When Muzinie Beitullaieva immigrated to Canada from Turkey in 2016, she came with a PhD in linguistics and a dream of becoming an academic.

“But I got pregnant and all my plans changed,” says the 36-year-old.

Nearly a decade later, she and her husband have moved from Toronto to Ottawa, which she describes as more affordable and quieter, a good place to settle down. She has two daughters now, plus a business in Kanata called Taksim Sweets & Bakes. Opened in January, the Hazeldean Road strip-mall shop takes its name from Taksim Square, a major tourist district in the heart of Istanbul.

Dolama, a large, baked-to-order phyllo-pastry and pistachio dessert topped with ice cream from Taksim restaurant in Kanata. Photo by JEAN LEVAC / POSTMEDIA

“Baking, making, and preparing food is a ho

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