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.
Applications Now Open: Dream Cuisines 2026
Apply Now: Calling all newcomer immigrant & refugee women who want to start a food business!
Dream Cuisines is Flavours of Hope’s annual food business program supporting 5 newcomer immigrant and refugee women to build and launch their food businesses into the community, including Vancouver Farmers Markets in the summer.
This is a hands-on, fast-paced program for participants ready to lead their own business development, supported by mentorship, workshops, and community.
Want to learn more? Join an info session to understand the program, expectations, and how to apply:
Monday, Jan 19 | 12:00–1:00 PM
Wednesday, Jan 21 | 6:00–7:00 PM
To register and receive the Zoom link, please email trixie@flavoursofhope.com.
You’re also invited to review the links below to:
Learn more about the program criteria and application process
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 9-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:
