Intrinsic to her Martinique and Haitian heritage is Guetty Antiste’s love of empanadas. She started making them for friends’ parties; during one such event she got a shout-out as the “Empanada Assassin” and the name stuck. As she expanded into catering, she began to hear the question: “Do you make gluten-free empanadas?” And, Antiste admits, “I didn’t even like to bake.”

But she dug in her heels to come up with a flaky puff-pastry crust. When she took samples to a GF friend and experienced her emotional reaction, Antiste went GF for the whole lineup. “It’s such a simple item but it means the world to people who can’t tolerate gluten,” she says.

Antiste came from the business world but felt her creativity restricted there. As she was deciding to make empanadas her career, she met the Hope & Main staff, graduated from their entrepreneurship program and is thrilled to pursue “an ongoing adventure.” She’s come up with fillings in 30 flavors, though she typically rotates among three: coconut curry potato, stewed chicken and beef. Her dessert “PiePanadas” range from pineapple cheesecake to chocolate ganache or fruit fillings.

Available at Hope & Main Makers Market, African Alliance Night Market and year-round in East Providence at the storefront May’s Gluten-Free Market. You can also order at EmpanadaAssassin.com.