Serving up superior customer experiences with great taste
We should all feel eternally grateful that some people have an undeniable passion for providing nutritious and delcious food for the rest of us. What would we do without our restaurants and cafés, our markets and takeout spots, and the people that make the treats and staples that we find there?
Perish the thought. These women love what they do. The deep satisfaction of using their creative talents and business acumen vastly outweighs the hard work and ever-changing challenges. Thank goodness!
Tracie Aarts 
Old North Sconery & Market
For Tracie Aarts, baking is more than a business — it’s a way of bringing people together.
Tracie’s journey as owner, baker and recipe creator began in 2020 with Arva Mill House Bakery. She moved and rebranded to Old North Sconery & Market in 2024.
Raised in London with deep roots in Nova Scotia, Tracie finds joy in food, the outdoors, and attending concerts with her daughter. A lifelong passion for hospitality led her to create a business centered around community. “Some customers have been coming
in for years. Those connections are priceless,” she says.
Her advice to women in the industry? “Plan for everything — and expect the unexpected. The ability to pivot is essential.” With warmth and resilience, Tracie continues to build a bakery that feels like home.
oldnorthsconery.ca
Jennifer Boyar
Old North Sconery & Market 
Jennifer Boyar is front-of-house manager and a key to the dining experience at Woodstock’s sixthirtynine, which she co-owns with her husband, Executive Chef Eric Boyar. Jennifer waited until their three daughters were in school before joining the restaurant full-time. Unpretentious and elegant — like the restaurant — she is dedicated to breaking down barriers around fine dining, proving that exceptional cuisine is not exclusive or intimidating, but something to be savoured by all.
Drawing from her background in nursing, Jennifer brings a deep sense of care to her role. “We strive for an inviting atmosphere where diners can relax, explore thoughtfully curated menus, and discover the quality of locally sourced ingredients,” says Jennifer. She also selects the restaurant’s wine list, focusing on regional selections and Old World classics, and loves inspiring guests to experience new flavours.
• sixthirtynine.com
Jodie Marshall
Marshall’s Pasta
Jodie and Blake Marshall’s love of fresh pasta launched Marshall’s Pasta about 30 years ago.
“We were hooked on fresh pasta and couldn’t find any, so we decided to make our own,” says Jodie. As a busy mother of four daughters, she wanted food “made from scratch, nothing fried.”
Today, the business provides nutritious food for schools, sports teams and families. “We are one of the largest providers of school lunches in London.” Marshall’s also cater to local teams, those competing in the area, and those on their way to other cities that pick up meals for the road.
“It’s important to make money but not just for yourself. It’s important to have compassion,” Jodie says, citing several organizations that they support.
• marshallspastacatering.ca
Stephanie Metzger
Metzger Meats
“There is a place for everyone in this industry,” says Stephanie Metzger, who encourages women to explore the many opportunities in food production, from business management to logistics and quality control. A key player in her family’s business, Stephanie has been immersed in the industry since childhood, working evenings and weekends before deciding to work in it full-time after college. Now specializing in customer relations and wholesale, she also lends a hand in retail, administration, and packaging.
“I love the hands-on nature of my work,” says Stephanie, “and the sense of pride in knowing we’re feeding communities with high quality products.” Passionate about staying active, Stephanie enjoys long walks, the gym, and — most of all — spending time with her husband and children, creating lasting memories together.
• metzgermeats.com
Jymal Newell
Unger’s Market
Jymal Newell has called London home for 26 years, after growing up in Dresden, Chatham-Kent. A wife, proud mom of two young men, and dog mom to two little pooches, Jymal has always had a passion for home decor, styling, and design. At Unger’s, she thrives as the Giftware Buyer, Manager, and Merchandiser, finding joy in selecting themes and items that captivate customers.
The bustling Christmas season is Jymal’s favourite, blending new trends with traditional classics. She has been with Unger’s for eight years, transitioning from being a customer who loved the store’s delightful baking smells and wonderful service.
Previously in childcare, Jymal embraced the career change to follow her creative talents. Her advice? “Be open to new opportunities, follow your natural talents, and stay teachable.”
• ungers.ca
Carole Sceli
The Market at Western Fair District
The Market at Western Fair District not only offers exceptional products from more than 100 artisans and food producers, showcasing the best of London, it’s also a vital gathering place in Old East Village. As Carole Sceli, the market’s business development manager, explains, community groups have a space to interact with the public, artists are always welcome, and neighbours and friends can meet.
“It’s such a remarkable place,” says Carole, who has a background in marketing and publishing. “It’s really easy for me to tell everyone how great it is.”
“The dedication of the businesses to the community and to each other is unbelievable. And more than 80 per cent of the money generated at the market stays in London.”
“If you don’t get inspired here, your eyes are closed.”
• themarketwfd.com
