Travel Adventures

I was exploring Vermont for a few activations across the state and connected with the business association. Johanna and Will were so excited that we create opportunities for small businesses instead of reaching out to the large, more established restaurants in the area. The association was so helpful and offered many other possible partners for similar future events. They even went with Kismayo Kitchen on their site visit to UVM to assist. Here are some of our new partners.

Kismayo Kitchen:

This may be the most heartfelt story I have heard in a while. Ahmed Omar fled war torn Somalia as a 17 year old and settled in Burlington. He opened Vermont’s first Somalian restaurant, Kismayo Kitchen, in 2019. Sadly in 2023, he passed away in his sleep. His wife Anisa had the heart breaking choice of closing the restaurant or keeping his memory and mission alive. With the help of Ahmed’s sister, they re-opened to pass the legacy on to their two daughters.

Hong's Dumplings:

Owner, Hong Yasner is a star! Literally….she was featured on an episode of the Food Network’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and loves interacting with all people and singing to her dumplings made with love. She started her food cart in Church Street Marketplace in 2000 and has a brick and mortar location on Pearl St.