A number of independent Centretown food operations are applauding the launch of a local, nighttime food market, welcoming the opportunity to grow their businesses and expand their foodie fanbases.
Market organizer Roy Abourgeili says the Ottawa Underground Chef’s Market, to be held on Nov. 30 at the Ottawa Convention Centre, is all about introducing the city’s hidden culinary talent to the community.
The cash-only event will feature 20 local food-cart vendors, home cooks and specialty food businesses from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, different food styles and food preference groups such as vegan and vegetarian cooks. As there will be alchohol served, the event is 19 plus.
“We saw the culinary talent in Ottawa, but a lot of franchisees opening, too. It’s hard for independents to stay afloat,” says Abourgeili. “We thought we’d give those independents a place where they can market their stuff and expose themselves and let the people know about their food.”
Ulises Ortega will be attending as a vendor with his “Mr. Churritos” food cart, which sits at the corner of Sparks and O’Connor streets.
Ortega, has been making and selling Spanish donuts privately for the past two years, but has only recently begun serving in the street and is still establishing his brand. He says the market is a great idea for small businesses like his.
“The more exposure we have, the more people will know about the product,” he says. “And since we are fairly new, I want to educate people about where I am and what I’m selling.” Ortega hopes the market will allow him to meet new customers and introduce them to his desserts, which is harder to do during the cold months when people are less likely to see him on the street.
Another market vendor is Tarek Hassan, owner of the “Gong Fu Bao” cart, usually parked around Elgin and Slater streets. Hassan agrees with Ortega that the market is an encouraging sign for smaller food businesses in Ottawa.
He says he knows of food-cart vendors in Toronto who got their starts in similar underground markets, and successfully developed their businesses into food trucks and even restaurants.
“It all starts with an innovative approach to a business, where you start small by doing events to establish your menu, your food identity and your brand,” he says. “You grow from there.”
Hassan is impressed at the way the city has taken to trying new styles of food. Ottawa’s food scene was recently refreshed by 18 new food carts and trucks which began serving a variety of new food styles through the summer.
“You can give Ottawans more credit than they seem to be given in general, in terms of willingness to try different cuisines,” he says. “After being bogged down with chips and street meat for decades, people are actually really keen to try something different.”
Jil Aranas, second cook at the House of Commons Restaurant, is also preparing to introduce her Filipino cuisine at the market. She says the best thing about markets like this one are the new food and traditions that the community is introduced to.
“You get to experience other cultures and you get to understand the food and their cuisine,” she says. “Especially in a place like Ottawa, where there’s not a lot a variety, I think these type of events really boost the local culinary industry.”
Aranas has been to similar markets in Vancouver and says the cultural benefits of food markets are wonderful.
“I really love the variety of food that you get when you go to those types of markets, the different cultures that you get to explore that you don’t normally get to explore everyday,” she says. “I’m really excited about it.”
Brad Henderson of 327 Wine Bar will also trading at the market, and he agrees that anything that adds to the cultural side of Ottawa is a good for small businesses in the long run.
“New cultural events in Ottawa are a fantastic thing,” he says. “It’s great to have institutional events like the Food and Wine Show, but Ottawa is in desperate need of new events to showcase new restaurants and new food providers. The more of these events that we get going on, the more opportunity there is for local Ottawa restaurants and for those ideas to get out there and for people to know that these things exist.”