Flavours of Hope
Often, it's those who have the least to give who end up giving the most. This sentiment resonates deeply with Ayda Alnoofoori. Her journey from war-torn Syria to Canada, where she founded Yasmin Syrian Food, an Ottawa-based catering company, is a testament to resilience, compassion and the transformative power of giving back.
In 2012, Alnoofoori made the difficult decision to leave her home in Damascus, and relocate to Lebanon, where she had family. With her three daughters in tow — twins and her youngest daughter, Isis, who is eight years their junior — she fled the violence and uncertainty of her country.
“As a parent, I was scared for my girls. When the worst hit, the first thing I thought of was them. We left so they could go to school,” Alnoofoori says. “My oldest girls went to university, and Isis completed high school and received a scholarship that opened the door for us to move to Canada.”
Alnoofoori began volunteering at Glebe Community Centre in 2015, knowing she understood the struggles of other refugee women in her new community. With the support of organizations such as the Ottawa Centre for Refugee Action (OCRA) and help from her new friend, retired-public policy analyst, Karen Hill, Alnoofoori embarked on a journey to create something truly special — a catering business to showcase the flavours of her homeland and provide employment and empowerment for other refugee women in the community.
“When I realized so many other women were here [in Canada] with no family, no friends and never having had to look for work to support themselves, I realized we could help them," she says. "If you want to build a community, look to the women.”
Soon, Yasmin was born, taking its name from the Arabic word for jasmine, a white, aromatic flower that graces the gardens of cities and towns throughout Syria. From its very beginnings, Yasmin has been focused on the power of food to bring people together and foster understanding.
One of the signature dishes on the catering menu is Harak Osbao, also known as "Burnt Fingers,” a flavourful vegetarian dish from Syria, made with lentils, pasta and spices, topped with caramelized onions and crispy pita and garnished with cilantro. While the name may sound intimidating, the dish itself is anything but. The translation of "burning fingers" or "he burnt his fingers" refers to its irresistibility; it's so delicious that you can't resist grabbing it and risking burning your fingers.
For Alnoofoori and Hill, Yasmin has always been about more than just food — it's an opportunity to help build a better future for women in their community. Through employment opportunities and skills training, they hope to empower other refugee women to find their voice and build their network.
“There is a virtuous circle, where everyone helps everyone by bringing to the table what they have to give,” says Hill, reflecting on their shared journey. “This is what Ayda has done — she has created and continued the circle, creating opportunity for women to connect, share, learn from each other and give back to each other.”
As of February 2024, there are 10 women working alongside Alnoofoori in a rented kitchen at City View United Church in Nepean. Every Tuesday, they gather to plan and prep for the week ahead. Through cooking classes, community events and catering services, Yasmin has quickly become a hub for cultural exchange and celebration. Its clientele includes NGOs, universities, professional organizations and more.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Yasmin is the sense of joy and connection it fosters. In a world often plagued by division and disconnection, Yasmin seems to stand as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the profound power of food to unite people, bridge divides and forge meaningful connections across cultural boundaries.
Now in her late 70s, Hill has taken a step back from her administration duties at Yasmin, however she remains in close contact with her friend.
“My fondest memory was of the ladies singing in the kitchen,” Hill says. “They were cooking up a storm, belting out tunes in Arabic — the joy was palpable. They didn't know each other before that moment, and Ayda brought them together. They became friends. I remember hearing that song for the first time, but it happened many, many more times."
