvania, USA.
Colombian, born in Tuluá and raised in La Paila (Valle del Cauca), he is an ambassador of the flavor of Colombian empanadas in the North American country, where he arrived in 1998 with his father and worked in several restaurants in the city before starting out.
In 2008 he acquired the restaurant and remembers that when they started, the empanadas were made by hand, with the help of a tortilla maker and a pataconera.
“The person in charge took eight hours to make between 300 and 400 empanadas, until we bought the first machine from Maquiempanadas, in 2010. So we started making about a thousand chicken empanadas and a thousand meat empanadas a week.”
He acknowledges that the change to technology was difficult, while they learned to operate the machine, but he is sure that it has been the best decision for his business, as it speeds up the production of empanadas and makes the work easier.
About two years ago they acquired a new machine for Cuquita, which is more modern and allows them to carry out the process of making empanadas in 45 minutes, maximum one hour. Thanks to machinery, nearly a thousand empanadas are now made a day.
Lose fear to undertake
Currently, Cuquita generates 7 direct jobs, but in high seasons there are 10 people who work in the business. In a week they sell between 4,000 and 5,000 empanadas of the three types they make: meat, chicken and cheese. “We are waiting for a contract that we hope will be very good, for the wineries of a large company. They asked us for 3,500 empanadas for the two shifts they have. Those things drive us a lot,” says Andrés.
Cuquita is a restaurant we have space for 40 people. In addition to empanadas, it offers an extensive menu that includes tumbana paisa, roast meats, churrasco and seafood.
Although he recognizes that it is difficult to start a business, especially when the businessman is a complete entrepreneur because he cooks, runs homes and also does the accounts, he assures that it is a decision that has given him satisfaction, since he learns every day. “There is no need to be afraid. When we started we felt that, but things should always be done by the hand of God and in the best possible way. You always have to look forward
Andrés Cáceres sends a message for Maquiempanadas in its 10 years of creation: “For me Maquiempanadas means production, technology and quality.”