In 2010, the seeds of Calabar Kitchen were sown when our owner Emilia Ekpe, a native of Nigeria’s vibrant Calabar region, found herself craving the authentic flavours of home while living in Canada. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t find any eatery offering the rich and diverse cuisine she grew up with. Fueled by a passion to share her heritage with the world, she took matters into her own hands.
Cooking from her own kitchen, she meticulously crafted traditional Calabar dishes, infusing each recipe with the love and authenticity of generations past. Word spread quickly, and soon, friends, family, and even strangers were clamouring for a taste of her culinary creations.
Then, amid the global upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, an unexpected opportunity arose. A small, existing business in Hamilton, Ontario, was up for sale, presenting a chance for our owner to realize her dream on a larger scale. Without hesitation, she seized the moment, seeing it as a sign to bring Calabar’s flavours to the heart of Canada.