Resa Solomon-St. Lewis

Pursuing Her Culinary and Entrepreneurial Passions

Entrepreneurial spirit is a mindset. It’s an attitude and approach to thinking that actively seeks out change. Resa Solomon-St. Lewis’ entrepreneurial spirit had been calling her for many years. In the winter of 2013, she decided to answer the call.

Resa was a former manager in the federal government with a chemical engineering degree when she traded in her desk job to pursue her dreams and enrolled in Algonquin’s Culinary Skills Chef Training program.

“It has been a life-long passion to go to chef’s school and I wanted to be able to make my own decision and chart my own path,” says Resa. “I’ve wanted to pursue this for so long, I couldn’t help but be engaged with all of the classes.”

Resa knew that she wanted to open her own business once her training was completed and looked to her professors to help guide her toward her goal.

“The professors were amazing, not only when teaching, but always there to offer advice and insight on the industry,” says Resa. “Each and every one of the courses I pursued during my time at Algonquin College was of great value to me. It all helped me along my path to becoming a chef and food entrepreneur.”

After graduation, Resa went on to open Baccanalle, an Ottawa-based culinary business focused on Caribbean speciality foods. Resa’s skills are not going unnoticed by the local culinary community. In August, 2015 Resa won the Beechwood Market Chef Cook-off. Later that year, Resa represented the High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and won Ottawa’s Embassy Chef Challenge.

When she isn’t busy running her own business, Resa makes time to stay involved in the Ottawa community. For two years, Resa served on the board of directors for the Ottawa Speciality Food Association.

In 2015, Resa collaborated with the Rotary Club of Ottawa to raise money for Doctors Without Borders through a fundraiser at City Hall.

Although the path to owning a business may not always be smooth, Resa explains that it’s all in how you look at it. “Sometimes you make mistakes and have to learn, but I own every mistake I make,” admits Resa. “If you’re willing to put in the work and dedicate the hours, it will be very rewarding.”