Dream Cuisines is a Vancouver non-profit that supports newcomer refugee and immigrant women through cooking, storytelling, community-building\u00a0and entrepreneurship. <\/p>\n
Food is often the first thing we share when we’re building a new life somewhere unfamiliar.<\/p>\n
For five newcomer mothers in Vancouver, it’s also become the foundation of new businesses, a way to preserve family traditions, and a means of introducing their cultures to a new community.<\/p>\n
Those women are part of Dream Cuisines, a food business incubator operated Flavours of Hope<\/a>, a Vancouver non-profit that supports newcomer refugee and immigrant women through cooking, storytelling, community-building\u00a0and entrepreneurship. Through mentorship, workshops, access to commercial kitchen space\u00a0and community partnerships, the organization helps women transform culinary skills and family recipes into viable businesses.<\/p>\n On June 26, the public will have an opportunity to meet the latest cohort at From Mother’s Land to Mother’s Table<\/a>, Flavours of Hope’s annual Dream Cuisines business launch. The event celebrates five mothers who are transforming cherished family recipes into food businesses while sharing the stories, traditions\u00a0and flavours of the countries they left behind.<\/p>\n This year’s theme reflects the experiences of women balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood\u00a0and the challenges of building a new life in Canada.<\/p>\n “The newcomer women entrepreneurs are incredible mothers who work hard to support their family, nourish our community and proudly represent their culture through food,” says Flavours of Hope founder Trixie Ling. “They want to bring a taste of home to our community and share their memories and stories through their food business.”<\/p>\n Held at And-Co Offices in downtown Vancouver, the evening will feature food available for purchase from the 2026 Dream Cuisines cohort, along with several alumni entrepreneurs whose businesses have already found devoted followings through farmers markets, catering\u00a0and the Flavours of Hope Caf\u00e9 at Granville Island Public Market.<\/p>\n Founded in Vancouver, Flavours of Hope aims to create opportunities for newcomer women to build social connections, achieve economic empowerment\u00a0and share their cultures with pride. Ling started the program as many participants face language barriers, financial challenges, limited professional networks\u00a0and difficulties accessing affordable commercial kitchen space while trying to launch a business in a new country.<\/p>\n Through its eight-month Dream Cuisines food business program, participants receive mentorship, one-on-one support, business resources, startup funding\u00a0and access to community partnerships that help transform culinary talent into sustainable businesses.<\/p>\n For many participants, the businesses are about more than entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n “Food is part of who we are, where we come from, and our connections to our past ancestors, present community and future generations,” Ling says.<\/p>\n Food can be especially meaningful for newcomers rebuilding their lives in a new country, serving to maintain cultural connections while creating a sense of belonging in their adopted community.<\/p>\n Meet the 2026 Dream Cuisines cohort<\/p>\n Tanga Spice Kitchen<\/p>\n Founder Amina Kihange showcases the flavours of Tanzania through dishes such as pilau, a fragrant rice dish made with warming spices, potatoes\u00a0and beef or lamb.<\/p>\n Lasarte Bake Shop<\/p>\n Chef Caro Lasarte draws on experience gained in Spain, Uruguay and Argentina to create baked goods inspired by family traditions and the comfort of home.<\/p>\n Levant Gourmet<\/p>\n Reham Zarzour celebrates Syrian cuisine through dishes such as ouzi and musakhan rolls, sharing recipes rooted in family heritage.<\/p>\n Dough Re Mi<\/p>\n Former Hong Kong dessert entrepreneur Shellica Lai creates nostalgic treats inspired by beloved East Asian flavours including Ovaltine chocolate and White Rabbit candy.<\/p>\n Happy Bites<\/p>\n Veronica Uribe brings the flavours of Colombia to Vancouver through baking and traditional recipes inspired by family gatherings and home cooking.<\/p>\n Alumni businesses returning to the event<\/p>\n Several Dream Cuisines graduates will also be participating in the launch celebration.<\/p>\n Sabor a Yucatan shares authentic Yucatecan dishes and drinks inspired by family recipes passed down through generations.<\/p>\n Ruka Cocina specializes in Chilean empanadas and baked goods inspired by founder Rocio Valderas’s upbringing in southern Chile.<\/p>\n Angeliz Colombian Food showcases Colombian flavours through handcrafted empanadas and traditional desserts such as arroz con leche.<\/p>\n Beyond showcasing emerging food businesses, organizers hope the event encourages deeper connections between cultures.<\/p>\n “I hope that people who come to our event will learn more about the diverse cultures represented in our community through food and stories from newcomer women entrepreneurs,” Ling says. “My hope is that people will reflect on their own food and memories from their motherland and build a deeper sense of connections and community.”<\/p>\n From Mother’s Land to Mother’s Table<\/p>\n When: Friday, June 26, 2026, from 5:30\u00a0to 8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Where: And-Co Offices, 1575 W\u00a0Georgia St., Vancouver<\/p>\n Cost: Admission is by donation, with proceeds supporting future participants in the Dream Cuisines Food Business Program. Tickets<\/a><\/p>\n