Hi, I’m Chirine, the founder of Little Explorers Studio, a space born from my lifelong love of nature, culture, and the simple joys of childhood.

I grew up in Lebanon right after the civil war, part of a generation that experienced a time of peace and hope as the country was rebuilding and rising again. It was a period that gave us a beautiful childhood filled with curiosity, simplicity, and connection to nature, tradition, and family.

It all started at home, where my mom made sure from day one to provide the best food for her family. Like many mothers in Lebanon, her way of showing love was through food, but she was also deeply health-conscious. Deliveries and fast food were forbidden, and even the beloved fries were a rare treat. She cooked using traditional recipes passed down from her own mother and ensured that every meal was homemade, healthy, and full of care. Even on days when she couldn’t cook, she would ask someone she trusted to prepare food for us, making sure no day went by without a wholesome, home-cooked meal.

Since we lived in the city and didn’t have easy access to fresh local produce, she built connections with farmers and small producers to source seasonal fruits, vegetables, and “mouneh” for the year, always from people she trusted. Eating healthy and seasonal wasn’t a trend for us, it was simply our way of life.

Every weekend, my parents would take us to different regions of Lebanon, from mountains to coastlines, and from one community to another, each with its own traditions and identity. I was always fascinated by its beauty, its traditions, and its diversity, and these became a part of who I am.

At 18, I wasn’t sure which path to take, but I eventually graduated in Food Science and Management from the American University of Beirut, which introduced me to the fascinating world of food.

At 25, I discovered an inspiring master’s program at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy, and was accepted. I moved there to pursue a Master’s in Food Culture and Communication, which sparked my curiosity about how what we eat connects to who we are.

It was a turning point in my life, not only because I had the chance to live in bella Italia, but because it deepened my love for food culture, traditions, and nature. I became more rooted in my Lebanese identity while also becoming more open to other cultures.

During that time, I learned the importance of awareness, of reading ingredient labels, questioning food systems, and understanding where our food truly comes from. I began to realize that many so-called “health” claims were shaped more by politics and economics than by genuine care for people’s well-being.

After ten years working in the education sector with NGOs and later moving to Canada, something in me was calling for a new direction, one that would bring together my education, my work experience, and everything I love and believe in. I wanted to create something that reconnects children with traditions, health, nature, and creativity in a hands-on, simple, and joyful way.

It was during a moment of nostalgia, thinking of the Lebanon of my childhood and the little traditions that shaped me, that the idea for Color Lebanon was born. A way to celebrate my culture through children’s eyes and share it with the world.

That is how Little Explorers Studio was born, a reflection of everything I have learned, loved, and lived, and a way to pass that spirit on to a new generation.