Forget Uber Eats! Order This via Facebook
Josephine Louka Mesho runs a Facebook business making home-cooked Syrian dishes in the heart of Riverdale
photo courtesy of Josephine's Syrian Kitchen Facebook page
Let’s face it: you’re busy. By the time you’ve had your coffee in the morning, you’ve probably dealt with a crying toddler, answered three urgent emails from your boss and somehow managed to find and put on socks that actually match.
After the long day ahead of you, the last thing you want to think about is what to cook for dinner, and the last thing you want to eat is a soggy pizza, a wilted salad from that diner halfway across town or a melted McFlurry for dessert.
Luckily for you, Josephine Louka Mesho has come to the rescue.
photo courtesy of Josephine's Syrian Kitchen Facebook page
Along with tens of thousands of Syrian families who made the journey to Canada in 2016, Mesho, her husband, Msbah Mesho Olbeh, and their three children moved into a community co-op housing unit in Riverdale. Looking for a source of income, Mesho turned to social media instead of social assistance, cooking authentic Syrian food for local Torontonians.
“I like to show people something nice from our country – our culture and our food”, Mesho emphasizes. She is passionate about showing Canadians that Syria has more to offer than the conflict that it’s known for.
In January 2017, she started a business through a Facebook page called Josephine’s Syrian Kitchen. Mesho and her husband post the menu on Wednesday and accept orders throughout the week to be picked up the following Monday. All of the food is cooked the same day out of a commercial kitchen in their housing unit next to Withrow Park.
“We love this neighbourhood… They love to try the different foods!” Mesho beams about Riverdale.
Offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, Mesho’s menus include kebabs, fresh hummus, tabbouleh and various middle-eastern dishes. At $55, each meal feeds a family of four.
photo courtesy of Josephine's Syrian Kitchen Facebook page
Just as Mesho helps feed your family, your support helps Mesho feed hers. But at the end of the day, this business is more to Mesho than just a source of income; it’s a passion.
“I love to cook my food… I am always in the kitchen,” she smiles.
All of her food is made with the best ingredients in the same style that she prepares for her own family. With over 600 Facebook page loyal followers who continue to order her food, the quality of her fresh home-cooked dishes speaks for itself.
Mesho hopes to cater parties and events in the future, and is considering teaching cooking classes.
See what Riverdale is raving about and try Josephine’s Syrian Kitchen for yourself!
Josephine's Syrian Kitchen
100 Bain Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1E8 (Pick-Up Location)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401769173198158/
josephinesyriankitchen2017@gmail.com