Page 31 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE Digital_Neat

A series of jobs followed before she contest, helped make the transition “We do have plans to expand and allow
landed a position through a friend at to entrepreneurship more attainable. more chefs to work in this space with us,
the software company OpenText, where “I was listening to the universe, and it whether they do a pop-up of their own, or
Destiny initially answered phones before was sending me signals that we could maybe they're also personal chefs,” says
working her way up to a senior manager get through this,” she says, noting the Destiny, adding starting small can be key
position which led to global trips death of her mother in the spring of that to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
conducting mergers and acquisitions, year proved to be the catalyst behind “You have to think about what your big
while providing her the opportunity to FoodZen. picture is and how can you start small,
explore international cuisines. “I thought about what she and so many even if it’s part time. Build a reputation
“It became my education and my school,” other Indigenous people had gone and a niche and figure out those small
says Destiny, of working in the tech through and realized I had a bigger goals and don’t say ‘yes’ to everything.”
sector. “I loved everything about it, but purpose – to bring back Indigenous As well, she says collaborating
cooking was always my passion.” food. We went from a whole food diet to with other businesses, and not
Following a move after five years completely living off government rations treating them as competitors,
to a smaller software company, she because all our food was labelled as is also important and can lead
transformed that passion into a reality in exotic, illegal, poisonous and we lost to new opportunities for any
2020 when the pandemic prompted her access to our own food.”
to begin exploring cooking classes. Destiny was shocked to discover nearly entrepreneur.
“When COVID happened they (employers) 80% of Canada’s Indigenous peoples are “Look at the people and businesses
were great about letting me work part consuming processed foods resulting around you and think about how
time. I was Googling classes and came in skyrocketing health issues, including you can work together,” says Destiny,
across Liaison College (now Top Toques increased diabetes and kidney disease who has embraced the freedom of
Institute of Culinary Excellence),” she rates. Coupled with other concerns entrepreneurship and doesn’t miss her
former corporate career. “You’re not
says. “It was just for fun, and I needed surrounding modern farming practices,
something else to do because it turns she made it her mission since becoming working on someone else’s timeline.
out homeschooling my son who was in a personal chef to educate clients about I might have to work every day, but it
Grade 2 at the time, was easier than I what they consume and provide them might only be a few hours and the rest of
thought.” with more nutritious options. the day I can focus on my family.”
One of her courses focused on being a “I wanted to change how people eat food She cherishes her time away from the
personal chef, something that resonated and I have been able to get my foot in kitchen and spending time with her
with Destiny who grew up with the farm- the door because people invite you in husband, Tristan, a software engineer
to-table experience and revelled in when you bring food,” she says. for a Waterloo company, and sons, whom
using fresh foods and preparing meals Her approach and passion quickly she proudly jokes have developed an
for others. caught on in local food circles, leading appreciation for fine dining and a knack
for cooking.
“It’s just how I show my appreciation to collaborations with other businesses
for people. I don’t know how to cook for and after a few short years discovered “They’ve become foodies just like me,”
myself,” she says, and made the decision the need to find a larger location where laughs Destiny, who also enjoys the
in January 2021 to chart a new career she could expand her growing business. chance to experience someone else’s
cooking. “I appreciate it when I get
path. “I told my husband I’m just going to Opening a storefront in Hespeler has
quit my job and follow my passion, even given FoodZen much needed space invited to someone’s house and I don’t
though I was 40 at the time.” to allow her and three staff members even care if they give me crackers and
cheese because it’s something I didn’t
to create a variety of prepared meals
Destiny admits financially it was a featuring natural ingredients, including have to think about.”
concern but having money set aside, various homemade sauces and rubs.
including a $10,500 win in a local radio To learn more, visit www.foodzen.ca.

www.cambridgechamber.com Winter 2026 31