DoorDash Canada, in partnership with Black Opportunity Fund, is awarding more than $300,000 to 30 Black-owned and Black-led restaurants across the country – bringing total grant investment through #BlackFoodEnergy to $950,000.
The latest cohort reflects DoorDash’s commitment to improving access to funding and resources for Black entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry. Each recipient will receive over $10,000 in funding, along with a one-year Restaurants Canada membership – providing access to industry-leading research and insights, advocacy on key policy issues, and a national network of operators and partners to help support long-term business growth.
“What makes so many Canadian communities special are their vibrant and diverse restaurants, yet access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers to success for many entrepreneurs,” said Delly Dyer, Integrated Marketing Lead at DoorDash Canada. “Through our #BlackFoodEnergy grants, we’re backing restaurant owners with the funding and support they need to grow, hire, and continue serving their communities.”
From neighbourhood staples in Toronto and Montréal to growing businesses in Charlottetown and Kamloops, this cohort represents a wide range of cuisines and cultures, including Ethiopian, Eritrean, Nigerian, Senegalese, and Caribbean. Many plan to use the funding to expand operations, invest in equipment, and create jobs in their communities.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with DoorDash to support Black-owned restaurants across Canada and celebrate the range of culture represented within the culinary industry,” said Craig Wellington, CEO of Black Opportunity Fund. “It’s exciting to see how these businesses will put their grants to work, building stronger businesses that are pillars in their communities.”
Recipients of #BlackFoodEnergy grants from this year are:
ONTARIO
Plato Royal — Toronto
Naija Jollof — Toronto, North York, Waterloo, Brampton, Mississauga
Coral Resto-Bar — Scarborough
Cee’s Kitchen — Etobicoke
African Chop Bar — North York
RP Restaurant and Bar — Woodbridge
Honey Soul Food — Toronto, Mississauga
King Rustic Kitchen and Bar — Toronto
Your Cyber Chef — Toronto
Yaya’s Kitchen — London
IJAT Restaurant — Ottawa
Ibex Habesha Restaurant — Ottawa
Pili Pili Charcoal Grill — Ottawa
Safari Grill — Ottawa
TriniCanJam — Hamilton
QUEBEC
Délices de Maman Dogui — Québec City
La Bokiterie — Québec City
Mama’s Chop — Gatineau, Ottawa
Lamp Fall Restaurant — Montréal
ALBERTA
Habesha Cravings — Edmonton
Franyz Kitchen Nigerian Cuisine — Calgary
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Afrofusion — Kamloops
Vansuya Restaurant and Lounge — Surrey
Tommie’s Jerk — Surrey
SASKATCHEWAN
3J’s Kitchen — Saskatoon
DeeBestie’s Nigerian Restaurant and Bar — Moose Jaw
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Toks Aroma — Charlottetown
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
G&M Cuisines — St. John’s
NEW BRUNSWICK
Chopshaven — Saint John
"We are incredibly honoured to receive a #BlackFoodEnergy grant from DoorDash,” says Gillian Salazar, Owner of TriniCanJam Cuisine in Hamilton, ON. “This support will help us continue sharing our unique fusion of Trinidadian, Jamaican, and a little Canadian cuisine with more people in our community. The flavours of the Caribbean are bold, vibrant, and full of life. We’re passionate about bringing those flavours to the table and encouraging people to explore something new."
“Habesha Cravings is a place where friends can come together over the incredible flavours of authentic food from Ethiopia and Eritrea,” says Nunu Deslange, Owner of Habesha’s Cravings in Edmonton, AB. “We are incredibly lucky that we were able to turn our passion into our life’s work. #BlackFoodEnergy is helping us to continue that dream."
Learn more about #BlackFoodEnergy and other Entrepreneurship and Access programs from DoorDash.
