Local flavours: Canada's Season 8 bakers share their favourite hometown bakeries
From coast to coast, discover the best spots to grab baked goods.
Canada's best amateur bakers deserve a special treat too. We asked our Season 8 bakers to share their all-time favourite bakeries from their hometowns.
Calgary, Alberta
Erica Schell: In Calgary, my go-to bakery is Butter Block. They make only laminated doughs, they have the best almond croissant.
Rita Vathje: Lina's Italian Supermarket, what makes it great is that I'm usually meeting a friend(s)/cousin for coffee. Lemon tart or almond croissant.
Jonquière, Quebec
Guillaume Boivin: Boulangerie Emond, L'artisan boulanger. The buns, the breads, the ficelle, the focaccias are amazing and you know the man knows his dough like his own children (probably even more).
Ottawa, Ontario
Réjean Mayer: When I moved to Ottawa to go to University, I fell in love with the Rideau Bakery. It was an old bakery that smelled of butter, sugar, melted chocolate and desperation.
The owner was incredibly nice and he had worked there for most of his life. The ambience was something out of a movie: Styrofoam wedding cakes that had turned yellow from time and smoke, birthday cakes with old-fashioned plastic dolls whose faces were painted on sideways; and, of course, an array of "fresh" pastries that looked more like deflated bicycle tires. The 'imperfection' felt like perfection to me.
New Brunswick
Christine Campbell: I have two!
McPhee's Bakery in Quispamsis, New Brunswick. Their donuts are AMAZING! Huge and stuffed full of scrumptious filling — they are worth every calorie.
The second is in my new home of Moncton, Tony's Bistro and Patisserie. I haven't had a bad meal or baked good there ever. I've told them many times that their croissants, tarts and desserts are better than what I had in Paris.
Edmonton, Alberta
Elora Khanom: Duchess!!! My favourite thing is brioche pepin. So good 😊
Alliston, Ontario
Pamela Kramer Estol: My favourite hometown bakery is Murphy's Farm Market in Alliston, Ontario. Not only is it super charming, but I drive by it every day on my way to and from work. It's always a struggle not to stop and buy all the pecan butter tarts! The pumpkin and cream cheese whoopie pies are a must-try in the fall.
Victoria, BC
Jen Childs: There are exceptional bakeries in Victoria, but my local Fry's Bakery does the most beautiful wood-fired sourdough creations. The almond croissant or "breakfast in bed" Danish are my favourite!
Vancouver, BC
Marcus Tam: The best bakery in my hometown would be Thomas Haas. What makes it so great is the variety of cakes and tarts that they make. They have their staples but always make new items during different seasons. They also make a lot of tempered chocolate figurines and art pieces that change depending on the upcoming holiday/season. I love their Manjari chocolate cake. It is rich and bitter but has a balanced sweetness. I'd recommend it to anyone visiting Vancouver.
Toronto, Ontario
Fatima (Patty) Ruggiero: Roselle in Toronto for their Banana Cream Pie Eclair. When I lived in Burlington, I would travel to Toronto for them. Beautiful craqueline on top, caramelized bananas, airy choux, whipped white chocolate ganache and vanilla pastry cream. It is perfect.
Watch The Great Canadian Baking Show on CBC Gem.
