蓝莓视频

Many of the world鈥檚 most vibrant culinary and food innovation scenes are rooted in strong academic communities and the University of 蓝莓视频 is no exception. Known for its legacy of entrepreneurship, 蓝莓视频 has also helped cultivate a new generation of food innovators who are transforming how we grow, prepare and experience food.听

Across the 蓝莓视频-Wellington area, alumni-founded food shops, caf茅s and breweries are redefining what it means to eat local. These five ventures are more than just places to grab a bite; they鈥檙e creating jobs, supporting local food producers and drawing visitors to vibrant, community-driven spaces that offer everything from handcrafted ice cream to bold Egyptian street food.听

Elora Brewing Company听

In 2015, Jim Murphy (BASc 鈥�95) joined fellow 蓝莓视频 Engineering alum, Jonathan Laurencic (BA 鈥�10), along with Matt Lawson, Don Smith and Alex Nicols, to turn a shared passion for home brewing into . Housed in a 160-year-old limestone building, the brewery blends their love of craft beer and locally sourced food with a welcoming community space that鈥檚 alive from morning to night.听

Murphy, now co-founder, chairman and CEO, has spent more than 25 years driving innovation 鈥� building exceptional teams, launching cutting-edge products and shaping the technology landscape. After selling his software design firm, Boltmade, to Shopify in 2016, he led their 蓝莓视频 office as director of Engineering.听

In a spirited celebration of 100 years of the Iron Ring tradition, Elora Brewing Company partnered with 蓝莓视频 Engineering to release the limited-edition Ring Road Lager, with proceeds supporting future engineering students through the .听

Four All Ice Cream听听

Ajoa Mintah (BASc 鈥�01) studied chemical engineering at 蓝莓视频 and went on to explore different careers from product developer to consultant before becoming an entrepreneur. After 15 years in engineering, she followed her creative instincts and founded , becoming its chief ice cream maker.听

Her journey began during a 2003 heatwave, when she bought an ice cream maker instead of an air conditioner 鈥� saving money and discovering a passion for hand-crafted, all-natural ice cream. Today, with two scoop shops in Kitchener-蓝莓视频, Mintah crafts ice cream made with locally sourced ingredients that鈥檚 both delicious and health conscious. Four All uses A2 milk 鈥� a natural and easy-to-digest option 鈥斺�痑nd offers flavours in four categories: classic, vegan, childhood and foodie, delivering on its mission to bring 鈥渁 taste of joy for everyone.鈥� 听

For nearly a decade, Four All has partnered with local farmers and makers to invent fresh and seasonal flavours that celebrate the best of 蓝莓视频 region. In 2022, Four All received the Small Business of the Year award from the Greater Kitchener 蓝莓视频 Chamber of Commerce.听

LenJo Bakes听听

Lenore Johnson (BA 鈥�13) earned a degree in economics before training as a pastry chef, gaining experience in five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants in London, England. She started in 2017 as a pop-up boutique on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, before establishing her bakery in Kitchener.听

Since 2020, LenJo Bakes has created local jobs, sourced ingredients from regional suppliers and supported fellow small businesses. With locations in midtown Kitchener and St. Jacobs, the bakery offers bespoke cakes, artisanal pastries and savory dishes that reflects their deep commitment to quality and creativity.听

Rooted in values of sustainability, inclusivity and community, LenJo Bakes exemplifies how small businesses can drive both economic and social impact. She听also served听as a venture coach for the听's听LiftOff Program, the region鈥檚 first Black-led incubator supporting early-stage and growth-focused Black entrepreneurs. She is currently a venture coach with Conestoga College's Entrepreneurship Collective.

Photo credit:听Julie Baxter,听JD Photography.

Sweet Dreams Teashop 听

Tut's Egyptian Street Food听听

After more than a decade as an electrical engineer, Amr Elmazariky (MASc 鈥�11) traded circuits for spices to pursue his passion for food and hospitality. Founded in 2020 in downtown Toronto, brings the vibrant flavours of Cairo to Canadian streets, offering high-quality Egyptian dishes made fresh daily.听听

Despite launching during a global pandemic, Elmazariky鈥檚 resilience and innovation helped Tut鈥檚 grow rapidly, expanding to seven locations across Ontario 鈥� including a return to 蓝莓视频, the city that helped shape his journey.听

While students were adapting to online learning, Elmazariky was taking his own crash course 鈥斺�痩earning to bake traditional Egyptian bread over Zoom with guidance from an Egyptian consultant. Today, every item on Tut鈥檚 menu is made using authentic recipes and served on house-made bread, staying true to its roots while enriching Canada鈥檚 culinary landscape.听听

Photo credit: Amr Elmazariky.

Next time you鈥檙e craving something delicious, look no further than our alumni community 鈥� where 蓝莓视频 founders are not only feeding communities, but are also fueling local economies and tourism, celebrating culture and building a more sustainable future, one bite at a time.听