WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- In today's The Dish, we head to West Philadelphia where a chef is serving up the authentic flavors of her Argentinian culture. At Jezabel's , every ingredient, every design element and every touch is hand crafted and home grown. "I grew up around the kitchen," says Jezabel Careaga.
"I just I was one of those kids that I love hanging out in the kitchen." Careaga grew up in Northwest Argentina making empanadas with her family. "As kids, we were only supposed to do work on the dough," she recalls.
"The older women, like my mom and my aunt, would shape them. I didn't learn to do it myself until I was an adult and I opened my space in Fitler Square." She opened Jezabel's Cafe in Fitler Square shortly after she moved here in 2009.
Why Philly? "An ex-boyfriend," she laughs. Careaga is now about to mark a milestone of making HER mark in the Philadelphia culinary scene: her 15th anniversary! "I think I'm always going to be working around food," she says. "For me, it's more about creating the space and being an entrepreneur.
" She now runs her entire operation on 45th Street in West Philly. "We relocated here in 2019," she says. "I was able to create this beautiful this space for my team.
" Her original storefront is now where walk-ins find pastries and coffee. She later expanded next door, where there's an open kitchen and seating before expanding again to include an event space. Everything here is homemade.
"All of the empanadas are made by hand," she says. .