MIAMI \u2014 What remains of Keto Kitchen 2 Go is a charred reminder of how quickly a thriving small business can be brought to a halt.<\/p>\n
An electrical fire in early December tore through the Allapattah food delivery company, destroying thousands of dollars\u2019 worth of equipment, ingredients and packing materials, according to owner Michele Areces.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s devastating on so many levels,\u201d Areces said.<\/p>\n
Fire damage left the kitchen unrecognizable, forcing the business to shut down just weeks before Christmas, a critical time for food service companies. <\/p>\n
Areces said the loss included essential kitchen equipment, and that the situation may have been worsened by earlier thefts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe compressors were stolen, and I think that put a lot of pressure on the electrical system,\u201d she said. \u201cThe chef actually came into work and found the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keto Kitchen 2 Go specialized in fully cooked meals delivered directly to customers\u2019 homes, all designed around the ketogenic diet. <\/p>\n
The concept grew out of Areces\u2019 personal health journey after she was diagnosed with Lyme disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband had heard someone had cured themselves in six months with keto,\u201d she said. \u201cWithin 24 hours I was able to get out of bed unassisted, which I couldn\u2019t before.\u201d<\/p>\n
What began as a home-based operation eventually expanded into a full-scale business serving customers across the area. That growth came to an abrupt stop with the fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a labor of love that turned into a business,\u201d Areces said. \u201cIt\u2019s my passion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since the fire, Areces has focused on cleanup while searching for a new location to restart the company. <\/p>\n
She said employees, along with their loved ones, have stepped in to help clear debris and salvage what they can.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a long road,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a long road.\u201d<\/p>\n