An Edmonton Black-owned restaurant is being recognized for its perseverance in breaking through racial barriers — and is now receiving a boost to help grow its business.
Sauce Modern Caribbean Cuisine, located in northwest Edmonton, is one of three Black-owned restaurants in the city awarded a $10,000 grant from DoorDash Canada’s Black Food Energy program.
The restaurant was created by the Robertson family in honour of their late aunt Linda, whose love of cooking brought people together. Her sister, Zetha Robertson, now serves as head chef and says starting the business came with challenges beyond the typical hurdles.
“You have some people that are very skeptical because of [their] past experience, and we just want to be able to show them that’s not what’s happening here,” said Robertson.
She said the family had multiple bank loan applications denied and struggled to find mentorship or guidance on permitting, paperwork and funding — especially within the niche of Caribbean cuisine.
“Being a Black business, we have to do more. We have to work harder. Do much more so we can stay afloat,” she said.
The $10,000 grant will go toward much-needed upgrades, including covering their patio to prevent falling tree needles and leaves from disrupting diners, and making improvements to their kitchen.
Robertson said the support is a gamechanger for the restaurant, and her daughter — who now manages the business — is determined to honour her aunt’s culinary legacy and serve even more of the Edmonton community.
“My daughter was extremely happy about this,” Robertson said. “And I think really, she deserved this, because she’s trying so hard.”
