Catering Tag

It’s a taste of Italy in Strathcona, and Italians agree. 

Focacciaza on East Cordova and Raymur. You cannot miss the red awning and bicycle-cart set up, out of which Joe dispenses what is the best focaccia I’ve ever tasted. This is confirmed by a neighbouring business owner who walks by during our conversation and raves about how amazing Joe’s food is. Did I mention that this neighbour is Italian? That’s all the validation he needs. Focacciaza Joe (as everyone calls him) is passionate, dedicated and easy going. Leading the sustainable food-business movement, he forages for wild mushrooms and grows his own herbs, all of which go on the focaccia he sells from a zero-emission cart. Our conversation is a peek into his heart for small businesses and the Strathcona community. 

What’s the story behind Focacciaza?

So before I became a cook, I was backpacking through Italy with a friend, and a travel agent advised us on where tourists don’t go. They sent us to La Spezia which is in Genoa, where the most famous focaccia variety comes from. It’s a thick, soft, fluffy type. We went into this small village and couldn’t find anywhere to stay, so we slept in a field. The next morning, we were really hungry and we walked by a little focacceria and we could smell the food. So we got them to sell us a fresh piece of focaccia for like two euros and it was the most amazing focaccia. So that’s what mine is modelled after. I have this memory of that focaccia and I designed my recipe by myself, so it’s not a recipe that I got anywhere. Instead it’s made to suit my timing, my baking and my surroundings, but the goal is basically to have that texture and flavour. Italians from that area that try my focaccia always validate it. They always say “It’s just like home”.

What’s the best part of running a business in Strathcona? Any high points?

Absolutely! I get to make unique food with ingredients that I grow and forage in the wild, which is rewarding in itself. I have a community garden plot in the Strathcona Cottonwood Garden and those herbs go into my focaccia. People love all those things. Everybody in the community likes me. Every car that drives by waves. There are many upsides to running your own business. There are many challenges but it’s rewarding work, right? I do feel like I’m a part of the community. That’s why Strathcona is really good. It has a very community vibe. There are a lot of artists that live here that have a little bit of time to go seek local things. Also the zoning, and the fact that Downtown and Commercial Drive are a quick drive away are some of the upsides.

What is the most pressing issue you face being in this area?

I’d say, visibility. This building used to open up on Powell street and was quite visible to the public, but more and more it’s being blocked off. Now with the overpass, you can’t even see us. This Fall, Transport Canada is going to close off a section of Raymur street here because of rail safety. So there will be no vehicle or foot traffic and that closes me off even more. Even if you want to buy something from me, it becomes harder and harder. A while ago, I had an interview on CBC radio, and it did drive business and brought some people from different places, but every one of them said Focacciaza was almost impossible to find because they couldn’t turn off of Clark, Hastings or Powell street to get here, and when they finally got onto Cordova, they were stuck behind the train. 

What are your thoughts on the zoning policies in this neighbourhood?

The zoning is really good. It’s mixed zoning in this area. This building is old-fashioned, an old vinegar factory that’s now been zoned for mixed-usage and it’s perfect. You can do a lot of different things here and that’s very beneficial not just to someone looking for a home for their business. There’s also a diverse range of small businesses around me and they’re willing to support food makers like me. Really if I could live here, I would. 

What’s your vision for the future of Focacciaza?

I have a lot of dreams for my business, like teaching people, setting up workshops, and hosting events. I also play in a band so I can make the music for these settings. I try to be a part of the cultural community, which could always use help in Vancouver and the zoning here might allow for that kind of mixed-use space to happen one day. I see Focacciaza being a really cool community place where people can not only purchase local things, but enjoy local culture and music, all in one place. 

What are some of the challenges you face running a street-food business? 

I’m a street food vendor and I find it impossible to sell on the streets of Vancouver. I’m not allowed to be downtown or on the beach. I’m not allowed to be in any Vancouver park. I can’t be on the entire seawall or Trout Lake. Just imagine anywhere that you could see this bike. It has to do with my licence and the City of Vancouver, and this is why I just stay here. So it basically treats me like a food truck and that’s that. I need to figure out how people can get my product, but approaching a grocery store would mean packaging, labelling, and barcode scanning. And it’s hard for these small businesses because you need a designer. These things are not cheap. At the end of the day I am surviving as a business on this corner and making all kinds of things besides the focaccia like sandwiches, soups, biscotti, and popsicles during the summer. Catering gigs really help me out because there’s only so many people that live and work around here. Once it’s 5pm, there’s not a soul walking down the streets. One solution for me would be to find an investor and move into a brick-and-mortar or completely change to catering but that needs investment as well. 

Finally, what kind of support would you want to see from the SBIA?

It would be some kind of program helping businesses with their marketing, which is what you’re doing right now. Because small businesses exist but can’t be found. People are bombarded by so much marketing these days that it’s really hard for any small business to put those dollars into noticeable marketing. The BIA could also host local Strathcona festivals with all the small businesses and market it. That’s how local people get to know their local businesses a little better. Overall, any opportunities to actually sell my product would be great. 

Visit Joe at 1007 E Cordova street Tuesday to Friday from 11-5pm.

Follow his Instagram to see what’s on the menu and check out the website to book Focacciaza for your next event.

The Easter long weekend is coming up soon and in our community, it’s a special time for delicious offerings from makers and caterers alike.

Traditional Easter treats like hot crossed buns or chocolate eggs are a few of the specialties available from some of our members or you can opt for a full catered brunch or dinner in your own home.

Follow along for 3 Strathcona Businesses Offering Easter Eats and Treats below.

Plant-based chocolate never looked and tasted so good. Living Lotus Chocolate is taking traditional Easter goodies, like cream eggs and chocolate chick pops,  and making them dairy-free. You’d never notice the difference, and trust us when we say you’ll want to jump on Living Lotus’s Easter Collection early – they always sell out in advance.

Visit their website for a list of retailers or to place an order for delivery.

Enjoy Easter dinner from the comfort of your home via Railtown Caters. Their heat-and-serve family feast includes Honey-Glazed Ham alongside an array of sides and classic plates, including our Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère Cheese, and some of the fluffiest Hot Cross Buns in town. Railtown will also donate partial proceeds from the sale of each Easter To-Go package to Mission Possible, a non-profit organization that provides street-level care for those with immediate and critical needs in the Downtown Eastside.

Visit their website for menu and order details. 

Savoury Chef is offering a stacked feast consisting of house-made milk buns, herb roasted potatoes and your choice of lamb or pork roast. They don’t slack on dessert either offering brown sugar pie, apple pie and hot crossed buns. You can also get your appetizer on with a selection of charcuterie boards or antipasto options.

Find their full menu and delivery options on their website here.

If you have an Easter offering and would like to be included on this list please email info@strathconabia.com to submit your details. 

Yardie Grabz is Strathcona’s newest ghost kitchen making up delicious homestyle Jamaican food.

Their name combines “Yardie”, meaning Jamaican diaspora, and “Grabz” for their grab-and-go style foods. Yardie Grabz is located in a commissary kitchen in the heart of Strathcona offering authentic and homecooked dishes – like patties, oxtail, and jerk chicken – for curbside pickup, delivery, and catering.

We spoke to Dimitri, the founder and head-chef of Yardie Grabz, about his unique offerings for the city and the impact he makes as a Black business owner in Strathcona.

Read our interview below and place your Yardi Grabz orders at yardiegrabz.ca

We make classic Jamaican grab & go street food with a homestyle approach. From Jamaican Patties, Jerk Chicken to Oxtail, everything is handcrafted and made from scratch. We ensure we use only fresh quality local ingredients, halal and/or organic meats for every product, as we treat our customers and clients as if ourselves or our families are eating our food.

Ever since I was a kid I’ve been a foodie and loved pastries, baked goods and anything sweet and savoury. My passion for cooking started when I was younger and I worked part-time jobs in the food industry when I was in high school and university. Throughout that time I worked my way up in positions and met a lot of cooks and chefs on the way that have influenced my style in cooking.

Yardie Grabz came to be from a craving for Jamaican Patties that I had during the COVID-19 lockdown. I wanted a patty so badly, but could not find any in Vancouver that truly represented the taste that I knew growing up. I came up with a recipe and tried cooking it for myself. I made them and posted them on social media, and from that moment family, friends and strangers started to message me if I could make patties for them. From then it’s only gone forward.

We’re based at 266 Raymur Avenue. It’s a cool neighbourhood because it is very industrial. The building we work directly in has multiple businesses around us, of different kinds. So it’s great to be working around creative and hard-working individuals in the community. It definitely adds to the fuel of the hustle.

I believe we impact the community in a positive and tasty way! We’re a go-to spot for locals in the East Van area and as well as Caribbean/African residents of Vancouver. As they too, had challenges to find authentic food that represents their culture and what they regularly eat.

We’re one of the very few Black-owned businesses in Strathcona, and one of the only few Jamaican food production companies in Vancouver – and the Lower Mainland at that. So It’s a blessing to merge my two cultural identities of Canada and Jamaica through food service while putting smiles on people’s faces.

How can we get our hands on some of your food?

You can find our products on our website www.yardiegrabz.ca

We provide wholesale service, catering and takeout and delivery on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays.

Our Jamaican Patties can also be found at our great vendors at New Amsterdam Cafe, Tony’s Coffee and Rise Up Marketplace (another great business in Strathcona.) We plan to provide our Jamaican Patties throughout more stores in Strathcona and throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, so be on the lookout for that. Any newly info can always be found our Instagram/Website @yardiegrabz or yardiegrabz.ca 

Visit our blog for more on our Maker of the Month series.

Hello, summer!

What better time to take advantage of our beautiful Vancouver weather than to plan a tour through some of Strathcona’s historic and colourful neighborhoods. 

For moments when friends or family visit from out of town or you’re craving to do something a little different without going too far, we have a list of some self-guided and guided tours for you to choose from. Find a few of our favorites below!

Curated Tastes – Gallery Tour

Curated Tastes is Vancouver’s first and only art mediation company that creates fun and engaging tours for anyone looking for something different to do in Vancouver. No previous art knowledge or experience is necessary! 

• Discover 2 art galleries in Strathcona
• Learn about contemporary art
• Learn how to appreciate and talk about art
• Meet curators, artists and gallerists 
• Discover a new face of Strathcona 
• Make new friendships over a sample beer or wine (depending on route) at one of Strathcona’s iconic breweries. 

• Price per person: $ 33 (early bird) / $36 (regular)
• Saturdays 12pm-2pm 
• Social distancing and masks in indoor spaces are recommended
• Groups will be limited to 12 attendees + 1 tour guide

Powell Street Walking Tour

Uncover the hidden history of Vancouver’s pre-war Japanese-Canadian community. 

It is not common knowledge that prior to the Incarceration, Displacement and Dispossession of 1942, the Powell Street corridor was once the home to 8000 Japanese Canadians and over 400 Japanese-owned businesses. Today, there is an abundance of remaining history and architecture that tells the story of a community that thrived in this unique area of Vancouver!

• $10 for the general public | Free under 18 
• Masks and socially distant spacing will be required.
• Groups will be limited to 8 attendees + 1-2 tour guide(s)

Tours can be offered in Japanese. 

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/historic-powell-street-walking-tours-vancouver-bc-tickets-152774682187

Strathcona Mural Tour 

If you’re looking to plan or head out on a spontaneous self-guided mural tour Strathcona is the perfect start. The Strathcona neighbourhood is filled with the city’s second-highest concentration of murals within walking distance of each other, with a few delicious stops on the way. Head East on Cordova St. towards Campbell Ave. to catch some great street art then loop around to Hastings to stop for a cold drink or bite at Strathcona’s favourite The Heatley. 

There are also some special guided tours happening this year as part of the Black Strathcona Resurgence Project (BSRP). The Black Strathcona Tour runs 10am Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every week from Aug.4-22. Discover the BSRP Year 1 murals and the cultural history of the Hogan’s Alley neighbourhood led by Vancouver DeTours guide Alasdair Butcher, BSRP Curator Krystal Paraboo, and a special guest expert from the Black community. Tours are by donation.

Sunday August 22, the BSRP Bike Tour is happening. Jump on your wheels and experience the magic of murals produced by Black artists across the city on a special bike route. There will be multiple group riding slots throughout the day and an opportunity to learn about the history of the Strathcona neighbourhood.

Download the Vancouver Mural Fest app or visit their website for a full map of murals throughout Strathcona and the remainder of the city. 

Brewery Tour

Are you really experiencing Strathcona if you haven’t taken in one of our many breweries? We have you covered. Get your squad together and take a tour to a few (or all) of our fabulous breweries – there are a total of five to choose from! 

To plan your own self-guided tour through Strathcona’s breweries visit our website for a full list of locations 

For a guided tour through Strathcona Brewing and Luppolo Brewery and a few other East Vancouver breweries visit Canadian Craft Tours. 

We can’t wait for celebrations again.

It’s been a challenging year for Vancouver and the rest of the world. One that has kept us distanced from almost everyone we know and missing the times when we could get together, eat, laugh and celebrate with our family and friends. 

A year of doing our part to flatten the Covid-19 curve has left nearly every planned event resulting in cancellation. Weddings and birthdays were reduced to small bubbles or postponed all together, baby showers and other accomplishments were and still are being celebrated virtually. As vaccines roll out and we hope to slowly get back to our normal lives we’re keeping our spirits up for an end to restrictions on gathering with loved ones. 

Strathcona is home to a number of companies that work to help special events of all sizes look and feel their best. Whether you’re planning a small celebration with your close circle or a big, fat, post-Covid bash these four businesses can help bring the “wow” to your upcoming festivities. 

Check out our list below to learn more about these local Strathcona businesses.  

Please remain aware of B.C’s current restart plan and restrictions before attempting to plan an event or celebration outside of your bubble. All businesses mentioned are currently operating while following B.C’s mandated health and safety measures. 

Four Strathcona Businesses to Hire for your Next Small Event.

Meyer’s Floral Company

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about taking any celebration decor to the next level is flowers. And as most of us can agree that the foundation of every special event is the decor.  

Meyer’s Floral Company has been distributing wholesale flowers to Vancouver and the lower mainland for over 30 years. Located in Strathcona at 1209 Adanac Street in Strathcona, Meyer’s creates some of the most beautiful bouquets we’ve seen on this side of the viaduct. Consider this Strathcona small business when planning the flowers for your next wedding, celebration or other event. 

The Garden Strathcona

A hidden gem in the heart of Strathcona, The Garden is a cozy and lush space to host your next local small event. 

A 1200sft space with large, bright windows that can be rented with amenities such as sound system, banquet tables, chairs, catering and more. The studio can also be rented alongside the accompanying downstairs cafe for small weddings, events, film shoots and more. A unique space to rent for your next event or just to grab a coffee and take in the vibes.

Cocktails & Canapes

The star of the show at any event is almost always the food, so impress your guests with some of the yummiest catering Strathcona has to offer. From canapes, to food stations, to fine-plated dinners, Cocktails & Canapes specializes in creating a culinary experience with their world-class cuisine that’s sure to elevate your next celebration. To extend their business offerings during COVID they now also feature a delivery brunch box for special occasions like Mother’s Day.

Debut Event Design

Take your event dreams and bring them to reality. 

Debut Event Design is a Strathcona-based business and a must-have for the design of your next celebration – big or small. If you’re planning a wedding then you’re in luck, Debut Event Design insists on creating a unique and memorable design that you’ll never forget. If you’re just looking for help with rentals such as furniture, backdrops, and more they do that too. There is no limit to the event goals you can reach with this Vancouver company.