This week’s Meet a Mom is Catherine Hu, a New Canaan mother of two teenage girls and the founder of Mama Hu’s Sushi Bakes. After relocating from Pennsylvania for a job at Pepperidge Farm, she fell in love with New Canaan. Hu started doing sushi bakes during the pandemic, before officially launching the business in 2022. Learn more about “Mama Hu,” her passion for food, and find out what her family loves about living in the area.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
Two girls, 16 and 18. One boy dog, 5.
What brought you and your family to town?
When we moved from Hershey, Pennsylvania, to the area for my new job as Global Brand Director of Goldfish at Pepperidge Farm, we were looking for family-friendly towns like Hershey. We are proud to settle in New Canaan for the excellent schools, which is very important for Asian families who value education, the lush greenery, and strong community.
What’s your favorite aspect about being part of the community?
Our community is lively and uplifting. Whether you’re passionate about sports, arts, or reading, you’ll find others engaging in them with great dedication. A positive vibe flows through every corner of the town—from the library and YMCA to the parks and bustling downtown streets. No matter where you go, warm smiles will welcome you.
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the area?
Hiking! When the kids were younger, we love hiking in Waveny Park, Irwin Park, and Nature Center—the boardwalk leading to the watch tower is amazing. Now that they are teenagers, we ventured out Devil’s Den, Mianus River Park, Ward Pound Ridge, Giant Stairs Palisades, and Breakneck. So many options are within about an hour’s drive.
You are the founder of Mama Hu’s, a locally owned sushi bake company that specializes in wholesome foods. Can you tell us more about your journey to launch?
In my career, everything I worked on are things I can put into my mouth, from Jim Beam, Hershey, Campbell Soup to Highliner, the largest public traded seafood company in North America. I just really have a passion for food. My two girls want to eat sushi everyday if they can! It was during the pandemic, and we couldn’t go out to restaurants or supermarkets to buy everything fresh. I was googling and saw that Sushi Bakes are really trendy! I took inspiration from classic recipes and opted to use Wild Alaska Seafood and organic ingredients as much as I could. My neighbor came up with the brand name Mama Hu’s; my artist friend drew me the logo.
We launched in May 2022 at the New Canaan Farmers Market, and it was a hit! I was pumped by the support from my family, friends and neighbors. We expanded to nine Farmers Markets last year. Most importantly, I got the support from the beloved neighborhood stores, especially Walter Stewart’s and Village Market, our first two stores. Today, we are in eight premier local stores. Our recent listing in Park Slope Food Coop in Brooklyn, one of the oldest and largest coops in America, opened us to regional distribution with our new distributor. We were selected as one of the five finalists to pitch at the Big Food Connecticut Event on March 1 at Yale. These days, I am focusing on getting more people to try our sushi bakes. So people who love sushi don’t have to go out every time. Just bake or microwave, you can Savor Sushi Rolls in a wholesome new way, anytime anywhere!
Your sushi bakes are now available in store – how exciting! Can you tell us where we can find your products?
We are in the freezers in the beloved neighborhood stores in the area, including Walter Stewart’s, Palmer’s, Nature’s Temptations, Village Market, Sport Hill Farms, Stone Garden and Bronxville Natural. We are also in Farmers Markets including New Canaan, Trumbull, Ridgefield and a few river towns.
You also offer delivery services – how can someone be in touch to order?
You can email me at [email protected], text me at 603-828-4180, or Instagram DM me @mamahus.sushibake
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
My mom always says, “Sheng Ming Zai Yu YunDong” (Life depends on exercise). I was born in a sports family, and we have two sporty girls. My elder daughter was recruited to do hurdles at WashU in St Louis for the track & field team; my younger one is the No. 1 seed for New Canaan’s varsity tennis team, and they won the State Championship last season. Keep up the exercise; we will be happy!
Any words of wisdom?
The oriental diet culture believes warm food is better for you, to counter potential “cold” imbalances in the body. In the “Yin” and “Yang” balance culture, hot foods are associated with “yang” energy, which is considered to promote vitality and warmth, while our body tends to be “cold.” While we inevitably eat more cold foods in America, especially in the summer, I try to cook and serve most meals warm.
Anything to add?
We were selected as one of the five finalists to pitch at The Big Connecticut Food Event, the premier small business competition for $25k on March 1. Wish me luck!
We love supporting local businesses. Favorite places in town or nearby to…
Have dinner with/without kids: Hashi Sushi in New Canaan or Kumo, KiKu, Sushi XII in Stamford… yep, all Japanese. My husband and I love cooking; we tend to cook and entertain at home most of the time.
Spend time together as a family indoors/outdoors: Dave & Buster’s, Hiking, Pickle Ball Court
Shop for yourself/shop for your kids: Downtown New Canaan, SoNo Collection
Any hidden treasures or other favorites?
Grace Farms is a gem in our town!
A NOTE FROM MAMA HU:
Love sushi but short on time? Try Mama Hu’s Sushi Bakes!
Hi there,
If you’re like me—a busy mom with kids who want sushi rolls every day, or just a sushi lover yourself—you’ll understand why I created Mama Hu’s Sushi Bakes. It’s the world’s first retail-ready sushi bake, bringing an innovative twist to frozen meals.
No more rolling or rushing out to your favorite sushi spot! Sushi Bakes, recently featured by the New York Times, are like deconstructed sushi rolls served casserole-style. With Mama Hu’s, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of sushi rolls in just 30 minutes in the oven or 5 minutes in the microwave.
Inspired by the classic recipes, we use the finest ingredients that moms will put into their family meals, such a wild Alaska Salmon, surimi made with Wild Alaska Pollock, organic avocado, and organic tofu. All our sushi bakes are gluten-free, nutritionally balanced, and even come in vegan flavors!
We have three popular flavors at store: Spicy Salmon, Classic California Roll and Teriyaki Tofu & Broccoli. We also have Veggie Roll and Shrimp Roll when Farmers Markets are in season.
Just bake, spoon up or scoop into nori seaweed sheets, and enjoy sushi roll kind of meals at home anytime.
Warmly,
Mama Hu
[email protected]
Phone (603)828-4180
Website: http://www.mamahus.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamahus.sushibake/