In every bite, I want people to feel the love and care, and to feel closer to Argentina.” That has always been Ana Valdemoros’s hope with Argentina’s Best Empanadas. Born in Córdoba and raised in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, Ana came to Salt Lake City in 2000 to study city planning at the University of Utah. At the time, there were few options for traditional Argentine food.

“My grandma Rosa made everything with love. Watching her cook was like watching someone do magic with their hands - and it stuck with me.” Chris Blatchford, owner of Blatch’s BBQ, might not have realized it at the time, but those early years in San Diego watching his grandmother create Mexican dishes from scratch left a lasting impression.

“I get here at two in the morning, start baking, and by five, there’s already a line. But every day, I feel grateful. I see the same smiling faces, and they make me smile, too.” Brenda Le’s joy behind the counter at Fresh Donuts & Deli is unmistakable.

“I’ve always believed that taste has the power to transport us back to special times in our lives. When I lived in Taiwan and Hong Kong, I became deeply attached to the food, especially dumplings, and that craving stayed with me.”

“Every day, I feel that life is a gift, and working at RubySnap has given me the opportunity to connect with incredible people from all over the world,” says Michelle Brockman, the store manager.

Max Nelson grew up in a tiny town of 100 people in northern Minnesota, where hunting, fishing, and farming were part of daily life. “That’s where my love for food came from,” he recalls. “We were always eating really fresh food.” This early exposure to homegrown ingredients laid the foundation for his future culinary endeavors.