By Maisha Hasan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Friday, April 17, Museums of Burlington debuted a travelling exhibit at Joseph Brant Museum, titled “eat make share: a taste of immigration,” created by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (CMIP). The exhibit celebrates the diverse dishes Canada offers and the in-depth histories behind them.
Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan shared his thoughts on Burlington at the opening event.
“I always say that Burlington is kind of like a compass. Niagara Escarpment in the north, the beautiful lake in the south, Bronte Creek Provincial Park in the east, and our beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens in the west. The middle is our culture. Museums of Burlington have been driving that culture,” Nisan said.
Fiona Valverde, vice president of revenue generation at CMIP, noted that the exhibition first opened in Halifax as a temporary exhibit. She also shared her own experience of food and culture.
“I was born in Spain. One of the very first words that you learn is ‘ajo,’ or garlic. At the time, I felt a little different. I didn’t quite feel like I fit in or belonged. But over time, that difference began to grow. I truly cherish it. It’s a reminder of where I come from and the richness of my culture,” Valverde continued. “As you explore the exhibition, I encourage you all to take part, share your stories, celebrate your own traditions, and maybe discover something new about one another. Because even in a world where there can be so much division, food has an incredible ability to bring us together around tables, in conversation, and in community.”
The exhibit was presented by BMO, with representatives speaking at the event. Sam Adeyemi shared remarks on the company’s support.
The exhibit explores the rich history of food from diverse cultures and how these foods came to Canada, with interactive features such as videos and props. The research behind the exhibit took nearly two years to compile.
Kimberly Watson, director of museums at the Museums of Burlington, spoke about how much this exhibit meant not only to her but to all of Burlington.
“A lot of times, the first language that people understand is food. It brings different cultures together. Burlington has a lot of different cultures that call Burlington home. I think people can connect to [this exhibit] and understand it as well. Sometimes people just look at [immigration] as numbers, but this exhibit takes it another step further,” she explained.
Watson continued with a personal story: “I thought about when my grandfather came over to Canada from Scotland. There were certain foods that he made and stories that he told that were related to that, and now looking back, it starts that conversation. My mom passed some of those recipes to my sister and I. Going through this exhibit made me think about that.”
Open now until Sept. 5, 2026, the exhibit offers Burlington residents a chance to see their own stories reflected through the meals, memories, and traditions that connect people across cultures.
