About us

Family Bio

Our family story began with courage, sacrifice, and the hope for a better future. In 1975, as civil war broke out in Lebanon, a young immigrant couple, Hamad and Ruqaya Haymour, made the difficult decision to leave behind the place they knew and loved in search of safety, opportunity, and a new beginning. Their journey brought them to Edmonton, Alberta, where they reunited with relatives who helped them take their first steps in a new country. Starting from the ground up, they worked hard to build a life rooted in family, resilience and gratitude. With determination and faith in each other, they created a home, raised a family, and carried forward the traditions, flavours, and hospitality of their Lebanese heritage. Their story is one of perseverance of turning uncertainty into strength, and of building something meaningful for future generations.

Just 3 years after Hamad married Ruqaya and brought her to Canada, they opened their first major restaurant with Hamad's brothers in 1978 called “The Green Oasis” in the oil town of Drayton Valley, Alberta. They closed the business a few years later and moved to Edmonton where they would go on to have eleven children, making several attempts at opening a successful family restaurant, and after numerous trials and overcoming life's countless obstacles, many restaurants and many years later, they forged their way through and finally got their break with the opening of Castle Bake Restaurant in 2010 with their children and son in law.

Today, that legacy continues through their sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, as well as their many grandchildren. Most importantly, with the unwavering support and partnership of Hamad's brother in law, Yazan, who has been alongside Hamad and Ruqaya since 1976, they made Castle Bake become what it is today. With all if this support from family and friends, a strong foundation was laid for a place where guests are welcomed like family. Where every meal reflects care and tradition, and where the spirit of their journey lives on in every dish served. What began as a search for safety and belonging has grown into a family story of community, hard work, and the joy of sharing food with others.