Food Hall TO's first five student entrepreneurs are being trained on everything from how to hold a knife properly to how to order supplies and price food, all while running their own kitchens. (Ethan Lang/CBC)
A food court in North York has been repurposed into a training hub for newcomers to Canada, providing them with opportunities to enter the hospitality industry. Food Hall TO, situated near North York Centre, officially opened its doors on April 5, offering diverse cuisines from five different kiosks. This initiative, spearheaded by the City of Toronto and Feed Scarborough, aims to support new Canadians in establishing their presence in the food business.
Tracey Fowler, the lead mentor at Food Hall TO, emphasizes that the establishment serves not only as a dining venue but also as an educational platform. With her extensive background in food service and teaching hospitality, Fowler guides "student entrepreneurs" through practical learning experiences within a functioning kitchen.
Operated by clients and volunteers of Feed Scarborough, the kiosks provide hands-on training to individuals who have recently immigrated to Canada and aspire to become food business owners. Through a lease agreement with the city, Feed Scarborough facilitates mentorship programs to educate vendors on various aspects of running a food enterprise, including culinary skills, cost management, and procurement.
Prospective vendors are expected to demonstrate a genuine commitment to settling in the province or territory that nominates them for immigration. This intention must be evident upon their arrival in Canada, and they are required to make sincere efforts to integrate into their chosen community. These efforts, which may include employment, education, or community involvement, should be well-documented to ensure compliance with program requirements.
On the other hand, immigrants selected through federal immigration programs are not bound to any specific province or territory upon arrival in Canada. They have the freedom to choose their place of residence within the country, offering them greater flexibility in their settlement options.
Participants in the program come from diverse backgrounds, each with their own aspirations and dreams. Among them are an Indian couple focusing on vegan food trucks, a refugee from Bangladesh exploring new culinary ventures, and a Congolese refugee specializing in Caribbean cuisine. For many, this initiative represents a newfound sense of community and opportunity in their adopted homeland.
Sylvester Kamau, a refugee from Kenya, sees Food Hall TO as a chance to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions in a welcoming environment. With guidance from experienced mentors like Fowler, Kamau aims to blend Kenyan and Vietnamese cuisine in his future business endeavors.
The program operates on a six-month term basis for participating vendors, during which they receive comprehensive training and support. At the conclusion of this period, vendors have the option to extend their stay or embark on their own entrepreneurial ventures with the assistance of mentors.
Food Hall TO's inception follows the closure of a previous city-led initiative called Flip Kitchens, which failed to deliver promised support to aspiring restaurateurs. In response, Feed Scarborough revamped the program to cater specifically to newcomers, offering them a stipend instead of rent and prioritizing mentorship and training.
Suman Roy, the founder of Feed Scarborough, envisions Food Hall TO as a platform for newcomers to realize their Canadian dreams. Drawing from his own experiences as an immigrant, Roy aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the necessary resources and guidance to succeed in the food industry.
In summary, Food Hall TO represents a collaborative effort between the City of Toronto and Feed Scarborough to empower newcomers through practical training and mentorship opportunities in the hospitality sector. Through this initiative, participants are equipped with the skills and support they need to thrive in their new home country.
