Scratch

In many South Asian languages, Nani means grandmother and for Parry Sohi, she’s the heart behind every scoop. What began as a cupcake truck has grown into Nani’s Gelato, a small-batch brand that handcrafts every scoop in-house and blends Asian, Indian, and Italian flavours into something completely its own. Inspired by the way his mother and grandmother cooked - fresh ingredients, daily care, and...

For Leighton Walters, coffee isn’t just a drink. It’s where he found belonging. Growing up in Australia, cafés were a second home, a place where he discovered community, connection, and purpose. But his story hasn’t been without struggle. After enduring more than 66 hospital visits growing up, that resilience shaped the way he sees the world and fuels his drive to create spaces where comfort and c...

Craig Pike never set out to build a cookie empire - he just wanted to bake. With a background in acting and a tiny oven that could barely hold a tray, he started out selling cookies in paper bags and delivering them by bike around Toronto. One delivery to the Danforth even landed him on the cover of a magazine. But behind the sweet success were long nights, 3 a.m. baking sessions, eight-minute nap...

Victor Barry’s food story starts in a pizzeria, helping out his uncle and learning the ropes the scrappy way. From there, he cooked across the world, ran Toronto’s legendary Splendido, and then set out to build something of his own: Piano Piano. With its bold flavours, playful vibe, and personal touches - from floral walls to his daughter’s artwork - Piano Piano is as much about family and fun as...

Don’t be fooled by the name of the café because Dawn Chapman’s scratch story is far from lazy. Between starting a bagel chain in the UK to making documentaries, we chat with Dawn about how she turned her childhood memories on her grandparent’s farm into a beloved space for the east end community of Toronto. Plus, we ask her to share her favourite dish on the menu and spoiler alert – it’s not the a...

Maha’s story begins with a passionate, hardworking mother whose cooking was so good, even the family dogs ate better than most people. After immigrating to Canada, she couldn’t find food that felt like home - so with encouragement from her kids, she turned her natural talent into a restaurant unlike any other. In this heartfelt conversation, we talk about the joy and chaos of running a family busi...

Sugo owner Conor Joerin didn’t come up through culinary school or a polished fine-dining kitchen - he got his start working in a boxing arena. With no formal education, he relied on hustle, instinct, and a quick learner’s drive to carve out his place in the restaurant world. Today, his restaurant stands as a reflection of the community he grew up in and the childhood experiences that shaped him. I...

Imagine a world with no… brunch? Well Donna Dooher, creator of Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, lived in one while navigating the challenges of being a woman in the culinary world. In this episode, she shares her experiences of breaking barriers, shaping the culture of brunch and hitting life’s curveballs of finance, parenthood and loss. And yet through it all, Donna shares moments of her career that are...