Karam Kitchen photos provided by FEED the Social
Food has a unique power to bring people together—it’s a well-known fact. So what better way to welcome newcomers to a community than over a good meal?
Dinner is just what Brittani Farrington’s Hamilton church had in mind to welcome Syrian refugee families that had travelled the arduous journey from Syria to Jordan to Toronto to Hamilton—except a few of the Syrian women generously insisted that they be the ones to cook for their new neighbours. And their cooking ended up being the perfect way to introduce themselves; after all, the expression of food can circumvent any language barrier.
It was also this generosity and passion for cooking that would plant the seed for a soon-to-be blossoming all-women catering business, as a clear opportunity began to reveal itself at the welcome dinner when the Syrian home-cooked meals were a huge hit.
With the help of a translator, three of the chefs–Rawa’a, Dalal, and Manahel–asked Farrington, “how do we sell our food in Canada?”
After some research, Farrington connected with Kim Krait, a caterer, who started working with the new chefs to design menus and set up a business model that would grow into Karam Kitchen: a catering company that empowers Syrian newcomers to build a new life in Hamilton while contributing to their new community.
And the idea clearly resonated with many others, too. Farrington, now Administrative Director of Karam Kitchen, launched a Kickstarter campaign to help raise startup capital, and the campaign brought in over $17,000 from the public in just 30 days.
It is rather fitting that Karam Kitchen—karam meaning generous in Arabic-—came to fruition through such benevolent public support. It seems generosity is a two-way street, running in and out of the kitchen.
“I’m still blown away by the success of our Kickstarter campaign,” Farrington tells us. “I think in some ways it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Hamilton has been incredibly welcoming of newcomers and I think there was some general concern for how our new neighbours were going to find employment. This was a tangible way that folks could support newcomer employment while also getting to eat some of their delicious food!”
Manahel Al Shareef, one of the founding chefs, says that the whole process has given her the self-esteem and confidence to live anywhere. A powerful sentiment, considering what her and her family have been through.
These inspiring mothers escaped terror with their families to seek refuge and opportunity in Canada, and they found it through food, hard work, and the support of a welcoming community—a community they have already given plenty back to.
“Our chefs are the most generous women you’ll ever meet,” Farrington shares. “When I first met them, they had just arrived in Hamilton and had basically empty homes. They still welcomed me into their homes, cooked up a feast, and sent me home with leftovers.” She then adds, “anyone who orders will experience their generosity, both in their spirits and in the portion sizes.”
Also part of the all-women team, Operations Director Sarah Snider oversees kitchen logistics and works on professional development and training with the chefs. 
Rawa’a, another one of the founding chefs, is currently taking some time off to welcome a new baby, and Wafa’a has recently been hired as the newest chef.
The generous Kitchen is now busy filling large orders and hosting sold out pop-up lunches, with several dishes already reaching signature status. Their moutabel dip–a savory smoky eggplant spread–is a favourite, as well as the Shish Tawook, a classic grilled chicken skewer. Their Kibbeh also receives a lot of love, a delectable bulgur-crust the chefs fill with either seasoned ground beef, or fried potatoes and pine nuts.
Many of the ingredients are sourced from Medina Fine Foods, a nearby Arabic grocer, with fresh produce sourced from Fiddes Wholesale Produce, also in Hamilton.
The support Karam has received from the City is not something they take for granted, which is perhaps why they’ve been so keen on getting involved with the community.
This past October, Karam Kitchen partnered with the Hamilton Farmers’ Market and the chefs demonstrated how to make their prized cheese pita bread. They’ve also participated in events with the McQuesten Urban Farm, hosted a workshop for kids, and have catered multiple events for the City of Hamilton.
Of course, such an enriching project has been transformative for the chefs as well. With the help of a translator, Dalal Al Zoubi shares with us:
“I’ve gained a lot through working in the Karam Kitchen. I gained knowledge to good people like Brittani, Kim, and Sarah. I gained so much [learning about] Canadian society and I knew a lot of people so fast. Also, I started to know which kind of food and taste people like. My English improved a lot through talking to Canadian people. Also, I gained more self-confidence that I can give of myself by making an effective element in society that values work and the value of workers. Finally, I hope that I have earned the love of the people who know me. For me, that is real achievement.”
It’s evident that these spirited women have not only gained a lot through this process, but also from each other. Farrington adds:
“I, personally, have learned so much from working with these women. The resilience they have shown on their journeys to Canada and while settling here now has been inspiring. The craft and care they put into their food, whether for the business or at home with their families, is so intricate and love-filled. They once told me that the reason that their food is so wonderful is that they bless it all to God. I thought that was so lovely. I feel so honoured to work beside these women every day!”
Though the women are eager to express this palpable gratitude, the Hamilton community has indeed inherited plenty from their talents and generosity, too.
The next big step for Karam Kitchen is to settle into a permanent location, as their success has them outgrowing the shared commercial kitchen they are currently in. When they solidify a full-time location, the hope is to host more pop-up lunches so individuals can order and enjoy the meals as well. They also hope to purchase a delivery vehicle in the near future too.
Dalal Al Zoubi and Manahel Al Shareef demonstrating how to make pita at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, photo provided by FEED the Social
Through other similar projects in the Golden Horseshoe, such as Newcomer Kitchen in Toronto, Canadians are experiencing new cultures and meeting new people in one of the best ways possible—through food. And in the process, the partnerships are creating valuable businesses that support, strengthen and nourish communities.
There’s no doubt, collaboration around good food is a catalyst for many great things.