Shuraya's Kitchen

05/24/2026

Sometimes I genuinely feel like I’m running my own little cooking show now 🤣 It's been almost 3 years. 65+ cooking experiences. Same kitchen. Same pots. Same dining table.

Just a slightly different version of Shuraya and a beautiful blooming tree 😍

More honest. More confident. A little more fearless. (Still panics sometimes 😭) Cries regularly. Laughs loudly. And definitely romanticizing her life one torkari at a time 😍 still somewhere between all the hosting, storytelling, cooking, and feeding people… I finally found the courage to show up online 6 months ago.

And honestly? You guys witnessed a live healing journey in real time! While my newsfeed constantly pushes division, fear, and conversations about separation/exclusivity, I am over here cooking torkaris, welcoming strangers, especially those who are genuinely curious and open minded! That version of Canada deserves to be seen too. Yes I grew up in segregation, but I think diaspora kids carry a unique advantage, growing up with the curiosity and perspective to understand both worlds!

And one thing I always tell my guests, (yes guestsnever “students”) is how much they’ve become part of my healing journey too. The unconditional support, encouragement, kindness, and love I receive from people who walk into my home is something I never expected when I first started hosting. They truly make it feel like home.

Even tonight, one of my guests graciously offered to document all my tiny random moments so I could share them with you guys later 🥹 That level of care touches me deeply because for so long, I never felt seen.

And one thing I deeply admire about Canadians is their curiosity and openness. The way people ask questions with genuine interest, sit with unfamiliar stories, try new food, and make space for different cultures with kindness, it’s something I am incredibly proud to create. And thanks to everyone for appreciating! So thank you for showing up. Truly 🥹
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05/23/2026

Getting ready felt extra special yesterday because of my girlfriends 😭 From hair care tips, skincare routines, outfit opinions, and to hyping me up, women truly bring softness back into each other’s lives.

The older I grow, the more I am appreciating this connection and the genuine female friendships. There is something healing about being reminded that you deserve to feel beautiful, cared for, and seen. And of course, there is no shame in asking for help! (A hard habit to break from an oldest daughter)

And before anyone gets emotional, yes, you guys have touched me, but not literally 🤣

05/20/2026

What started as conversations around grief, food, healing, burnout, breathwork, and belonging somehow turned into our very first wellness retreat together!

A year ago, Palak Dadwal .makeover.services , a certified coach, attended my cooking class, and I attended one of her grief sessions. Through lived experiences and meaningful conversations, we realized how deeply people are craving safe spaces to slow down, connect, nourish themselves, and simply breathe.

So two passionate women decided to collaborate and create something intentional and meaningful.

Hosted in my home, this intimate retreat will include mindful cooking with traditional Bangladeshi dishes, fully guided breathwork & meditation, journaling, reflection, nourishing comfort food, and cozy mix of both indoor and outdoor spaces.

No pressure to perform wellness.
No expectation to “have it all figured out.”
Just a space to show up as human beings and reconnect with ourselves gently.

If your mind and body have been asking you to slow down lately, maybe this is your sign. Join us next month on June 20th Limited spots available. Bookings at shurayaskitchen.ca and in bio.
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05/20/2026

My version of cooking hacks! 🤣

Accidentally overcook the pierogies today then confidently turned them into kothu roti and call it a multicultural success story!

Growing up in Toronto for 22 years, exposed me to so many cultures, flavors, and ways of cooking that my brain now treats kitchen mistakes like a creative challenge instead of a disaster 🤣

Honestly, some of my best meals happened because I refused to waste food and got curious instead. Problem solving but make it delicious! (You can ask my family🤣)

What’s the most chaotic cooking save you’ve ever made?!
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05/16/2026

Future cooking dates are out! Each cooking experience will feature dishes that I personally love eating, and I am excited to share these Bangladeshi flavors that I guarantee you never tasted before! One of my repeat guests once shared, "It's like going to a comedy show, but you get fed after." 😂 😍

Get ready to engage in meaningful conversations, meet locals/visitors, experience Bengali hospitality, and eat healthy homestyle dishes shared over one table, intentionally designed to bring people together around comfort food, stories, and connection. You will be surprised how similar we all are!

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. My passion for preserving and sharing my culture was deeply shaped through loss, and these gatherings have become one of the most meaningful ways for me to heal, connect, and keep those stories alive.

Bookings officially open Sunday morning! Visit my website at www.shurayaskitchen.ca for full details.
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05/16/2026

Join me as I process cancelling my Beef Tehari class 😭
And honestly… if I called it a “biryani class,” I probably would have had no issue filling seats. And that’s the reality of showcasing an underrated cuisine like Bangladeshi food abroad. So many of our dishes carry history, comfort, regional identity, and incredible depth, yet most people outside our community have never even heard their names before.

But I’m not giving up 🤍
Because cultural storytelling takes time. Curiosity takes time. And every cuisine that became globally recognized once had someone continuously introducing it to strangers. And I have my dear guests coming back again and again to taste more of our food and that's hope! So until people crave Tehari the way they crave biryani… I will keep talking about it!

Stay tuned for future dates which I will release tomorrow!
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05/12/2026

This fish curry class wasn’t just cooking, it was a memory on a stove and I am so honored to share them with my guests! We shared stories of growing up in the Diaspora, where Bangladeshi flavors followed me across oceans and shaped who I am. I shared why Bengalis are known for their deep love for fish, and why is it so important to understand its benefits. Of course I talked about our Padma river in Bangladesh and how it's a whole fish universe! And it's not a one way conversations, we all shared about our childhood memories and simply connected over homemade food!

I also recognize the privilege I have had in my journey, and the hardship my parents endured while building life here as immigrants. Because of that, I want to use this space to gently remind us of our roots and reconnect us with our culture, stories, and nourishment we often overlook.

Grateful to my parents for keeping our roots alive, and grateful to be in Canada where I can still find our spices, our fish, and also beautiful local ingredients that blend into the story! So if you want to join my table next and learn about the beauty of our Bangladeshi cuisine, visit my website at www.shurayaskitchen.ca. I look forward to hosting you 😍
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05/08/2026

Menu for our fish curry feast! I am not kidding when I say I grew up eating fish almost every single day with my dad! Ekdom Mache bhat-e Bangali, meaning fish and rice make a Bangali! And it's not just a saying. It reflects identity, geography, agriculture, economy, and comfort all in one sentence!

We are known to be fish lovers, and that's because Bangladesh sits on one of the world's largest river deltas, which explains why we have hundreds of fish species in all sizes!

And this weekend, I am so excited to share some of the ultimate Bangladeshi comfort dishes I grew up eating through my Fish Curry Feast experience here in Calgary.

Every fish will be locally sourced, wild-caught, and fresh. From crispy fish pakora, to whole fish bhuna slowly cooked in spices, to one of my absolute favorites: tomato khatta… a sweet, savoury, tangy tomato soup situation that most people have never tasted before!

This menu feels deeply personal to me. It tastes like childhood, Bengali kitchens, and the kind of meals that quietly hold generations together.

Can’t wait to gather around the table with everyone this weekend! Let me know which one gets you hungry!
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05/08/2026

The day I saw my bhorta cooking experience featured by Calgary Tourism, I felt so much joy, excitement… and also a quiet sadness. Moments like these make me miss my dad deeply. And my guests who attended my class over the last 3 years, know how grieve gave me this courage to pursue my passion for sharing my cuisine! So much of who I am was inspired by him, and I truly hope I am making him proud. Watching him build Marhaba Supermarket, one of Toronto’s first Bangladeshi grocery stores, felt like growing up inside a cultural classroom. I learned so much about our language, discovered the beauty of our authentic ingredients, and witnessed what community building looks like. Thank you for being part of my healing journey ❤️

05/03/2026

Join us to feast on delicious Bangladeshi food! -

This Mother’s Day, give the moms in your life something beyond flowers or gift cards: a chance to rest, be cared for, and experience something meaningful. My Fish Curry Class falls on Mother’s Day, and it feels like the perfect way to celebrate the women who spent years feeding everyone else. Si...