Mayo’s Aleppo Foods wins national entrepreneur award

South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC), trading as Mayo Intercultural Action, is delighted to announce that Westport’s Aleppo Foods has been awarded Best Newcomer Entrepreneur at Dignity Partnership’s (DiP) inaugural Empowering Refugee Entrepreneur Awards 2021.

Aleppo Foods is a catering company run by Manar Salo and Fadi Soufan and specialises in Syrian and Mediterranean food. Prior to Covid-19, they were regulars at Westport Country Markets on Thursday mornings.

Manar and Fadi are relative newcomers to Westport, having moved there in 2016 as part of the Mayo Syrian Refugee Resettlement Project. SWMDC provided dedicated resettlement support to all the Syrian refugees as part of this project.

Commenting on the award, Manar and Fadi said “We are delighted to be recognised nationally for our work showcasing Syrian food and flavours in the west of Ireland. Westport is our home and people have made us very welcome. It is wonderful for us to find a home in this community.”

DiP’s Rosey Kunene added: “DiP were honoured to receive such interest and support for our very first Empowering Refugee Entrepreneurs Awards and are delighted for all nominees.”

SWMDC has provided dedicated support to migrants throughout Mayo to resettle and integrate. Social inclusion coordinator with SWMDC, Maria McHale, paid tribute to Aleppo Foods, saying: “It is tremendous credit to Manar and Fadi’s hard work, skill and dedication that they have won this award. Having sampled some of their dishes, I can confirm they are worthy winners.”

She added: “Dignity Partnership’s Refugee Entrepreneur Awards is a great initiative to showcase a small selection of the skills and talents that migrants bring to Ireland, and we in SWMDC are proud to play a part in promoting the benefits of diversity.”