Jamie Comstock is #MadeForKnoxville.
Motivated to preserve her family’s food traditions, Jamie is bringing a taste of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean to Knoxville.
Growing up, Jamie treasured the vibrant flavors of her Puerto Rican heritage. When she lost her father in 2021, she realized one way to honor and preserve his legacy was through food. She set to work developing her own recipes after noticing a glaring absence of Puerto Rican and Caribbean foods in Knoxville. For Jamie, the ultimate fulfillment comes from exposing a new audience to these delicious flavors. With previous experience as a sushi chef and a strong passion to carry on her family’s food traditions, she launched Nadas Empanada in 2022. She is currently cooking up empanadas for special orders and offering catering at local events.
“I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the rich and diverse cuisine of the Caribbean, and I’m proud to be the one bringing those flavors to Knoxville.”
In Their Own Words…
When I moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, I was struck by the lack of authentic Puerto Rican and Caribbean cuisine. As a lover of the culinary arts and a proud Puerto Rican, I couldn’t bear the thought of not sharing the bold, flavorful dishes that my family had passed down to me. So, I set out to bring those flavors to the people of Knoxville.
With passion and dedication, I began crafting Puerto Rican recipes using authentic ingredients and spices. And when I saw the smiles on my customers’ faces as they tasted the vibrant flavors of my food, I knew I had found my calling. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the rich and diverse cuisine of the Caribbean, and I’m proud to be the one bringing those flavors to Knoxville. So whether you’re a seasoned fan of Puerto Rican and Caribbean food or new to these flavors, come taste the passion and love that goes into every dish. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
What led to entrepreneurship:
In April of 2021 my father unexpectedly passed away. It was the most difficult thing I had to deal with. He was my biggest fan and supporter. He absolutely loved my food.
It was a challenge going back to work. I wasn’t focused and I definitely needed more time to grieve. I ended up quitting my job as a Sushi Chef and decided at that time, life is too short. I need to do what my heart has always desired. We moved South of Knoxville to a beautiful area in Tennessee. At that time I felt that it was time to take on entrepreneurship. My dad is definitely my inspiration. I also want to show my children that you can do whatever you put your mind to. You just have to believe in yourself.
Lessons learned:
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that failure is not the end. Failure has an uncanny way of serving as a stepping stone towards success. It teaches us resilience and the importance of perseverance. When we face setbacks, we are presented with an opportunity to reassess our approach, learn from our mistakes, and come back stronger than before.
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