The Most Reliable Way To Predict The Future...

Over a year ago, Newcomer Kitchen lost its funding and I lost my job. Like many people facing unexpected change, I wasn't entirely sure what came next.

So I did what I know how to do. I kept moving.

I travelled. I spent time with family and friends. I reflected on what mattered most. And alongside a small but mighty team at Newcomer Kitchen, I continued volunteering and contributing where I could, even when the future felt uncertain.

For months, we kept plugging away because we believed in the work and shared a vision that newcomer women deserve opportunities to build businesses, confidence, and belonging.

Over the years at Newcomer Kitchen

Then things started to happen.

Funding was secured.

Meanwhile, Toronto was having a moment- recognized on the global stage. FIFA World Cup 2026™ was around the corner. The Depanneur, where NK started, received accolades for their cookbook and earned international acclaim, winning a Gold Medal at the 2025 Taste Canada Awards and three Gourmand International 'Best in the World' Cookbook Awards. 

The Depanneur Cookbook

What began as a food-related proposal, unexpectedly evolved into something completely different. Because FIFA World Cup 2026™'s existing sponsors already occupied many food categories, we pivoted and ultimately got approved to became an Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Licensee with a limited-edition cooling sports towel collection of three series- 6 towels instead.

Series 2- Towel D "We are the World in a City" is FIFA World Cup 2026™’s tag line

‘specially for the Six. Toronto is the most cosmopolitan city in the world and

we couldn't be prouder of our multicultural heritage.

What sounds simple on paper turned into a fascinating journey of applications, approvals, supplier sourcing, finding the right local production partner, compliance audits, licensing requirements, design reviews, shipment delays and countless hurdles along the way. Today, having our towels around our neck feels surreal. And being invited as a VIP licensee guest at Friday's FIFA World Cup 2026™ opening game was on another level.

At Canada vs. Qatar Game with Willowdale Councillor Lily Cheng

At the same time, another passion was quietly growing.

I embraced AI early, taking courses, attending workshops, following the rapid developments in the field, and exploring how it could be used thoughtfully to empower people rather than replace them.

Attending A Toronto Tech Week Event

Recently, I had the opportunity to incorporate AI into a food education program with a junior public school community. Together, we used technology, creativity, and storytelling to help families share recipes and experiences that ultimately became a community cookbook. Watching families see their stories and recipes come to life was incredibly rewarding.

With Lynnwood Principal Joy Reiter

Nutritious and Delicious Three-Protein Shakshouka

📢 I am so proud to announce, I've stepped into the role of Program Director and Program Development at Newcomer Kitchen Canada as we prepare for an exciting new chapter and national growth.

Farmer's Market during my early NK years as a trainer with my students

One of my priorities will be rebuilding and reimagining our food entrepreneurship training programs, combining the heart of community-building with the possibilities that AI can offer to support learning, creativity, and business development.

The future still feels uncertain. Perhaps it always will.

But I've learned that uncertainty isn't something to fear. It's an invitation to create.

To create with passion.

To create with joy.

To create with purpose.

And sometimes, when you keep showing up, believing, learning, and building, the future begins to meet you halfway 💖. 

Recipes Reimagined: Rethinking How We Cook in the Age of AI

It's been a minute ... on the heel of returning from Asia, I taught an online AI incorporated cooking class with families from a TDSB junior public school last week. It marked the first session of our two-part cooking workshop in Recipes Reimagined, and what a beautiful start it was 🥰.

Together, we explored how simple, everyday ingredients can come together in meaningful ways. We prepared a comforting one-pot lentil and rice soup paired with a vibrant pickled vegetable giardiniera- showing how one meal can be both nourishing and adaptable, and how a simple jar can extend flavour and reduce waste.

A large pot of lentils is inexpensive and stretchable.

It fosters the communal aspect that no one in the neighborhood should go hungry.

The giardiniera-style pickle is designed around using leftover vegetables, slightly soft produce, imperfect or discounted items. This reframes reduced-price food as resourceful and intentional, and as a practical way to salvage and extend the life of food at home.

I also introduced the thoughtful use of AI as a kitchen support tool. Families explored how it can help with menu planning, organizing recipes, and translating dishes across languages- all while keeping their own tastes, traditions, and judgment at the centre. 

Most of the stress isn’t cooking. It’s deciding. AI isn’t replacing your knowledge. It’s a planning helper. Think of AI as a highly organized kitchen helper who has read every cookbook in the world and remembers exactly what you have in your fridge. Just knowing a few simple AI tools can help us save recipes and food traditions.

Each participant was tasked to prepare a favourite recipe contribution from their family, including a story, food photo and artwork to culminate a cookbooklet for their school community 🔪📔

At the heart of it all was food sovereignty: having confidence and control over how we feed our families, using what we have, and honouring the foods that connect us to home.

AI isn’t here to replace what you know- it’s just there to make cooking a little easier and less stressful. Experience and judgment always come first, and like any tool, it’s not perfect. If we can teach our kids how to cook, think for themselves, and use tools wisely, we’re doing more than just making meals- we’re building stronger, more capable families for the future. And that’s what our project Recipes Reimagined is all about 👊💥

Grateful to everyone who joined, shared, and cooked along. This is just the beginning- looking forward to seeing these recipes and stories come to life in our upcoming cookbook and potluck celebration 🤗

If you would like to organize a cooking workshop, please contact me to arrange.

Celebrating Home, Heritage, and the Cookies That Connect Us

Reunited, and it feels so good 🎵🎶🎼🤗

We hadn’t seen some of these incredible women in so long, and gathering together again felt like coming home. There was something especially moving about celebrating in this setting- at One of A Kind’s 50th anniversary- scheduled on the brand-new Flavours Demo stage, a space built for sharing food, culture, and creativity.

Yes, I have been quietly working behind the scenes rebuilding and reimagining a new future at Newcomer Kitchen after a break, and it has not been anything short of exciting with the great little team we have- small but mighty 💪 and our leader who is a masterful storyteller and exudes passion from her heart 💗. Such honour to be part of this together!

Today, we offered something simple yet profoundly meaningful: cookies that carry our stories. Each alumna from Newcomer Kitchen brought forward a favourite cookie- one that reminded her of home, of the people she loves, and of the path that brought her to Canada.

These aren’t just recipes. They are memories held in dough, courage passed down through generations, and community formed one bite at a time. As each woman spoke, the room filled with nostalgia, laughter, and that unmistakable feeling of belonging. Their stories- of arrival, resilience, and renewal- reminded us why food is such a powerful connector.

Our storytellers were extraordinary. They shared their journeys with honesty and heart, and we were honoured to witness how Newcomer Kitchen has woven into their new beginnings.

The cookie map began as a playful idea and quickly became a beautiful way to show how far our flavours travel. We invited guests to share their favourite cookie and where it originated on the map (what a fun "science project" it was for me piecing it together with a panel for cookie hashtags on one side #bakeabetterworld #cookieconversations #thepowerofcookies, and Cookie Wishes on the other- May your cookies bring you connections! 

With Cookie Monster as our mascot 🍪🤗

Together, the map shows a world of traditions, memories, and journeys that now meet here in Canada. It is a reminder that a simple cookie can carry home with it, and when we share these treats, we also share pieces of who we are.

Now we invite you to be part of the Great Canadian Cookie Exchange. Share your cookie stories, your family favourites, and the treats that bring you comfort. Let’s keep these cookie conversations going and pass a little sweetness forward. 🍪🍪🍪

 Stay tuned for more exciting news from Newcomer Kitchen as we break for the holidays and emerge new and improved in 2026 🥳🎊!

A Kitchen Party Wrap Up At Newcomer Kitchen...

 

It has been a rollercoaster of emotions the last few weeks. Newcomer Kitchen did not get renewed IRCC government funding to continue program operations and our last day is the end of this month. In the midst, we were in full throttle organizing a Kitchen Party event that was part reunion for our alumni (inviting past students all the way since inception 2016) and a big heart thank you to our loyal customers and community partners over the years. 

In addition, we also launched THE GREAT CANADIAN COOKIE EXCHANGE which both promotes the spirit, generosity, variety and flavours of our Canadian communities.

Top left clockwise: With Cheryl Appleton, founder Canadian Women In Food, mother and daugter duo students and friends (the love here is real!), sisters and students, and Lola, one of the first graduates who runs a very successful Nigerian catering business Flawless Cuisine.

To top it all off, we had two graduations for the women completing the winter food business 'Willing To Work' programs and were ensuring we carved time to properly celebrate by handing their certificates, discussing their payouts and taking photos. 

Program Trainer Mary Freij and Hope Flavour

Program Trainer Rachel Adjei and Queens Cravings

At the Party we had:

Great food made by the talented graduating women in our entrepreneurship program...

Topping Rice Biryani Arancini Balls- A Hit!

Samples from our emerging entrepreneurs in our XP food incubator program...

XP Program Women Who've Started Their Own Businesses

Our #GreatCanadianCookieExchange concept- Bring a dozen cookies, take a dozen cookies!

And ended the night with a gorgeous and delicious slab Ukrainian honey cake (part grad, part party) prepared by my past lovely and talented Ukrainian student Liza.

It has been an incredible journey for me over the 3-1/2 years- I have been so honoured to work with such AmaZing and Inspirational women both in the organization and those I've trained in the programs and community partners I met along the way. It has been life-changing by broadening my perspectives and understandings around culture, food and different ways of doing things. I am forever grateful for each and every one who has crossed my path. Your impact will always remain. In the meantime, Newcomer Kitchen is looking forward to build relationships with potential funders and partners, and taking a big break to rejuvenate and reset. If I get the chance to come back, my arms and heart will be wide open once more. So long... for now.

Until then, looking forward and beyond... 

Adventures abound in my travels with my beloved brother to Asia ✈ and ExCited 

for my Chinese community project launch when I return 🤗... Yay! Stay Tuned.