(Stacie Banton)
In today’s evolving food industry, female entrepreneurs continue to redefine innovation, leadership, and creativity. Among them is Mariam Ayob, a multi-award-winning Canadian entrepreneur whose passion for food and determination have transformed a simple idea into a growing culinary brand.
As the food sector continues to evolve through changing consumer preferences and advances in food technology, entrepreneurs like Mariam play a vital role in driving innovation, supporting local economies, and creating meaningful opportunities within the industry. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and vision.
Founder & President of Askawayrecipes
Mariam is the Founder and President of Askawayrecipes, a brand known for its flavorful ramen sauce products inspired by Japanese and Korean cuisine. What began as a passion project quickly evolved into a thriving business after Mariam spent countless hours experimenting with flavors and perfecting her signature spicy chicken ramen sauce.
Today, Askawayrecipes offers six unique sauce varieties produced primarily in Brantford, Ontario. Its products are available online and carried in more than 80 retail locations across Ontario and Quebec, serving retailers, wholesalers, and direct consumers while steadily expanding into the food service sector.
Awards & Recognition
Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Mariam Ayob has earned recognition for both her business achievements and commitment to customer excellence. Her accolades include the Customer Excellence Award 2025 from Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and the Appleby Award 2026 from the Small-Scale Food Processor Association.
In addition, Mariam Ayob has been recognized as a nominee for the PARO ERA Awards and was nominated for Young Entrepreneur of the Year at Brantastic in Brantford, Ontario, in 2025. She has also been nominated for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Rogers Women Empowerment Award, both of which will take place in the coming weeks.
Her entrepreneurial journey and growing influence within the food industry have also been featured in publications including the Brant Beacon and Insight Magazine.
A Journey Fueled by Passion and Persistence
Mariam’s entrepreneurial story began with a lifelong passion for food and an exceptional ability to identify flavors, spices, and textures.
“I have always been passionate about food from a very young age,” Mariam shared. “I loved tasting dishes, identifying the spices and textures, and recreating them at home.”
She initially began sharing her culinary creations through social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under the Askawayrecipes brand. During the pandemic, while working in compliance at a financial institution, she began receiving customer orders and experimenting with her own sauce recipes.
“After extensive testing, I developed my signature spicy chicken ramen sauce and shared it with around 100 members of my community,” she explained. “The response was overwhelming and encouraged me to continue building the brand.”
Despite her growing success, Mariam faced significant challenges along the way. One of the most meaningful obstacles was creating Japanese/Korean-inspired ramen sauces as someone outside of those cultures.
“I felt a strong responsibility to honor the cultures and flavors that inspired the product while also making it accessible and appealing to a wide audience,” she said. “Developing a multicultural sauce that could connect with people from different backgrounds required a lot of learning, experimentation, and confidence in my vision.”
Entering the food and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry without prior experience also presented a steep learning curve. Mariam taught herself every aspect of the business — from manufacturing and branding to retail distribution and e-commerce.
“There were many setbacks along the way,” she shared. “But I stayed committed to building something meaningful. Seeing Askawayrecipes products available in retail stores and online today reminds me that passion, persistence, and resilience can help you succeed even in unfamiliar industries.”
Looking Ahead
While Askawayrecipes continues to expand across Ontario and Quebec, Mariam’s ambitions reach far beyond regional success. Her ultimate goal is to become Canada’s leading producer of ramen sauces and bring her products to consumers nationwide.
Mariam Ayob’s journey is more than a business success story — it is an inspiring example of how determination, cultural appreciation, and unwavering belief in one’s vision can turn challenges into opportunities. Through hard work and resilience, she has built a brand that continues to connect with communities and inspire aspiring entrepreneurs across Canada.
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