A catering company based in Chestnut Ridge is facing fines for illegally making food out of a building in Suffern, according to officials.

The village says Continental Kosher Catering was operating without the proper permits.

"If they want to operate in the Village of Suffern, you have to comply with all of the local laws,” says Mayor Edward Markunas.

Continental Kosher Catering just moved into a section of the former Novartis building back in January. Village officials say the company has no certificate of occupancy or certificate of use, but was up and running.

The village says they got a tip that work was going on inside the building. When officials arrived Thursday, they found approximately 50 employees inside.

"It was a full-blown operation of, I believe, making waffles," says the mayor.

Employees evacuated the building and won't be allowed back inside until further notice. The Building Department issued a stop-work order that remains in effect until the company is no longer in violation.

News 12 reached out to Continental Kosher Catering, but has not heard back. The owners will have to appear in village court, where they face thousands of dollars in fines.