Papa’s Kitchen: Success Story 2025
At Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, we proudly celebrate Papa’s Kitchen, a certified woman-owned salad dressing company founded by Christina Kalfaian. With a deep-rooted passion for food, family, and quality ingredients, Christina transformed a beloved family tradition into a thriving business, bringing handcrafted, gluten-free dressings to tables across Michigan and beyond.
From Family Tradition to Business Innovation
Growing up in a family that valued great food, Christina was inspired by her father, Jimmy Papadopoulos, a seasoned restaurateur whose signature dressings were a staple at his restaurant. Crafted with the finest ingredients and perfected over the years, these dressings captured the hearts—and taste buds—of customers.
Recognizing an opportunity to share these cherished recipes beyond the restaurant, Christina launched Papa’s Kitchen in 2021. Her mission was clear: to bring fresh, gluten-free, high-quality salad dressings to market while honoring her family’s legacy.
Today, Papa’s Kitchen proudly offers four signature dressings:
Pink Greek Dressing – A customer favorite!
Creamy Dill Dressing – Smooth, flavorful, and versatile.
Fresh Herb Vinaigrette – A fresh, zesty addition to any dish.
Harvest Dressing – A taste of the season in every bite.
Green Goddess Dressing – Makes all others green with envy
A WEpitch Finalist and Advocate for Entrepreneurs
Christina’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication led her to compete as a WEpitch finalist at the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council Annual Business Conference in September. This prestigious competition provided her with a platform to share her journey, gain valuable insights, and connect with a powerful network of women business owners. With the support of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, Christina transitioned from working in her business to working on her business. This shift gave her a clearer vision for the future.
“I’m grateful to the faculty, advisors, and my cohort for inspiring me to think bigger, know my worth, and expand my impact on the community.” – Christina Kalfaian
Where to Find Papa’s Kitchen Dressings
Papa’s Kitchen dressings are now available at over 400 retail locations, including:
Meijer
Busch’s Fresh Food Market
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
Johnny Pomodoro’s Fresh Market
Shop online: https://papas-kitchen.com/
As Christina continues to expand Papa’s Kitchen, she remains committed to quality, tradition, and uplifting fellow female entrepreneurs. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and staying true to one’s roots.
We celebrate Christina Kalfaian for turning a family recipe into a growing business and inspiring future generations of women entrepreneurs.
Christina Kalfaian, CEO
248-854-1021
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Watch Christina’s Video: https://youtu.be/UKM6uetq4mM?si=6LzVziIxOIsTI8TL
“Making the ordinary, extraordinary.” – Papa’s Kitchen LLC
