Syzl's Interview with DeliveryRank

Get an inside look at how Syzl is breaking barriers for food entrepreneurs in an exclusive interview with DeliveryRank.

Published:
Check out the full DeliveryRank blog post here: https://www.deliveryrank.com/blog/syzl-interview

Syzl's Interview with DeliveryRank

Azrah Manji-Savin is a co-founder of Syzl, a platform designed to support food entrepreneurs by providing access to professional kitchen spaces. Together with her partner Adrian, Azrah is committed to removing the barriers faced by chefs, emerging culinary talent, and gig economy workers who are looking to bring their food businesses to life. Through Syzl, they create meaningful opportunities for local entrepreneurs and community heroes to share their passion for food without the burden of high startup costs. DeliveryRank offers an exclusive interview.

Azrah, what inspired you to create a platform that connects food entrepreneurs with professional kitchen spaces, and how does this service address the challenges faced by emerging culinary businesses?

I am a second-generation immigrant; both of my parents came to Canada in the 1970s. Through them, my grandparents, and other members of our community, I witnessed firsthand how deeply food connects us to our origins and culture. This profound connection has fueled my passion for working with food entrepreneurs. My goal has always been to help them succeed—not only to preserve this vital cultural link within their communities but also to share it with the broader communities they are a part of.

Many culinary professionals face significant challenges in finding affordable, flexible kitchen spaces that truly meet their needs. This struggle inspired us to create a solution. We believe that no one should be held back by restrictive, costly leases or the financial burden of owning expensive facilities. By connecting food entrepreneurs with individuals who have taken that leap and might need additional income, we aim to eliminate these barriers.

Our mission is simple: to allow these entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best—creating food they love and are passionate about sharing.

How does Syzl support the unique needs of different types of food entrepreneurs, such as small-scale bakers, event caterers, and manufacturing operations?

We understand that different food businesses have unique needs, and our approach reflects that. For example, small-scale bakers often require spaces equipped with the right tools but without the heavy overhead costs. Caterers need flexible spaces that adapt to their schedules, while event caterers share similar requirements for adjusting to shifting timelines. Manufacturers, on the other hand, demand specialized spaces to meet their production needs and accommodate their equipment.

What we do is provide variety. We offer a platform where different types of kitchens can be listed, allowing users to focus on what truly matters to their business. This flexibility ensures that no matter the size, type, or stage of a food business, we can support them—from the initial idea all the way through growth. A cookie-cutter environment simply cannot address the diverse needs of food entrepreneurs, which is why we focus on offering a user-friendly, easily searchable system that caters to those differences.

Many systems fail because they try to be everything to everyone. A baker shouldn’t have to work in a space designed for manufacturing, just as a manufacturer doesn’t belong in a community bakery. Success comes from finding a space that works specifically for your business and learning from the people whose kitchens you’re renting. We’re here to make that process seamless and to support food entrepreneurs every step of the way.

Want to learn more about how Syzl is empowering food entrepreneurs? 🍽 Read the full interview on DeliveryRank - https://www.deliveryrank.com/blog/syzl-interview

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Frequently
Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about booking kitchen space.

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Who is Syzl for?

Syzl is for anybody who needs certified kitchen space.

Are you a home cook who needs a bigger kitchen for an event? Maybe you're a professional chef who needs a kitchen for recipe testing, or maybe you're a new food entrepreneur looking to expand your menu offerings but are worried about provincial regulations.

No matter who you are, we have you covered if you need a kitchen.

Do I need insurance?

Many Kitchen Hosts on Syzl require that Food Makers have (and provide proof of) $2-5 million in Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance to book and use their kitchen. Likewise, Syzl strongly recommends that you obtain insurance for yourself/your business so that you are protected in the event that you are found legally responsible for injuries caused to another person or damage to their property.

Syzl has partnered with Zensurance to recommend various types of insurance coverage specific to small businesses in the food industry. They have specialized experience with this category and will help you tailor a policy to work for your business.

How do I get paid for my kitchen?

Ready to accept bookings? Let’s ensure you are set up to receive compensation! Syzl partners with Stripe in order to complete secure payments.

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Set up your wallet

Before you start receiving payments, you need to set up your Wallet directly in the Syzl app. Please ensure you have a piece of ID on hand (i.e. passport, driver’s licence, or ID card)

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Here’s how:

  1. Sign in to the Syzl app and navigate to ‘Wallet’.
  2. Once you select ‘Wallet’, you’ll need to select ‘get a stripe account’.
  3. Enter your email and phone number. Stripe will use your phone number to send a verification code.
  4. Once you’ve entered your verification code, you’ll be prompted to enter your legal name, date of birth, and home address.
  5. After this, you’ll have to select which bank account you want to use to receive payouts.
  6. Enter your account details, including the transit number, institution number, and account number. Double check that the numbers are accurate before submitting.
  7. At this point you’ll be asked to verify your identification by uploading a piece of ID.

That’s it, you’ve set up your wallet and can start receiving payments!

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How much does it cost?

At Syzl, our mission is to provide affordable access to certified kitchens for Food Makers of all types, from professional chefs to new entrepreneurs and everyone in between!

Signing up and browsing our app is completely free! 💪 Here are the expenses you will incur when you find a kitchen you want to rent:

  • Hourly rates will vary by kitchen. Kitchen Hosts have the final say regarding what it costs to use their space. Kitchen Hosts are encouraged to set their rates to suit their individual business needs while considering what their kitchen offers to Food Makers regarding location, specialized equipment, availability, etc.
  • Sales tax will be calculated on the total and is visible on your receipt. We recommend contacting your accountant if you have questions about charging or paying sales tax for your business.
  • A Maker booking fee of 4% is also applicable to each booking. This fee is calculated on the amount before tax and is also visible on your receipt. Please get in touch with your business accountant to determine how your business might handle claiming this expense.

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Are the kitchens clean?

Cleaning up thoroughly after your booking is a great way to build good will with your host for future bookings

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Do I need to clean up when I'm done?

Definitely! It is your responsibility as a maker to leave the space the way you found it when you arrived.

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We add an additional hour to your booking (2 hours if your booking is 8+ hours), so you have enough time to thoroughly clean the space when you're done. We also allow, where available, an extension of time should you be running short at the end of your booking.

What happens if the space wasn’t clean when I arrived?

If the space was not clean when you arrived, please take pictures as evidence and forward them to our team so that we can get in touch with the host.

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