Key facts
- Meet My Mama is a Paris-based foodtech company supporting women entrepreneurs in the catering industry.
- The company provides training, mentorship, and business opportunities to women, many with immigrant backgrounds.
- Founded in 2017, Meet My Mama aims to transform culinary talent into thriving businesses.
- The initiative is inspired by the 'Mères Lyonnaises,' pioneering female chefs from Lyon.
- Meet My Mama has helped around 80 women launch catering businesses and organizes over 600 events annually.
In Paris, a new wave of home cooks, many with immigrant backgrounds, are transforming the French catering market through the support of Meet My Mama, a foodtech company dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs.
Marie-Clarisse Bonzia, who runs Maison Kolia, exemplifies this movement. Originally from Congo, she learned French culinary techniques to showcase ingredients from her home country, creating fusion dishes like cassava and okra mini-quiches. Her journey into professional cooking was driven by the need for greater autonomy while caring for her daughter, who required specialized medical treatment in France.
Meet My Mama, founded in 2017 by Loubna Ksibi, Donia Souad Amamra, and Youssef Oudahman, provides training, mentorship, and business opportunities to women, aiming to elevate their culinary talents into thriving businesses. The startup's name and mission are inspired by the 'Mères Lyonnaises,' pioneering female chefs from Lyon who established their own restaurants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The company welcomes women from diverse global backgrounds, fostering a rich culinary exchange. Milena Pecho, founder of Wankas, celebrates Peru's heritage with dishes like Nikkei ceviche, while Aminata Kane aims to present African cuisine gastronomically. Through partnerships like the one with Ecole Ducasse, participants refine their skills and business acumen.
Meet My Mama has facilitated the launch of approximately 80 catering businesses and has a waiting list of thousands of aspiring chefs. The company now caters for major corporations and prestigious events, including those at the Palace of Versailles and the Eiffel Tower, demonstrating significant commercial success alongside its social mission. The founders emphasize that the business growth directly fuels their social impact, creating a virtuous cycle.