Simona is a baker whose culinary passion is reflected in the quality and artistry of her work. She aims to connect with people through her food, and finds joy in providing meaningful, unforgettable experiences for her customers. Simona arrived in Canada in 2018 as a new immigrant, and her work is influenced by both her Romanian and Canadian experiences. She is largely inspired by Canada’s cultural diversity and often integrates this diversity into her food by creating authentic recipes with a sense of fusion.
Simona first visited Calgary in the spring of 2018 to visit her sister. One of her major goals was to improve her English, since back in Romania, Simona was preparing for a job interview held in English. Her sister suggested the ESL courses offered through the Calgary Public Library and the local church. The library became a memorable resource to Simona not only because it connected her to amazing English teachers, but to her future husband! She is thankful for his daily support in welcoming her to Canada. Simona immigrated to Canada as a mother of 2 children, and carried the responsibility of raising them in a new country. And so, immediately after she received her work permit, she secured a job. In Romania, Simona had extensive experience in the financial sector as an insurance branch manager. In Canada, she tried her hand once again in insurance, but her gut instinct was to pursue another path. Throughout her 3 years in Canada, Simona always created pastries and often catered for events at the request of family and friends. Initially, Simona only considered baking as a passionate hobby or unattainable dream. But she constantly received strong suggestions from friends and even strangers, to turn her successful dishes into an established business. This was the beginning of Simona’s journey as an entrepreneur and the realization of her dream into reality. Her journey started in Romania, where Simona was always passionate about food. Her earliest memories were set in the kitchen; as far as she can remember, she has been making food for her family all her life. Her years in Romania largely impacts her culinary experience. Arriving in Calgary, Simona clearly remembered the stark difference between Romania and Canada. Responding to her homesickness, her family members advised her that in time, she would eventually accept, and possibly embrace these things; eventually she would see Canada as her home. Initially, Simona relied heavily on her culinary passion to provide a sense of home. Her food helped Simona integrate into the community. Pursuing her baking interests enabled Simona to face Calgary and better understand it; she navigated Calgary’s supermarkets in search of prime ingredients, she familiarized herself with local cafes and restaurants to learn diverse culinary techniques, and expanded her network by inviting new people for breakfasts and dinners. In a way, food helped provide Simona with a more accessible Calgary - before she realized it, Calgary had become Simona’s new place of home. Interviewed. by Faith Lynch, Louise Barraza, Adam Majer, Rhea Jenkins
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Making Brekfast for Friends and Family
Creating Moments
Image Credits: Andrea Todt and Simona Chapin-Lainer
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