speakers & mentors
It takes a village to launch a business! Dream Cuisines gathers support, expertise, and know-how from a multitude, with a priority on BIPOC mentorship. Meet the amazing people who are generously guiding our cohort, sharing tips and resources, and leading workshops for this year’s program.
Jordan Hocking (she/her)
Sriracha Revolver Hot Sauce | @sriracharevolver
Jordan Hocking is the founder and owner of Sriracha Revolver Hot Sauce. Jordan is a passionate home cook and world traveller, as well as a member of Sweetgrass First Nation (Treaty 6 territory). Travelling and feasting are both very nêhiyawak (Cree people) traits. Jordan says, “Creating food for my community means to cook with my heart and with the intention of nourishing folks through food. My recipes are pieces of my travels brought together into food that is both delicious, and culturally crafted. Hot sauce is my vehicle to share my cultural values in practice: to nourish and connect and to bring community together. Through my experience, I hope to be able to share the insights and experience I have learned as a food entrepreneur with new passionate and entrepreneurial woman who also have their own story to tell.”
Archana Samtani Singhania (she/her)
With over 10 years of experience in the areas of business development, strategy, operations, and business management, Archana now uses her skills to help others start and grow their businesses as a business advisor at WeBC. She also brings expertise in the areas of food production, retail, and international trade. Archana is dedicated to the development of others and is always keen to challenge assumptions and help people overcome their roadblocks, all while offering a kind and empathetic approach. As a FITT-certified Business Advisor for WeBC, Archana she can help women with their import/export queries as well. She shares her real-world experience with women Entrepreneurs helping them to navigate all phases of organizational growth. Archana holds an MBA degree and when she is not working, you will find her buried behind her Kindle reading fiction or trekking with her husband and adorable son.
Asha Wheeldon (she/her)
Asha Wheeldon is founder and owner of KULA, an Afrocentric plant-based food producer and online local market. Her journey began in Kenya where sharing food in community was an important part of every day. When she migrated to Toronto as a young teenager, she was introduced to West African, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern cuisine, and after moving to Vancouver, she was inspired to create something unique: the beginning of KULA! KULA is a proudly Black-owned vegan food business that brings together food sustainability, cultural pride, and community building. Asha is excited to connect with the incredible women who are gearing up to launch their food business and share her entrepreneurial wisdom and experience.
Mairin Deery (she/her)
Mairin is a Vancouver-based brand strategist and creative director with nearly a decade of experience helping mission-driven organizations find their voice. As a graphic designer, she believes that the most powerful brands aren't built on logos or taglines, they're built on the fundamental truths of lived experiences. Joining Flavours of Hope as a brand and marketing advisor feels like a natural extension of that conviction. She's here to help ensure the women in this program's stories are told with the care, dignity, and visibility they deserve.
Kim Acedo (she/her)
Transformation Wellness for Women
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kim immigrated to Vancouver in 2018. With a Taiwanese mother and a Mexican father, Kim grew up in her parents' small restaurant, where she was immersed in a rich blend of cultures and flavours. While she loves good food, Kim is equally passionate about health and wellness, making her role as a Health & Well-being Coach for Midlife+ Women a perfect match. As the owner of Transformation Wellness for Women, Kim offers her clients the guidance, support, and accountability they need to develop sustainable healthy habits and behaviours, while fostering confidence, resilience, hope, and self-motivation along the way. Outside of work, you can often find Kim enjoying a stroll (and a snack!) along the seawall with her partner, Christine.
Tushar Tondvalkar (he/him)
The Indian Pantry I @theindianpantry_
Tushar Tondvalkar is a celebrated Chef and Owner of the Indian Pantry in Metro Vancouver, specializing in contemporary Indian cuisine. In 2023, he co-founded Frankie Street Food, a Bombay-inspired wraps and burgers food truck in partnership with Brave Brewing Co. Notable for winning of Season 1 Episode 4 of the show “Chefs Vs Wild '' on Hulu and Disney+, Tushar is dedicated to showcasing regional Indian flavours. With internships at Bangkok’s renowned restaurants Gaggan and Gaa, and experience at top Vancouver restaurants like Bauhaus, Fish House, and Blue Water Cafe, Tushar is on a mission to highlight the dynamic nature of Indian cuisine while preserving its authentic flavours.
Diana Nguyen (she/her)
Research & Development Scientist
Diana Nguyen is a food scientist with a background in research and development. She has worked in Canada’s food and pharmaceutical world launching CPG (consumer packaged goods) and new product innovations into markets. She’s worked with many national food brands and small business vendors in creating, launching, troubleshooting, or improving efficiencies in their scale-up process. As a life-long student of food’s cultural impact, she seeks roles that combine her love for travel and adventure. She believes in the power of food and connecting with people through the experience of slow and indulgent meals. Diana is thrilled to contribute in turning a unique food dream into a reality for women.
Racel Lomotan (she/her)
Leavenly Goods | @leavenlygoods
Racel Lomotan is the founder and owner of Leavenly Goods, which was born from a lifelong desire to share food with people. She has always loved pastries, breads, and desserts, and the happiness they bring to others. When she used to work in her mother’s merchandising store, she would put her hard-earned money towards a pack of pre-made chocolate croissants (like the dollar store kind, but in the Philippines, sold in grocery stores). It’s still a fond memory! Racel is excited to be part of Dream Cuisines, supporting newcomer women entrepreneurs pursue their dreams and break into the food industry.
Mariam Demian (she/her)
Caffeinated Media I @caffeinated_media
Mariam Demian works with businesses to elevate their online presence – from branding to website design – through her company Caffeinated Media Solutions. She recently went back to her homeland in Egypt, where she rediscovered amazing street food and came back inspired to recreate her favourite dishes, especially koshary! She admires Flavours of Hope’s hands-on learning and believes that it kindles opportunities for the participants throughout their entrepreneurial journeys. As an immigrant herself, she is looking forward to providing the help that newcomers need through the Dream Cuisines program.
Sophie Salmon (she/her)
L'Atelier Wildbirds | To My Exes
With over 15 years of experience managing hospitality venues worldwide, Sophie is a dynamic and creative entrepreneur with a passion for business development and community-driven events. She excels in launching innovative concepts, streamlining processes, and driving business growth. Originally from France, Sophie’s deep love for the Food & Beverage industry has been a guiding force throughout her career. An entrepreneurial spirit, she founded two successful ventures in Vancouver: L'Atelier Wildbirds, a jewelry brand, and To My Exes, a wine and cheese pop-up event collective. Sophie is thrilled to join as a mentor, with a particular focus on empowering women to start a new life in a new country and build a thriving food business.
Christina Kouch Tran (she/her)
christinaktran.ca | @chriskdesigns
At the core of her practice as a graphic designer and illustrator, Christina believes in the art of storytelling through bold imagery and conceptual thinking. She is passionate about working with POC-owned businesses and organizations to position themselves as joyful leaders and creative storytellers in their community. Christina loves an intensive brand strategy brainstorm, and she is eager to work with new clients no matter what stage they are at with their business idea. She is also just as eager to try new foods and connect with people over a delicious savoury meal.
Mithalee Rawat (she/her)
Shorba Bone Broth | @shorbabonebroth
Mithalee Rawat is the founder of Shorba Bone Broth, which offers nourishing gut-friendly bone broths rooted in Ayurvedic principles. She grew up amidst a family of food people (her mother went to culinary school, her father and auntie were avid home cooks, and two of her uncles were professional chefs) and was exposed to myriad Indian and international cuisines since birth. Her husband says that this explains her ridiculously high standards for food! Mithalee is inspired by the mission of Dream Cuisines in empowering newcomer women by leveraging their food skills. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience, especially pertaining to the Farmers Market, and to support the cohort’s success.
Annabelle Choi (she/her)
Annabelle Choi Studio | @annabellechoistudio
Annabelle Choi is a chef, teacher, and facilitator, interested in food's ability to connect people from all walks of life. Memories of her Korean immigrant family adventuring in nature together still evoke contentment; on those occasions, her mother would wake up early to pack multiple Tupperwares of kimbap. They'd always be accompanied by an equal presence of kimchi cajoled from a church ajumma (aunty). Throughout her career, Annabelle has collaborated with Firebelly Design, Kinfolk Magazine, ArtStarts, and others. She teaches workshops on sourdough and fermenting through her eponymous studio, and has established a robust creative food consultancy, with a focus on artisanal baking. Dream Cuisines has inspired Annabelle since its inception, as her passion is to better understand how we can connect with neighbours through our senses and shared food stories.
Mina Haghighi (she/her)
Mina Haghighi is passionate about mentoring women entrepreneurs and building understanding and literacy on crucial business components, such as cash flow, budgeting, and financial planning. She moved to Vancouver in 2003 with her family from Iran. Her first job in Canada was at a pizza place, which led to her being designated the dough maker on pizza nights with her big extended family (who are also all foodies!). In her family, gatherings always revolve around food: Persian stews, saffron rice, eggplant dip, and shirazi salad. Mina’s work is dedicated to supporting small businesses, building community and connecting like-minded individuals. She’s looking forward to participating in the Dream Cuisines vision for the second year, helping women launch their food businesses and define success on their own terms.
Destiny Hoostie (she/her) & Kelsey Coutts (she/her)
Bangin’ Bannock |@banginbannock
Kelsey Coutts is of mixed Nakazdli (from Fort St James) and Irish/Scottish descent. She met Destiny through an Indigenous youth entrepreneurship program, and together they created what Bangin’ Bannock is today: a consistent, delicious, golden frybread business.
Destiny Hoostie’s Indigenous roots are Assiniboine from White Bear First Nations in Saskatchewan. She is a mother of three loving children, and entrepreneur as of 2021 when she and Kelsey started Bangin’ Bannock. She has endless memories of eating bannock as a child, always a treat in her family. Destiny is passionate about shifting the narrative of assimilation towards honouring and creating space for difference.
Bangin’ Bannock has been an incredible journey and opportunity to share a culturally loved favourite, as well as a platform for speaking about Indigenous issues, histories, and culture.
Dayle Kennedy (she/her) and Cass Helps (they/them)
Tall Shadow Bakery I @tallshadowbakery
Dayle and Cass, the duo behind Tall Shadow Bakery, specialize in sourdough - one they deem as requiring “time, patience, and a sense of humour.” Having broken a brand new mixer at her school in 10th grade, Dayle thought it would be the first and last one she would ever use. Twenty years later, she co-owns a bakery and confidently uses a mixer everyday! Cass recalls their favourite food memories during the time their mother worked as a cook at a logging camp: large pans of cinnamon buns being pulled out of the oven, massive trays of nanaimo bars being assembled and huge pots of chili and cornbread for everybody. They first heard about Dream Cuisines through Coho Commissary and the Vancouver Farmers Markets. Knowing that there are many barriers to starting a food business in Vancouver, Dayle and Cass believe in paying forward the help that they received in taking their business off the ground, which is why they are so excited to be a part of Dream Cuisines.
Nikki Nassiri (she/her)
Vancity Credit Union | @vancityu
Nikki Nassari immigrated from Iran twenty years ago, and started her own business five years after she came to Canada. At the time, she was a mother of two small boys, and her family was her motivation to set goals, work hard, and achieve her dreams. Now a Business Account Manager at Vancity and a certified Each One Teach One trainer, Nikki delights in helping small business owners meet their financial needs and become financially sustainable. She loves to cook, bake, and eat, her favourite food being her mother’s—specifically, an Iranian stew called Fesenjoon, which she could eat three times a day! Nikki thrives through adventure and learning new things. She remembers well the struggle of adjusting to a new country, new work, and new language. Nikki is pleased to be part of Dream Cuisines, as it is her passion to increase access to solid financial planning and smooth, efficient processes for other newcomer women entrepreneurs.
Andrea Gray-Grant (she/her)
Good to Grow | @goodtogrowproducts | @bclocalroot.ca
Andrea Gray-Grant is an educator, entrepreneur, coach, and local food enthusiast who has worked in the food and beverage industry for the past 28 years. With extensive experience in senior sales and marketing, Andrea is the founder of Tarragon Foods, and after Tarragon Foods closed, Good to Grow. Good to Grow provides teaching, coaching, and mentoring for emerging food and beverage businesses and signature events From The Ground Up Trade Show and Pitch & Plate. When the Covid pandemic threatened to negatively impact local food and beverage processors, Good to Grow started BCLocalRoot.ca, an online grocery delivery store selling solely B.C. made, produced and processed products. Andrea remembers braving snakes to pick blackberries with her mom when she was young, and how the jam was always worth it. She is pleased to bring her expertise to support this year’s Dream Cuisines cohort, especially in the important realm of packaging and labelling.