Vendor Feature: Usagi Tea

Do you like to drink matcha tea? I do! Thank you Usagi Tea for your gift!

Who is Usagi Tea?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

Usagi Tea was founded by Jessica and Bonnie and launched in April 2022. Throughout the years, we tried matcha from different grocery stores to local cafes and had yet to find a consistent high quality matcha at a reasonable price that we both enjoyed. This helped curate the idea of starting something together. Usagi Tea exists today because we wanted to give consumers more options to a reasonably priced high quality matcha.

2) Next, what was your background?

Jessica and Bonnie both work in corporate. They were previously colleagues who quickly bonded over food, travel, and matcha! We both come from an asian upbringing, so we are both accustomed to consuming tea since we were young. 

3) Some interesting facts about your product?

We are very proud of the quality of our matcha. We love hearing compliments from those who have given us a try! 😊

Matcha is a great substitution for those who are tired of having a caffeine crash in the afternoon. Unlike coffee, our bodies tend to process the caffeine found in matcha more slowly, which in result gives us alertness throughout the day. Matcha has a multitude of other health benefits such as antioxidants, promotes relaxation, helps with metabolism, and so much more.

4) Anything else you would like to share?

10% Discount code for any of your followers who are interested in giving us a try! 😊 Just use CHOCOVIV10 at checkout.

Thanks again for reaching out and collaborating with us! Much appreciated.

Regards,

Jessica and Bonnie

Usagi Tea

Check them out!

https://linkpop.com/usagitea/

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Vendor Feature: Desi Turka

Have you had any Indian cuisine lately? I was fortunate to receive an invitation to Desi Turka to try out their extensive menu.

Who Is Desi Turka?

1- When and why did you start your business?

We opened in November 2017. Burnaby had many great multicultural and ethnic cuisine. However, we decided to bring something unique to introduce Indian cuisine with many regional dishes of multi regions of India.

2- What was your background?

I was born and raised in India in province called Haryana, where the main profession was farming. So we carried the knowledge of root spices and herbs and how we can use them in different cuisines. Then, in 2013, I moved to Canada and studied my Hotel and Resturant management in Toronto.

3- What is special about your products?

We bring many dishes that are unique in flavour and we have curated them with touch of western and traditional touch.

4- What else do you want to share?

We always like to honor our guests and committed to serve them with best quality food.

Check them out!

https://instagram.com/desiturka?

https://desiturka.ca

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Vendor Feature: Chocobouquet

When I brought my chocolate bouquet to share with my family, they couldn’t believe that the beautiful blooms were edible chocolates! Thank you, Chocobouquet!

Who is Chocobouquet?

1) Why did you start your business?

I love flowers and chocolates. But flowers die very fast and I always felt really said. So one day I decided to combine the two and made flowers out of chocolate! They stay fresh for longer and instead of throwing them out you get to enjoy the delicious taste!

2) What is special about your products?

The flowers are made from the highest quality Swiss and Belgian chocolate. Hence, they are not only pretty, but super tasty.

Check them out!

https://www.chocobouquet.ca/

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Vendor Feature: Pokerrito

Imagine a pokebowl and burrito combined into one…. That’s what a “pokeritto”! Thank you, Pokeritto for the invite.

Who is Pokeritto?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

Started in 2017 to deliver a fresh and unique concept of Poke to Vancouver.

2) What was your background?

Our director grew up on Mexico with a background in sushi making. He wanted to immerse cultures together.

3) Finally, any interesting facts about your product?

Try mixing the sauce with veggies and protein for delicious taste!

Check it out!

https://pokerrito.com/

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Vendor Feature: Ipse Mandoo

Dumplings are a staple in my kitchen. You can panfry, steam or boil them for a quick meal. Thank you, Ipse Mandoo for the invite!

Who is Ipse Mandoo?

1) Why did you start your business?

As a mother, I did not have time to take care of my two years old son when I operated a Japanese restaurant in Langley. Closing the business, I decided to do a small business which I could work according to my own schedule. While I owned a restaurant, I did not like the taste of factory made gyoza. So I developed my own recipes, which was first used for my first sales in the dumpling manufacturing business. Plus, I like to decorate things, which is the reason why I shaped leaf-shaped dumplings.

2) What was your background?

Before I operated two different Japanese restaurants, I worked as a cook from some Korean restaurants. I was into learning various recipes and developed it as my own ones. This enhanced my understanding in Korean food.

3) What is special about your products?

My effort is revealed in the taste of my dumplings. I have a motto to run my business: I only produce the food that my son can eat without any concern. My dumplings are what my son likes the most. That’s why I am always obsessed with checking the quality of ingredients.

• our dumplings are 100% handmade.
• our dumplings are made upon pre-orders. We never make them in advance.
• The wrappers are also made of our secret recipes.
• I always buy the ingredients myself to check the quality.
• My business has grown so fast as my customers instantly noticed the difference between my dumplings and other ones.
• The lineup for our booth was among the longest ones in the BC Dumpling Festival.

4) What else do you want to share?

We are introducing seasonal menu on a regular basis and running giveaways in the future.

Check them out!

https://instagram.com/ipsemandoo

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Vendor Feature: Thomakis Yogurt

I love Greek yogurt! What about you? Thank you Thomakis for the treat!

Who is Thomakis Yogurt?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

My husband Christos wanted to make something to feel connected to his Greek roots. He came home and said he wanted to make yogurt. So he did and it was amazing! He did this during covid when everyone else was making bread. A friend of ours came by and tried the yogurt and said we should make a business…that people would love it. So Thomakis was born.

2) What was your background?

Christos was a chef professionally for many years but when wanting to start a family chose to change directions for a job that was more oriented to be able to balance a family. He works in food sales and distribution. Though his passion was and always will be good food.

3) What is special about your products?

We strive to make the highest quality product. Clean with no fillers or preservatives. It takes time and lots of love and care to get such a smooth silky product.

4) Finally, anything else you want to share?

We love what we do and the community around us who love our product and make it possible for us to continue to grow and share great food with others!

Check them out!

https://thomakis.com/

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Vendor Feature: Sushi Mura (Richmond)

For beer lovers out there, this Japanese restaurant has beer on tap! Thank you Sushi Mura for the invite!

Who is Sushi Mura?

1.Why and when did you start your business?

Our owner EJ ran this business for 11 years now. He has been in the food industry for over 21 years as a chef and the owner.

2.What is the background?

Sushi Mura is a fast-growing restaurant located in Vancouver since 2012. After receiving so much love and support from our customers, we are dedicated to constantly expanding our restaurant in the future. Our goal is to bring customers joy and satisfaction with the best quality of our customer service with our best fresh ingredients.

Until everyone becomes Sushi lovers “Muran,” we won’t stop serving our immersive dining experiences service and the best quality of taste.

3.Finally, what else would you like to share?

With highly experienced and passionate sushi chefs, we strive to bring the greatest taste and finest experience to our customers. To satisfy your desire for an exceptional Japanese foods experience, we only use best quality of ingredients, which we receive from our suppliers every morning.

Check them out!

https://sushi-mura.com/

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Vendor Feature: Spirits With Smoke

These kits are great for making your own infused drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic too!

Who is Spirits With Smoke?

Here are some questions that you can choose to answer:

1) Why and when did you start your business?

Antonio and I are two best friends who started our business because of a great opportunity fueled by a love of whiskey and cocktails.

After working in the hospitality industry for a combined total of 20 years, we saw an opportunity to transform the ordinary cocktail by focusing on creating a complete sensory experience by adding Smoke. While helping a whiskey bar help develop its Old Fashioned program, we recognized that people didn’t just want to enjoy great smoked cocktails; they wanted to craft them at home too!

But now our goal has gone beyond just smoked cocktails. We want bartenders to enjoy various restaurant-quality cocktails at home, whether an Old Fashioned, Margarita or a delicious non-alcoholic creation.

Our goal is for homes across the country to never drink ordinary.

2) Next, what was your background?

Both Antonio and I have backgrounds in Anthropology and Geography. Not exactly directly related to starting a cocktail barware company! However, we met while working at a whiskey bar and fell in love with the hospitality experience.

It is why we are passionate about helping people recreate those experiences at home.

3) Some interesting facts about your product?

Spirits with Smoke is about enhancing your drink, whether it be an alcoholic cocktail or mocktail! So much of what we consider to taste comes from our sense of smell. Smoking can influence the flavour, aroma, and appearance of any cocktail, elevating a simple drink to something extraordinary. However, the tricky part with smoke is that humans don’t have the specific receptors to taste Smoke. That’s where the power of aroma comes in.

Smoke transfers phenols, carbonyl compounds, and organic acids, all breaking down into what we detect as distinctive smells. By adding a smokey dimension, you are adding to the aroma of the drink, which in turn pumps up the flavour and adds depth and complexity to an otherwise ordinary cocktail.

4) Finally, anything else you would like to share?

We are passionate about ensuring we leave the planet better than we found it. That’s why for every product sold, we plant a tree! Our “give back, more than we take” philosophy is one of our core principles.

Check them out!

https://linkpop.com/spiritswithsmoke

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Vendor Feature: Jin Soo Sung Chan Korean BBQ

Thank you, Jin Soo Sung Chan Korean BBQ for the invite!

Who is Jin Soo Sung Chan Korean BBQ?

Why did you start your business?

We always wanted to introduce our Korean traditional food to everyone. We wanted introduce to all that there is a korean bbq place in Guildford Surrey!

Our food is authentic and we have variety of korean food to choose. We have VIP rooms where family and friends can enjoy time with privacy. We can cater to big events, including birthday parties and family gatherings like wedding or celebration of life.

Check them out!

https://www.jinsoosungchan.ca/

https://instagram.com/jinsoosungchankbbq?

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Vendor Feature: Ricardo’s Kandy Korner

There’s so many sugar free choices here!

When you hear the name, you assume this store only sells candy, but it sells more than candy and even sugar free alternatives too!

Who is Ricardo’s Kandy Korner?

1. Why and when did you start your business?

Always thought the idea of a candy store is fun and nostalgic as there isn’t many places that do it and opened it 2021 first location in white rock.

2. What was your background?

Before the candy store, I had a grocery store in White Rock. Also, before that, I was working at the Bank.

3. Why is your business is special?

Currently, we have over 400 different bulk candies such as gummies, chocolates…..you name it.

4. Finally, what else do you want to share?

Venturing out soon! I will be having my own ice cream shop open in White Rock . Eventually, I will have one in downtown Vancouver as well.

Check them out!

https://instagram.com/ricardos.kandykorner

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