My passion for food began in childhood, and my passion for business merged with it in my early twenties when I opened my first culinary business. I'm honoured to bring the sisterhood, community and support that Canadian Women in Food offers to female identifying, non binary and gender non conforming culinary business owners in Eastern Ontario.
Together we can work collaboratively to make things better in our communities for our businesses, and for the entrepreneurs of the future. I am deeply honoured to be the President of the first CWIF chapter outside of Toronto, and am excited for what I can bring to the table from my years of experience as not only a culinary coach and consultant, but as a bakeshop owner as well.
I resolve to help foster the development of Eastern Ontario as a great place to open and run a culinary business and thank CWIF founder and President Cheryl Appleton for her faith and trust in me to bring all the good this organization does to Eastern Ontario.
The CWIF Eastern Ontario Fanpage is here to keep you all up to date on the latest happenings with our members. If you are interested in becoming a member of CWIF Eastern Ontario, the link is here. Please use CWIFOE into the Promo Code box when registering so we can add you to our members only forum where you can access support, advice and camaraderie.
We can accomplish so much more working together, and I thank you for your love and support as I begin this exciting initiative in Eastern Ontario.
xo Mandi
Mandi Lunan is an Ottawa-based entrepreneur and Founder of Mandi Lunan Food Business Coach. Mandi has worked with diverse clients in all stages of the business life cycle in North and Central America since 2016.
At the tender age of 23 she founded Eastern Ontario's very first vegan bakery -Auntie Loo's Treats- and changed the landscape and perceptions of vegan pastry in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. At her peak she brokered deals before the age of 30 with grocery giants Farmboy and Aramark, and even dabbled in the local wedding industry. After a few difficult years, a devastating bicycle accident and ignoring the warning signs of her struggling business, she neglected her self care and lost it all. She is determined to ensure other culinary entrepreneurs never needlessly struggle or suffer alone.
Mandi is much loved and renowned for her discretion, empathy, positive attitude and creativity. Her clients have described her as a "Business Fairy Godmother and Matchmaker", a "Human Rolodex of the best people in the industry" and one was even heard to comment, "My only regret is not hiring her sooner."
Mandi currently resides in Ottawa with her partner photojournalist Chris Wattie, her books and an obscene amount of lipstick she'll never be able to wear all of in her lifetime.
In her spare time she can be found in Prince Edward County with her family, wandering the local farmers markets, or enjoying a proper pint of Beyond the Pale's Darkness with a true crime novel at her favourite pub- the Manx.
