Méli-Mélo is an edible hodgepodge to help you stay on top of the hits and happenings in Vancouver and beyond. Get the latest — from the this-just-opened and give-backs, to new bites, libations and don’t-miss events.
A love letter to nooch
Earl Ellingson and Trish Humjan are the savvy entrepreneurs behind B.C.’s NoochPOP. They produce the only plant-based cheesy popcorn made with nutritional yeast (a.k.a. nooch), giving it a unique flavour.
According to Ellingson, “The benefits of nutritional yeast include that it is high in fibre, protein and B vitamins. It has this cheesy umami feeling and when it hits the salt, it has this magical explosion. It’s like a superfood.”
The duo began their entrepreneurial journey as college students selling energy balls. They grew that business into a successful protein bar company that they eventually sold. Their next food venture began after trying popcorn with nutritional yeast. They discovered that although many people put nooch on their popcorn at home, no one was selling it commercially. Excited by the idea of creating a delicious, healthy and nutritious product that would “delight and surprise” their customers, they launched NoochPOP. Along with creating their own cheeky flavour combinations, they developed a proprietary blend of coconut, olive and avocado oils to give their non-GMO butterfly popcorn a distinctive buttery taste.
Now with seven craveable flavours, including their newest product, a “naked” popcorn that doesn’t include nooch, NoochPOP is available in over 1000 retail locations across Canada, including 300 Bulk Barns.
NoochPOP
noochpop.ca | @noochpop
Westham Island Herb Farm
The wooden single-lane truss bridge is finally open after being shut down for repairs, and life on Westham Island is back to normal. No one is more grateful than Sharon Ellis, owner-operator of Westham Island Herb Farm.
“My family has been here since the 1880s,” she says. “It was first owned by the Kirklands, and then in 1916 my great-grandfather was the first Ellis to take over the farm.”
Her grandfather and father continued the family legacy by growing and selling pumpkins wholesale, and then in 1994 Ellis officially opened Westham Island Herb Farm. Although herbs are sold, the farm was named after her grandfather, Herb.
Ellis owns the 130-acre farm along with her parents and sisters. Farming on 50 acres, they grow and sell everything from artichokes to zucchini as well as fresh and dried flowers and locally sourced sourdough bread, yogurt, meat, chicken, beef tallow and more. However, with over 90 varieties, pumpkins remain at the heart of the farm.
“I still get excited to get out and pick pumpkins, and I love having the variety of squash, gourds and pumpkins — I love them all,” says Ellis, who started selling pumpkins in a stand with her sister when she was five. “We even had our own scale.”
Westham Island Herb Farm
4690 Kirkland Road, Delta
westhamislandherb.ca | @westhamislandherbfarm
Chai to go
A few blocks east of Main Street on a quiet side street, an open red garage door reveals a cozy covered outdoor space with mismatched chairs and tables, benches and ornate hanging lanterns. Next to a wrought iron arbour, a side door leads to a quaint café filled with fragrant aromas, authentic Indian décor and the friendliest and most passionate staff. This is Sula Café, Vancouver’s newest take-out concept.
Created by the team behind the Sula Restaurant chain, the tiny café launched in 2025. They offer authentic Indian artisanal chai, sweet frothy coffee and Indian-inspired baked goods that include samosa croissants, elaichi (cardamom) lavender cakes and flavourful panini pressed in masala focaccia.
“We bring in all of the spices from India but then roast them here and create our own blend,”says Sheilly, one of the owners.
They also offer seasonal drinks based on their own recipes. According to Sneha, one of the restaurant managers, “We’ll be serving a saffron pop this summer. It’s a refreshing fruity coffee drink with sparkling soda using our own saffron syrup. It has the perfect amount of sweet and sparkly.”
With a full commissary kitchen in the back, Sula Café also offers catering services.
Sula Café
260 East 5th Avenue, Vancouver
sulacafe.com | @sula.cafe
Dumpling Fest is back
The BC Dumpling Festival returns to Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park on Saturday, August 15. The much-anticipated festival is a free, multicultural, family-friendly event that showcases dumplings from around the world, including local favourites such as House of Yee’s gluten-free dumplings and K-Ipse Mandu.
Now in its fifth year, the festival is the brainchild of the Asian Arts and Culture Society, which was established during the pandemic after one of the members experienced racism at the Town Centre Park in 2021. The idea was to create an event that promoted multiculturalism and diversity through arts and cultural activities, and, of course, by offering every type of dumpling possible, including gyoza, wonton, bao, potstickers, ravioli, pierogi, empanada, samosa, har gow and so many more.
bcdumplingfest.ca | @bcdumplingfest
Mandy’s opening in Vancouver
This summer, Mandy’s, a Montreal-based gourmet salad chain, opens the first of two locations in Kitsilano. The second location, in Coal Harbour, opens this fall. The brainchild of sisters Mandy and Rebecca Wolfe, Mandy’s is well known for its signature salads, grain bowls, smoothies, dressing line and charming interiors. The sisters have also published two cookbooks with fun recipes such as a poutine salad… that is actually quite delicious.
mandys.ca | @mandysalads | 1067 West Cordova Street, Vancouver | 2202 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
