{"id":9521,"date":"2024-02-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/menu\/gear-up-for-the-black-experience-pavilion-at-rc-show-2024\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T13:26:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T17:26:12","slug":"gear-up-for-the-black-experience-pavilion-at-rc-show-2024","status":"publish","type":"menu","link":"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/fr\/menu\/gear-up-for-the-black-experience-pavilion-at-rc-show-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Gear Up for The Black Experience Pavilion at RC Show 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By: Elle Asiedu &amp; Philman George<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Black Experience Pavilion is an RC Show first.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sponsored in part by Kraft Heinz, The Black Experience Pavilion is an innovative space where brands can learn how to strengthen their DEI programs and buyers can connect with a diverse array of offerings from Black-owned farms and food and beverage (F&amp;B) entrepreneurs. The Pavilion promises to be a vibrant and dynamic area where visitors can explore, taste and engage with a variety of products that reflect the depth and breadth of Black F&amp;B brands and meet the creative minds behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite being the second-largest industry in the country, Black Canadians are underrepresented across the board in F&amp;B, with many entrepreneurs pigeonholed into opportunities to create a few types of products and employees facing little to no career growth or relegated to back-of-house restaurant positions. This initiative is a step forward in recognizing and celebrating the rich culinary, beverage and foodservice contributions of the Black community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pioneering this effort is The Re-Seasoning Coalition (TRSC). Known for its commitment to growing the representation of Black Canadians across all levels of the food industry through research and innovative programming and Foodpreneur Lab, a visionary incubator dedicated to levelling the playing field for F&amp;B professionals in underserved communities, with their current project focused on Black food entrepreneurs creating consumer packaged goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pavilion will not only serve as a platform for Black-owned businesses, but also as an eye-opener for restaurants and foodservice distributors about the critical importance of including the perspectives and experiences of Black consumers, employees and brands in their strategic plans and long-term business strategy. TRSC co-founders and Pavilion developers Elle Asiedu and Philman George have emphasized the importance of this representation and believe there\u2019s an opportunity for every industry player to benefit from understanding and welcoming the Black experience. The jointly curated initiative underscores the understanding that Black-owned products bring unique flavours, stories and culinary traditions that can enrich and diversify the food industry. Their presence in mainstream markets is not just about inclusion and access; it\u2019s also about offering new, exciting and high-quality options<br>to consumers to enhance the overall foodservice experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MENU connected with TRSC co-founders Elle Asiedu and Chef Philman George to learn more about The Black Experience Pavilion and what they hope to see happen for their exhibitors at RC Show 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MM: Please share the vision behind The Black Experience pavilion.<\/strong><em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EA and PG:<\/strong> We want the pavilion to be a space within RC Show that captures both sides of the Black experience in foodservice: the realities of being Black in corporate food spaces and the challenges and achievements that come from being a Black entrepreneur in F&amp;B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you walk into the pavilion, you\u2019ll be able to peruse the featured products and creators as well as learn more about the power of the Black consumer and employee, and what that means for your business\u2019 bottom line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Canada has the most diverse Black population in the world outside of Africa, which presents a rich opportunity for all sectors and disciplines in foodservice, especially considering the growth projections for the Black community in Canada over the next 10 years. Innovative products are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits resulting from including such a multicultural group of people in one of the nation\u2019s strongest industries so if it hasn\u2019t already happened, at some point, brands, independents, and everyone in between will need to take concrete steps to prepare for the consumers of tomorrow. Our Pavilion is a great place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MM:<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><strong>What are you most excited about the experience you\u2019re curating in the pavilion?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EA:<\/strong> I\u2019m particularly excited about the one-day mass networking session that we\u2019ll be hosting on the second day of RC Show. Our research has shown that despite strong familiarity with the term systemic racism, less than 20 per cent of operators and corporate foodservice leaders have a program in place for attracting, retaining and promoting Black employees. Our aim is to start chipping away at this particular flavour of inequity by connecting Black talent with brand managers, recruiters and people leaders in foodservice ready to make good on their diversity, equity and inclusion promises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PG:<\/strong> There are so many things to look forward to: connecting operators and distributors with innovative Black-owned products and farmers, being the conduit to access more diversity in our supply chain, promoting TRSC\u2019s equity and anti-Black racism e-learning programs and taking up space and creating history at the<br>RC Show!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MM:<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><strong>What outcomes do you hope to see from this initiative?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EA and PG:<\/strong> Connections! Our Pavilion is an unprecedented opportunity that will only grow in size and impact, so for this first year our ROI is focused on the number of connections fostered between TRSC and brands looking to optimize their DEI programs, entrepreneurs and buyers, and job seekers and opportunities. We are working on having cross-provincial representation within the Pavilion as well but know that a strong presence from across the country will depend on the success of this year\u2019s effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also want to inspire the industry to think bigger about how to elevate and support equity-deserving groups. Handouts are helpful but a hand up leaves a lasting impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Foodpreneur Lab\u2019s Start and Scale paths are an essential component of its mission and consist of a diverse group of aspiring and established food entrepreneurs who are selected through a rigorous process to participate in a comprehensive program. This program includes mentorship, training and access to invaluable resources including industry connections and business and marketing strategy development workshops. These cohorts are tailored to address the unique challenges faced by diverse food entrepreneurs, offering personalized support and guidance. Through Foodpreneur Lab, participants gain not only the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the competitive food industry but also become part of a supportive community that encourages collaboration, innovation and mutual growth. The aim is to empower entrepreneurs to turn their culinary visions into sustainable and successful businesses, contributing significantly to the diversity and vitality of the food and beverage sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rotating exhibitor list featured in The Black Experience Pavilion is still being confirmed, but MENU is excited to share just a few of the Black-owned brands to experience at RC Show 2024 and watch grow across Canada and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:33% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Re-Seasoning-Logo-web-1024x227.jpg\" alt=\"Re-seasoning\" class=\"wp-image-11983 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ready to diversify your talent pool?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Email <a href=\"mailto:elle@thereseasoning.org\">elle@thereseasoning.org<\/a> to register for The Black Experience Pavilion networking session on April 9, 2024 at RC Show.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Black Experience Pavilion Preview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 30%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Check out these exciting Black-owned F&amp;B innovation brands from the Foodpreneur Lab alumni community:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodpreneurlab.com\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Foodpreneur-Lab-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12588 size-full\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:35% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/58-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12589 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A+ Smoodees<\/strong> | <strong>Anthony Pereria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Products: All natural, organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free smoodies (customizable), protein almond shakes, boosters, shots, snacks and pumpkin seed protein powder.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aplussmoodees.com\"><strong>www.aplussmoodees.com<\/strong><\/a> | <strong>IG: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/aplussmoodees\/\">@aplussmoodees<\/a><\/strong> | <strong>FB: Smoodees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>*Photo courtesy of Marilyn Ariosa of Artistic Intuition<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a clinical physiologist, Anthony Pereria views health from the perspective of restorative care. \u201cWhen people come to see me, I ask them questions about how they take care of their body from the inside out. I learned people were not going to see dieticians or nutritionists, so I basically started creating smoothies for people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI never had any intention of it being a business,\u201d says Pereria. \u201cWhat ended up happening was people would come back to be and say, \u2018Hey Anthony, I love my smoothie, but my husband keeps taking sips out of it.\u2019 Demand just kept on going up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually this led Pereria to create A+ Smoodees. \u201cIt evolved from a service into a business. I hired a team including dietitians, nutritionists and a microbiologist to help.\u201d The result? \u201cWe are an all-natural, vegan and gluten-free company. We take the best of what nature has to offer and deliciously present it, with a measure of awareness. That\u2019s what A+ stands for \u2013 awareness. We don\u2019t use sugars, chemicals or preservatives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Pereria, his dedication comes from the desire to give his ancestors a voice and to hear their wisdom. \u201cFood is joy. Food is love. The great thing is that when people see our products and they see ginger, turmeric alongside blueberries and green apples, it\u2019s something they can resonate with easily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFoodpreneur [Lab] reached out and said, we have a program, and we think you\u2019d be great for it,\u201d says Pereria. \u201cI was four or five years in, and I didn\u2019t start the business with an entrepreneurial resume. I did it as a practitioner. So, there were a lot of gaps for me. The great thing about Foodpreneur is they asked me where I wanted to start \u2013 marketing, product development, video development. There are so many courses they provide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe most important thing is they basically do it with a measure of altruism. They\u2019re doing it because they want to help. It has been such an absolute blessing to be able to do to this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:35% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/61-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12591 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>HealX Foods<\/strong> | <strong>Biola Oluwajuyigbe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Product: Cauliflower Fries<br>(offered in Garlic Herb and Smoked Spice)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.healxfoods.com\">www.healxfoods.com<\/a><\/strong> | <strong>IG: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/healxfoods\/\">@healxfoods<\/a><\/strong> | <strong>FB: healxfoods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">*<em>Photo courtesy of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/missisgoodlooking\/\">MissisGoodLooking<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Growing up in Nigeria, Biola Oluwajuyibge has always been an entrepreneur. After starting businesses in Nigeria, living in Qatar and in the Netherlands, Oluwajuyibge made her home in Canada in 2016. \u201cI\u2019ve always had my own businesses and being an entrepreneur is who I am. I have always had an interest in health, science and education so in school I earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in chemical engineering and a master\u2019s degree in food nutrition and health.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oluwajuyibge thought about food that\u2019s quick and easy but not just for a specific market. \u201cI thought about products people eat regularly \u2013 not just special food for special diets. Everyone likes fast food because it\u2019s tasty. How can I find a better replacement for a product everyone knows isn\u2019t really healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Putting her education and interests to work, Oluwajuyibge developed Cauliflower Fries. \u201cWe boil cauliflower to make it stable so people can get the nutritional value cauliflower provides since not everyone can tolerate it. Then we mix cauliflower with rice and spices. There\u2019s no gum. There\u2019s no stabilizer. Then, we form it into the shape of a traditional French fry, bake it and package it. We want to make sure people eat this cauliflower without knowing that they\u2019re actually eating cauliflower,\u201d says Oluwajuyibge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process is inspired by Oluwajuyibge\u2019s African roots. \u201cWe believe in authentic food. That\u2019s why the development process took so long. I wanted it to be a food that didn\u2019t need stabilizer. That\u2019s how we make food in Africa. That\u2019s how I saw my grandmother\u2019s meals \u2013 food my grandmother would transform into different meals and dishes and snacks. The effort might be intensive, but it was<br>pure food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the same satisfying crunch as potato French fries, Cauliflower Fries passed the most stringent tester, Oluwajuyibge\u2019s son. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t eat any vegetables. He doesn\u2019t even want to try. One day I made him Cauliflower Fries and I said casually, \u2018Oh here are some fries.\u2019 He finished everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oluwajuyibge continues, \u201cI see the trajectory of fast food intersecting with healthy food. That\u2019s why our name is Heal X. The X and the heal is pronounced helix \u2013 representing DNA. What we want to do is change the DNA of fast food from food that isn\u2019t healthy to healthy. I see Cauliflower Fries as a universal product.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through Foodpreneur [Lab], Oluwajuyibge has a community of people to help navigate the journey to bring her ambitions to life. \u201cFrom this program we have a small community where we keep talking to each other, encouraging everyone to just go for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:35% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/60-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12592 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nettie\u2019s Nah Joke Hot Pepper Sauce<\/strong> | <strong>Nettie Charles-Owen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Products: Small batch, artisan made hot<br>pepper sauce available in four flavours:<br>Original, Merry Cranberry, Mango Tango<br>and Calypso Craze<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/nahjoke.com\">nahjoke.com<\/a><\/strong> | <strong>IG: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nahjokepeppersauce\/\">@nahjokepeppersauce<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">*<em>Photo courtesy of Cecil at Natural Image Photography<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nettie Charles-Owen founded Nah Joke Hot Pepper Sauce after picking up hot pepper plants at a local nursery. \u201cI was so excited because I\u2019d never seen hot pepper plants in a nursery. But I had this bumper crop and I didn\u2019t know what to do with all the peppers, but I knew I couldn\u2019t let it go to waste.\u201d Using her mother\u2019s recipe, Charles-Owen started making hot sauce. \u201cI made my first batch of hot sauce as I remembered my mom doing it. I\u2019m not going to lie. The first batch was so hot, the friends and family I gave it to said, \u2018This is good, but really hot. Can you temper the heat a little bit?\u2019 Over the years, I\u2019ve found the right level of heat that allows you to enjoy the flavour of the food, not just sit there with your lips burning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her mother\u2019s hot sauce recipe hails from Dominica. \u201cWe have some French influences in how we cook, and the French are noted for their sauces, and they know how to extract flavour. This is what I believe gives me an edge. I know exactly how and when to add my ingredients to get the ultimate flavour.\u201d With Scotch bonnet peppers sourced from Jamaica, Charles-Owens\u2019 hot sauces are free of ingredients like xanthan gum and other additives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The company\u2019s tenth year of operation coincides with Charles-Owen\u2019s third year of retirement. \u201cI worked for 42 years for one of the large financial outfits,\u201d Charles-Owen remarks. \u201cBut I always loved cooking. I\u2019m happiest when I\u2019m in the kitchen. When I retired, the pandemic meant I couldn\u2019t travel, so I thought maybe I should take the sauce to market. That\u2019s how my journey started in the hot sauce industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Charles-Owen, Nah Joke Hot Pepper Sauce isn\u2019t just about making money. \u201cI\u2019m a retired banker, so the money has to make sense. I enjoy what I do but I\u2019m doing this for a few reasons. I want to build my mom\u2019s legacy. I want to help build generational wealth for some of the younger ones in my family. It is my intention to bring those who are interested into the business at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:35% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/62-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12593 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Siika Foods<\/strong> | <strong>Sarah Sekalala<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Products: African-inspired cooking sauces<br>available in four flavours.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/siikafoods.com\">siikafoods.com<\/a><\/strong> | <strong>IG: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/siika_foods\/\">@siika_foods<\/a> | FB: siikasauceplusspices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>*Photo courtesy of Veronica Kucherov<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sarah Sekalala was born and raised in Uganda and founded Siika Foods on a love of cooking and a determination to simplify the cooking process. She recalls, \u201cI have memories of seeing women from my community, my family members, my aunties, my grandmothers \u2013 everyone staying in the kitchen for hours. Our sauces simplify the whole process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leaving Uganda together with her husband and two sons, the family made their home in Canada in 2001. \u201cBefore I left Uganda, I had three goals. The first was to have a better life and provide opportunities for my children. The second was to earn a degree and the third was to build an empire.\u201d After having two more children, Sekalala soon realized how different life was in Uganda. \u201cBack home we had a lot of help. After coming home with my third baby with just myself and my husband, we had no one coming over. We were both students at the time as well, working with a young family. We knew we had to find a way to make things easier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shopping at local grocery stores, Sekalala was never able find what she was looking for. \u201cComing to Canada I could not even find a simple, easy sauce \u2018helper\u2019\u201d Siika Foods produces handmade African simmer sauces and marinades. \u201cUgandan cooking has been influenced by the many people coming into the country,\u201d says Sekalala. \u201cWe have British and South Asian flavours in our cooking. The whole idea is you can use our sauces in any dish. Our sauce is really thick because it\u2019s full of vegetables. You can see the texture of our sauces and as a result it has more pronounced flavours. I think that\u2019s our unique selling proposition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sekalala sees Siika Foods as a company to help bring new flavours to the market. \u201cComing from a country which has so many tribes, it\u2019s difficult to say, \u2018This is African and this is Ugandan.\u2019 Our idea is to help bring people\u2019s voices through food to Canada. For me, building an empire is trying to include as many people as possible to learn, change and prosper. Because when my neighbour is good, I\u2019m also good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:35% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/59-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12594 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Eight50 Coffee<\/strong> | <strong>Muna Mohammed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Product: Certified organic and fair-trade coffee as well as responsibly sourced micro lot coffee products.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/eight50coffee.com\">eight50coffee.com<\/a><\/strong> | <strong>IG: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/eight50coffee\/\">@eight50coffee<\/a><\/strong> | <strong>FB: Eight50Coffee<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">*Photo courtesy of Emma Haidar at Photography by Emma<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of The 10 Best Global Coffee Brands to Order Online, Eight50 Coffee is another of Foodpreneur Labs\u2019 success stories. \u201cEight50 is a purpose-driven coffee that I started, to continue my own family legacy in coffee. My grandfather was a proud coffee farmer,\u201d says founder Muna Mohamed. \u201cIt is also the year coffee was discovered in Ethiopia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last summer, Eight50 coffee signed a distribution deal with Sobeys and now three of their signature coffees are available in select stores across Ontario. In November 2023, the Coffee Association of Canada awarded Eight50 Coffee the Innovative Achievement of the Year award for their Cascara Hashara beverage. Made from dried husks of coffee cherries, the award recognizes the use of the upcycled coffee cherry in a sparkling ready-to-drink beverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eight50 coffee sources coffee from many different countries. \u201cEach country has their own flavour notes,\u201d says Mohammed. \u201cEthiopian coffees and African coffees have a fruit-forward flavour profile. South and Central American coffee has deeper, chocolately notes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s the beauty of coffee in general, it\u2019s a journey of discovery.\u201d<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":9528,"template":"","menu_author":[471],"menu-category":[472],"menu-tag":[498,497,473],"class_list":["post-9521","menu","type-menu","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","menu_author-menu-magazine","menu-category-events","menu-tag-deia","menu-tag-human-resources","menu-tag-rc-show"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Gear Up for The Black Experience Pavilion at RC Show 2024 - Restaurants Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/menu\/gear-up-for-the-black-experience-pavilion-at-rc-show-2024\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gear Up for The Black Experience Pavilion at RC Show 2024 - Restaurants Canada\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By: Elle Asiedu &amp; Philman George The Black Experience Pavilion is an RC Show first. 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