Paula Tejeda - Founder & Owner
Paula Tejeda (aka The Girl From Empanada) is a native New Yorker of Chilean ancestry whose formative years between the United States and Chile granted her with unique bicultural insight and first-rate bilingual fluency in Spanish and English. Her multicultural insight is exceptional.
Tejeda’s diverse professional and artistic background includes community outreach, event production, radio and television production, dance and theatre. She is a published columnist and poet. She also publishes a periodic newsletter focused on local and Chilean current events, consistently engaging a diverse readership with an exceptional open rate exceeding 45%.
Awards and Certifications
San Francisco Legacy Business
City & County of San Francisco, 2025
Most Creative Outdoor Dining Experience
The Bold Italic, 2021
Best of San Francisco
San Francisco Magazine, 2016
Cultural Ambassador of Viña del Mar, Chile
Sausalito/Viña del Mar Sister Cities, 2012
Best Hot Pockets – Best of San Francisco
SF Weekly, 2010
Gabriela Mistral Prize for Excellence in Hispanic Letters
Mills College, 2008
Small Business of the Year
SF Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 1999
Greater Mission “Best Business” Award
Mission Merchants, 1996