Back with us at the Bonnington Café for his regular Vegan Thursdays is former longtime resident cook Misiek, whose Polish-influenced dishes are bursting with seasonal flavours!

Hind is from Syria and came here six years ago. She studied philosophy in Syria and wanted to find a new home. It was hard for her to feel like she belonged in a different country. She thought about how to create a place that felt like home. Hind decided to use cooking to show her culture. She started making her mom’s recipes and really liked cooking. She added her own ideas and then started her own business called Utopia.

This is Dirty Apron’s first evening at the cafe where Suzie will be cooking up a seasonal dinner of warming, vibrant dishes.

Community queer night

Vida is our new Persian cook and describes her cooking as a symphony of flavours. It lies a delicate balance of sweet and sour, earthy and fragrant, rich yet subtle. Herbs are used abundantly, not just as garnishes but as foundational elements. Saffron, dried limes, turmeric, rosewater, pomegranate molasses, and cinnamon infuse dishes with complex aromas and deep hues.
Persian cuisine is much more than a collection of recipes — it is a living tradition, a story told in spices, stews, and shared tables. Whether you’re biting into crispy tahdig, savouring the tartness of a pomegranate-laced stew, or enjoying the aroma of freshly brewed cardamom tea, you’re tasting centuries of culture and care.

Hind is from Syria and came here six years ago. She studied philosophy in Syria and wanted to find a new home. It was hard for her to feel like she belonged in a different country. She thought about how to create a place that felt like home. Hind decided to use cooking to show her culture. She started making her mom’s recipes and really liked cooking. She added her own ideas and then started her own business called Utopia.

Back with us at the Bonnington Café for his regular Vegan Thursdays is former longtime resident cook Misiek, whose Polish-influenced dishes are bursting with seasonal flavours!

Mira is an experienced vegan chef with over 10 years of expertise in crafting wholesome, plant-based cuisine that celebrates flavour, health, and sustainability. With a deep appreciation for fresh, seasonal ingredients, which combines culinary creativity with a commitment to ethical and environmentally conscious cooking.  Drawing inspiration from global cuisines, she crafts innovative dishes that transform simple plants into extraordinary meals-proving that vegan food can be both nourishing and indulgent.  Dedicated to community and connection,  Mira regularly cooks Tuesday’s community lunches using food as a way to foster inclusion, sustainability, and compassion. With a deep commitment to ethical cooking and environmental awareness, she continues to inspire others to explore the power of plant-based eating through delicious, accessible meals.

Hind is from Syria and came here six years ago. She studied philosophy in Syria and wanted to find a new home. It was hard for her to feel like she belonged in a different country. She thought about how to create a place that felt like home. Hind decided to use cooking to show her culture. She started making her mom’s recipes and really liked cooking. She added her own ideas and then started her own business called Utopia.

Back with us at the Bonnington Café for his regular Vegan Thursdays is former longtime resident cook Misiek, whose Polish-influenced dishes are bursting with seasonal flavours!