As an Arab-Iranian woman, I was trained in the art of tea; from picking the best tea for an occasion to steeping it to the perfect colour, and of course, to creating the atmosphere for our guests as well. Tea was not just a drink, but a ceremony too.

Learning to host from the matriarchs in my life, the task required more than just preparation, but whole lot of love. The house would smell like spices and warm butter from the early hours, so the only savior was to either help to get a taste or snack away until it was time to really eat. I chose to help despite the chaos and slight criticisms because of my amateur stuffing and rolling skills.

No matter the occasion, the table had to be fully set, including the soup and salad bowls. God forbid; you forgot the serving dishes in the cupboard right as its time to plate!

An experience I would often try to avoid as a child, is now what I miss about home the most. I miss the rumblings of the pots and pans before everyone woke up. No matter how exhausting or tiresome the act of hosting was, it was worth it when everyone was gathered around the table passing dishes and exchanging stories.

Food is love and connection, not just fuel. Our strongest memories are tied to our sense of smell and most of our ability to taste, comes from that as well. When I came to Vancouver almost decade ago, I was on the hunt for my favourite spots to eat and connect with friends. The hunt proved only semi-successful, with many of my favourite spots unable to survive the dynamic economic climate of this city.

Thus, here we are. I’ve been inspired by the supper clubs re-emerging on social media, akin to the revolutionary underground society chats in history, where strangers gather for no other purpose than to feel heard, and seen. We all crave a sense of community, a sense of family and home, and often the only way to find that in a city so far away, is through food. Not everyone was blessed with a keen sense of intuition in the kitchen, like my older brother for instance. We used to say that he could burn ice… though he is much better now.

If you find yourself in a position like my brother, you might rely on others in your life to help you dazzle up a dish or table setting. I don’t think that people should be punished for their interests, or lack thereof in the kitchen or otherwise. Food is fuel but its also comfort and joy, it’s a blessing that we are often taking for granted.

And as with every occasion in someone’s life, the most important moments are centred around a meal. I’m not sure about you, without food as an incentive, social engagements often feel more like work!

So, Ya Galbi Curations was created out of my own craving for community. I want to share my love for creating moments and meals that you find happiness in.

I also believe that everyone deserves a good meal, no matter their circumstances. That is why at the end of each financial quarter, we will be donating a minimum of 15% of our proceeds to food initiatives tackling food insecurity and clean water initiatives within Canada and worldwide.