Fair food showcases the diversity – and tenacity – of vendors

By Lethbridge Herald on August 22, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The diversity of Lethbridge is being showcased at Whoop-Up Days through a variety of food vendors, with some sharing not only their heritage through their cooking, but also a positive message of resilience. 

Deborah Gordon, director of client services with Lethbridge and District Exhibition, says Whoop-up Days attendees can expect to see a little bit of everything when it comes to food. 

“Everything is very hand-held, very mobile, and quick. Not a lot of salads going around, but definitely a lot of flavour.”

Mavel Bredas, with GMP Homemade Taste, said they offer authentic Filipino cuisine for those attending Whoop-Up Days and she is very thankful for the support from the community, as the food truck is run by her family and herself. 

“We are here from the Philippines looking for a better future for our family, for my five kids,” she says. “Back home I sold this type of food and additional dishes for me to expertise.”

Her family decided to invest in a food trailer in 2023 and by 2024 they were part of Whoop-Up Days, making a comeback this year after amazing support from the community. 

“The love of the people here from Lethbridge is really nice, we get overwhelmed by the support sometimes,” says Bredas. 

Many folks have tried Filipino food for the first time from her food truck and have expressed how much they liked it and continue to come back for more, she says. 

One of the menu items they are offering this year is chicken skins, because of the overwhelming number of people asking for it last year during the fair. 

“Our menu here is all up to our customers, all of them are our best sellers, and I am very proud about all the good feedback we have received,” says Bredas. 

Another popular menu item is spring rolls with a Filipino twist. 

Bredas sayst they almost didn’t make it into Whoop-Up Days this year, as their food truck was put on the waiting list. But she fought hard to get in, because of how important it is for her family. 

“It’s a big opportunity for us as a family. My kids support me selling, and my husband is the chef.”

This year for their “uniform,” they designed their shirts to have “Saved by Grace” on the back, as  their way of sharing why they are doing what they are doing. 

“Because without the grace of God, I am not here, I am not anywhere,” says Bredas. “So, I decided to share what I have, so the success of our business would be something for everyone to be inspired.”

She says it’s not easy to run a business, and even thought of giving up at one  point, but she kept going. Then she wanted to share the same message of resilience with others. 

“I talk to other food trucks and share that I almost gave up, but I didn’t. I will go one day at a time until I have my good health, and my family is okay also.”