Celebrating the 2024 Cohort of Dream Cuisines at Vancouver Farmers Markets
At Vancouver Farmers Markets, we’re thrilled to introduce the 2024 cohort of Dream Cuisines, a powerful initiative from Flavours of Hope. This non-profit social enterprise that envisions newcomer women flourishing and experiencing belonging through cooking, storytelling, community-building, and entrepreneurship. The program helps them to break down barriers of being immigrant women of color and earn an income of dignity while sharing the rich culinary traditions of their home countries.
Flavours of Hope provides these talented women with the skills, knowledge, and community connections to bring their food dreams to life. Coho Commissary, the program’s long-standing kitchen partner, offers commercial space for these budding entrepreneurs, while Vancouver Farmers Markets proudly provides them with a platform to sell their goods and connect directly with our vibrant local community.
Now in it’s fourth year, this year’s Dream Cuisines cohort showcases the diverse and delicious flavors from around the world, with five incredible women-led businesses ready to share their culinary heritage. Let’s meet the 2024 cohort:
Fariya Bakery | Zahra Babajanipour
From Iran, Zahra Babajanipour brings the authentic flavors of Persian bread to Vancouver through her venture, Fariya Bakery. She shares her love for baking with the community by offering delicious traditional breads like Barbari, Poacha, Simit, and Frinda. Zahra takes pride in using simple, traditional ingredients and techniques to create food that is both nourishing and easy to enjoy.
Signature Dish: Barbari – A Persian flatbread made with love, perfect for daily enjoyment.
Instagram: @fariyabakery2024
Everything Za’atar | Bushra Elias
Hailing from Damascus, Syria, Bushra Elias and her daughters Lora and Loujein bring the rich flavors of Za’atar to Vancouver. Everything Za’atar celebrates this beloved Middle Eastern spice blend through delicious dishes like Manakeesh, pita chips, and even Za’atar-infused croissants. Bushra’s joy comes from sharing her family’s culinary traditions and her signature Za’atar mix, passed down through generations.
Signature Dish: Everything Za’atar Manakeesh – A flatbread topped with organic wild thyme, baked to perfection.
Instagram: @everythingzaatar_
Darna Moroccan Flavours | Chaima Chmale
Chaima Chmale invites you to savor the taste of Morocco through Darna Moroccan Flavours. Specializing in a wide array of Moroccan cookies, like Fekkas and gluten-free Almond Glaze Cherry, Chaima combines her culinary passion with her family’s rich traditions. Her use of classic Moroccan ingredients like saffron and preserved lemons adds an authentic touch to every dish.
Signature Dish: Saffron-Preserved Lemon Chicken Tagine – A fragrant and flavorful dish that brings warmth to the table.
Instagram: @darnamoroccanflavours
Dar Darak Samira Kitchen | Samira Mohammed
With roots in Palestine and Saudi Arabia, Samira Mohammed brings the warmth of her heritage to Vancouver through Dar Darak Samira Kitchen. Inspired by her mother and grandmother’s recipes, Samira’s menu features a blend of savory and sweet dishes, from falafel and hummus to traditional pastries like Baklava and Basbousa. Her business name, “Dar Darak,” means “my house is your house,” perfectly reflecting her welcoming spirit.
Signature Dish: Traditional Palestinian Falafel – A crispy, flavorful falafel that’s perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Instagram: @dar_darak_samira_kitchen
Delia’s Mexican Bite | Delia Fuentes
Delia Fuentes brings the sweet and comforting flavors of Mexican baked goods to Vancouver through Delia’s Mexican Bite. Her passion for baking, passed down from her mother, is reflected in her decadent Tres Leches Cake, Conchas, and other traditional treats like Pan de Muerto. Every bite is a celebration of her Mexican heritage and her dedication to high-quality, homemade delights.
Signature Dish: Tres Leches Cake – A sponge cake soaked in three types of milk for the perfect balance of richness and sweetness.
Instagram: @deliasmexicanbite
Dream Cuisines: A Community Effort
For these women, launching a food business in Vancouver has required overcoming unique challenges, from navigating local regulations to adjusting to new cultural norms. Through the Dream Cuisines program, Flavours of Hope helps these entrepreneurs succeed by offering vital resources like commissary kitchen space at Coho Commissary, guidance in obtaining permits, and the opportunity to connect with Vancouver Farmers Markets to sell their products and grow their customer base.
This summer, the Dream Cuisines cohort enjoyed an enriching season at the markets, thanks to the supportive and nurturing platform provided by Vancouver Farmers Markets. Engaging with customers, networking with fellow vendors, and building their businesses in such a dynamic setting gave them an opportunity to not only share their culinary creations but also hone their communication and interpersonal skills. The women are incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and for the welcoming community they found at the markets, which helped amplify their new ventures.
By supporting Dream Cuisines at Vancouver Farmers Markets, you’re not just buying delicious food – you’re also contributing to a greater cause. You’re helping to empower immigrant women, celebrate diversity, and foster community connections. We’re proud to be a part of their journey and excited for you to experience their incredible culinary offerings!
So come on down, support these amazing women, and treat yourself to flavors from around the world – all while shopping local and making a difference in the lives of our Dream Cuisines cohort.
