Through Dream Cuisines, a cohort of newcomer women gain access to mentorship, kitchen space, and peer-based knowledge sharing as they build up their burgeoning food businesses and launch them into the mainstream.
Welcome Dream Cuisines 2026!
We are so excited to welcome the newest 2026 cohort of newcomer women into the Dream Cuisines program! This year, we are honoured to introduce:
Veronica Uribe, Colombia – Sharing traditional Colombian breads like pandebonos and pandeyucas, inspired by family and home cooking.
Reham Zarzour, Syria – Bringing vibrant Syrian flavours through dishes like ouzi and musakhan rolls.
Shellica Lai, Hong Kong – Creating nostalgic desserts like ovaltine mochi and White Rabbit candy donuts inspired by childhood memories.
Maria Carolina Lasarte, Argentina – Crafting Argentinian classics like medialunas, inspired by her grandmothers and artisanal traditions.
Amina Kihange, Tanzania – Sharing the rich, aromatic flavours of Tanzania through dishes like pilau, a dish central to celebration.
New This Year: Sous Chef Companions
Sous Chef Companions are a 1:1 mentorship element within the Dream Cuisines Food Business Program. These paid peer mentors are alumni who work closely with participants, offering guidance, accountability, and real-world insight throughout the program.
Our Sous Chef Companions this year are: Rana Alkari of Damaskino Pastry, María Yvett Cueto of Dulce Zaza, Angeles Canedo of Mis Cazuelas, Rocio Valderas of Ruka Cocina, and Vinaya Waghmode of Elaichi Patisserie.
Together with industry mentors, they will support participants build and grow sustainable food businesses.
2025 Impact Report
This year, we focus on five areas of impact: entrepreneurial competency, financial capacity, reciprocal support systems, cultural rootedness and integration into Canadian society, and autonomy. We’ve had the honour to witness our women cohort draw up their dreams and cook it into reality, as they grow through challenges and celebrate their wins - big and small, together.
“I think the program is very complete compared to others, especially because it takes you all the way to the markets, which is one of the most challenging parts for those of us who are just starting out - and that’s a great source of support.”
Watch 'Flavours of Hope: Nourishing Community, Cultivating Change' Documentary Film on CBC!
about the program
Dream Cuisines is empowering & equipping newcomer women entrepreneurs to make a living by doing what they excel at: cooking and sharing food! This 8-month immersive program addresses systemic barriers in the food industry, providing women with access to educational workshops, peer knowledge sharing, commissary kitchen space, sales channels, and a network of supportive relationships.
program tenets
Care and reciprocity
We prioritize the work of nurturance, care, and emotional support in programming, creating platforms for reciprocal relationships and meaningful connections between women, mentors, and other small business owners, so women’s businesses are bolstered by community and sustained for the road ahead.
Anti-racist & feminist framework
Built and led by women of colour, Dream Cuisines centres the voices and wisdom of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) in building, leading and facilitating programming. We work to combat systemic racism and oppression as we seek increased access and equity, with relationships at the centre of the work.
Heart & body centred
We emphasize a decolonial approach by integrating embodiment through breaths, pause, and paying attention to our bodily needs. Recognizing that women’s well-being is affected by multiple factors, we seek to provide holistic support and build trust—nurturing not just a business, but the whole person.
Prioritizing peer knowledge
We move away from traditional charity and service-provision models, and instead towards equipping women in their strengths. We notice and work to equalize power dynamics, seeking women’s self-determination in decision-making.
Collaboration and adaptation
In creating a program amidst an ever-evolving food landscape, we found imaginative ways to meet women’s need for flexible work and economic provision for their families.
Dream Cuisines is proudly supported by:
