Chaima arrived in Canada with hope, ambition, and a deep connection to the culture she grew up in. She was ready to build something new, she just wasn’t willing to leave everything behind to do it. Darna means “our home” in Arabic. Have one bite of Chaima’s preserved lemon chicken tagine, and you understand exactly why.
From Morocco to Canada
Coming to Canada meant starting over in almost every way: new language, new rhythms, a lifestyle that required Chaima to push herself far outside what felt familiar.
“There were moments of loneliness and sadness,” she says, “especially being far from daily life during holidays and special occasions, and days when the cold felt heavier than I expected.”
But she didn’t let those moments define her. She let them shape her.
“They taught me patience, strength, and motivation to believe in myself and my journey. I turned these moments and challenges into a hobby, and that’s how I was able to focus on my career and my business.”
The Food
Chaima’s menu is a love letter to Moroccan tradition, built from childhood memories and family recipes that she has carried across the ocean. Preserved lemon and saffron-scented chicken, lamb with prunes and apricot, even a fragrant vegetarian version layered with roasted vegetables and Moroccan spices. There is also pastilla, the iconic Moroccan pie filled with seafood or chicken, vermicelli, and preserved lemon. Plus she serves stuffed dates and almond croissants filled with frangipane, orange blossom, and Arabic mastic.
“Every dish I make carries memories of my childhood, my family recipes, and the rich traditions of Morocco,” she says.
A Dream That Started Long Before the Business Did
Chaima is not someone who waits for permission to begin. Long before Darna Moroccan Flavours existed as a registered business, she was already selling: candles, paintings, vegan cookies, Moroccan street food at the beach. The entrepreneurial instinct was always there.
“Since I went to high school, I have always started small things,” she says. “But I always dreamed of having a bigger registered business.”
Starting Darna Moroccan Flavours required her to take a significant risk. She funded the business herself, from personal savings, and didn’t see a return for the first year. She kept going anyway.
“It was a big risk,” she says, “but I still believe in my vision.”
That belief is not abstract, it shows up in every dish. She defines success not by profit margins but by staying connected to who she is and where she comes from.
“Success is about believing in yourself and in growth without giving up,” she says, “and opening doors for people around me.”
What Community Means at the Farmers’ Market
Ask Chaima what community means to her and she doesn’t hesitate.
“Community means connection, trust, and shared experience,” she says. “It’s not just about people coming to the market to buy and sell, but to support one another, to learn from each other, and to feel a sense of belonging.”
Soccer, Pride, and the Table in Between
When asked about her connection to soccer and the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Chaima says “It’s not just a game, it’s a moment of pride and connection.” During the African Cup, she and her friends gathered at home to support the team, staying in for those days entirely, the table full, the energy high.
With FIFA World Cup coming to Canada this summer, that pride is going to have a very big stage. And somewhere between the matches, you can find a piece of Morocco at the farmers’ market.
Where to Find Darna Moroccan Flavours
Chaima is at farmers’ markets across the Lower Mainland throughout the year. Find her at Riley Park, Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano, Trout Lake, False Creek, and New Westminster Farmers’ Markets or visit her online.