Calgary

Calgary catering business helps newcomers create recipe for success

Geeta Khanduja from India is one of the hundreds of newcomers EthniCity Catering has helped since the business began in 1997. 

Operated by the Centre for Newcomers in Calgary, EthniCity Catering provides Canadian work experience and training to immigrants in transition, while serving up tasty dishes from around the world to its clients.

“When I moved to Calgary in May 2010 with my husband and two children, I felt like a stranger,” explained Khanduja. “I had trouble finding a job because I didn’t have any Canadian work experience. But then EthniCity Catering gave me a chance to prove myself. The supervisors treated us like family and the program filled me with the self-confidence I needed.”

Like Khanduja, many of the employees at EthniCity Catering, known as kitchen helpers, face challenges finding work, including limited English skills, lack of Canadian work experience, isolation and culture shock.

“To help overcome these challenges, kitchen helpers work part time while they learn about the Canadian work environment, build their skills, and search for permanent employment,” said Linh Bui, Ethnicity Catering’s training coordinator. “They practice communication and teamwork skills appropriate to Canadian workplaces, learn what Canadian employers expect, and participate in training related to working in a commercial kitchen, and finding and keeping employment in Canada.”

The program provides a safe place to share experiences of coming to a new country, while allowing participants to build confidence and learn about resources that help them, and their families, settle and integrate. “Some of them have never worked outside of the home, so seeing the excitement they have when they earn their first pay cheque is very inspiring,” added Bui.

EthniCity Catering, initially funded by the Calgary Foundation, receives funding from the United Way of Calgary and Area and Citizenship and Immigration of Canada. The business also received funding from Alberta Employment and Immigration to restructure its training program in 2008.

In addition to helping newcomers to Alberta, EthniCity Catering works to educate the public. “We want to encourage the public, particularly other employers, to welcome immigrants and refugees, and to recognize the potential, skills and commitment they bring to Canada,” said Bui.

For more information, visit www.ethnicitycatering.ca. or call 403-537-8809. To watch a short video about EthniCity Catering and other newcomer stories, visit the Immigrate to Alberta YouTube Channel.

Date Updated: Aug 03, 2011
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