Fil-Canadian ‘mompreneurs’ wow crowds with yummy baos

Bao lovers line up to get their hands on Filipino-style baos during a pop-up store event in Square One mall. FACEBOOK

Over the weekend, bao lovers lined up to taste the Filipino hand-made bao buns at the Food District in Square One mall in Mississauga, Ontario.

The mompreneur tandem of Niña Abacan-Galarde and Elizabeth Buenaventura, owners of Bao Mama, were overwhelmed when they sold out their baos during the pop-up event.

Elizabeth Buenaventura (left) and Niña Abacan-Galarde are introducing their home-made buns in Ontario. FACEBOOK

“Before we get caught up on the busy-ness of our last day,  we want to THANK YOU WESTSIDE/WESTEND… thank you Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville…etc. Wherever you reside… We feel the love! It has been our absolute pleasure serving you all here @shopfooddistrict @shopsquareone,” Bao Mama’s Facebook page reads.

The duo started as a home-based catering business in Oshawa in 2021 but soon opened a restaurant in Scarborough at Morningside Avenue and Sheppard Avenue. They later moved to 4419 Sheppard Ave. E. (Brimley Road and Sheppard Avenue).

Bao Mama’s Facebook page says they chose Mississauga for their first pop-up in a major city because they have many customers who travel to Scarborough from Mississauga to enjoy their hand-made bao buns. The steamed buns showcase their passion for food and the amazing Filipino and Asian flavors.

Bao Mama’s filled steamed buns. FACEBOOK

Buenaventura, who is in charge of the business side, is thankful for the support they have been receiving.

Abacan-Galarde, a Red Seal chef in Alberta, is mixing her training in western cuisine with her Asian roots to come up with the menu.

She said that what makes their bao special is that they make it from scratch and the sauces are also freshly made every day.

Buenaventura said aside from the hard work of their team, and their loyal customers, they are leaning on their faith for the success of the business.