By Trudy Tumusime
Every other week, something magical happens at the MNLC Queen Street Office kitchen.
The air fills with the aromas of spices. Laughter bounces off the walls. Pots simmer, pans sizzle, and hands work in harmony – in a shared space where strangers have become a community. It is the MNLC community kitchen! The women here aren’t just cooking – they are stirring up skills, confidence, connection, and the courage to build something of their own.
We created the community kitchen to open a space for community building and integration, especially for newcomers and those who face challenges entering the labour market,” says Saul Olmos, MNLC case worker, who oversees the Kitchen.
For many newcomers – particularly women – the transition to life in Canada comes with hurdles that impede easy finding or starting of employment. Now, through every dish, shared experiences as newcomers and love for food, these ladies are turning their culinary passion into possibility, and the kitchen into a launchpad for their future work.
This is a pilot project, open to all newcomers. It began with over 20 individuals from different Latin American countries, many of whom have cooking experience and are eager to start a business. Today, 15 are participating, 10 of whom are actively involved in every session.
Participants take turns preparing a dish from their home country, step by step building a recipe book and menu that they can use for future sales. “The goal is to help participants start their own food business.” Saul notes.
A small grant helped cover the cost of ingredients and funded food handler certification for the participants. They have already received business registration guidance from a lawyer and an accountant.
With this strong momentum, and a determined lot of participants, the plan is to replicate the project in North York where most of our clients live.
The Queen kitchen has become a retreat for many participants, but we need a kitchen closer to where they live,” Saul says.
At MNLC, a place where community and neighbours come together to support for newcomer success, this project means a lot. Though resources are limited, Saul hopes that this project becomes a model for other organizations. “The participants are happy and motivated, but the real measure of success will be when they register their business as a Coop or commercial business.”
The pilot began mid-February and runs until the end of September 2025, after which it will be evaluated to determine continuity pending funding.
