Five mothers launch food businesses at Flavours of Hope showcase
June 26 event celebrates Dream Cuisines cohort bringing Tanzanian, Spanish, Syrian, East Asian, and Colombian cuisine to Vancouver.
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Flavours of Hope is hosting an evening on June 26 that centers on food, but it's really about the people behind it — and the recipes they carried with them across continents.
The organization's Dream Cuisines Food Business Program is launching five new food businesses run by immigrant mothers who are turning culinary tradition into economic independence. The event doubles as a public celebration and a chance for Vancouver to meet these entrepreneurs at the beginning of something.
Amina Kihange is launching Tanga Spice Kitchen, blending professional culinary skill with the rich food traditions of Tanzania. Her signature dish, pilau, is a fragrant spiced rice dish made with beef or lamb, potatoes, and warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin.
Caro Lasarte is opening Lasarte Bake Shop, bringing artisanal pastry traditions from her time studying and working in Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina. She's currently pursuing a teaching degree in pastry, with hopes of sharing both expertise and the joy that comes with being in the kitchen.
Reham Zarzour is running Levant Gourmet, deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of her family. She focuses on authentic Syrian flavours through dishes like ouzi and musakhan rolls, working alongside her mother — a Dream Cuisines alumna and fellow food business owner.
Shellica Lai is opening Dough Re Mi, a self-taught baker who previously ran a dessert business in Hong Kong. Her recipes are inspired by childhood nostalgia — East Asian snacks like Ovaltine chocolate and White Rabbit candy that offer customers a "small escape" from daily stress.
Vero Uribe is launching Happy Bites, bringing the warmth of a Colombian breakfast table and the comfort of family gatherings. She was a business administrator before discovering her calling in baking, and now shares a side of Latin cuisine that is rich in tradition yet often overlooked.
For many newcomers, food becomes a bridge between past and present — and for these women, it's also becoming the foundation for businesses that create independence and confidence. The event celebrates that transformation.
The showcase runs June 26; details available through Flavours of Hope.