Let's talk bread - how many varieties do you carry?
We carry anywhere between 60 and 70 varieties, depending on the store.
What does "baked in-store" mean?
It means the products are actually baked in our store. We also have parbaked products, which means the item isn't 100% baked and requires some time at the store level to refresh so that it's at its best when fully baked by us for you.
Which loaves are your bestsellers?
Some of top-selling breads include our Mountain Grain Bread, Dutch Crunch Bread, white baguettes, Belgian Loaf, Winnipeg-Style Rye and our ever-popular in-store-prepared garlic bread.
Which loaves are your favourites and what do you like to make with them?
This depends on the kind of meal I'm eating, but my favourite loaf would be the French-style bread. I enjoy making different cheese breads to complement the meal I'm having, which might mean turning a loaf into a garlic, pesto or Tex-Mex cheese-enhanced bread to serve with my meal.
How do I store bread so that it's got more at-home shelf life than a day or two?
The rule for storing bread at home is to keep the bread sealed in a bag, away from air and out of the fridge or freezer; the latter two dry bread out more quickly.
Tell us about your artisan-style breads?
Our artisan-style breads use 100% Canadian flour, are free from preservatives and artificial flavours. Our selection includes Tuscan Sourdough, Flax Seed Rye, Belgian Loaf, Prairie Harvest Multigrain, and San Francisco Sourdough Round. They're some of our most popular breads in the Bakery Dept.
What makes your New York-style bagels so special?
Our New York-style bagels are made with Canadian flour using a long natural fermentation process.
Many of your stores offer customized cakes and decorating. What makes this program special?
We give our customers the ability to customize their cake their way with a choice of fillings, decorations, finishes, DecoPac images, and icings, including buttercream, whipped topping, fresh fruit, and real whipped cream. Choose your size, colours, theme, and message and we’ll have the cake ready for you in as little as 24 hours from the time of your order. These are perfect for a special birthday, anniversary and graduation—any celebration, really—or just because!
How do I order a celebration cake?
To get exactly what you want, we suggest you order in person at our Bakery Dept. counter. You can also order via telephone; we offer various celebration cake images and information to help make your selection easier.
Any ultimate tips for warming bread so it tastes almost bakery fresh?
Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F) and place a pizza stone on the oven rack (if you don't have a pizza stone, use a baking sheet). Spray the loaf with water to add moisture to the crust. Place the loaf on the pizza stone and heat for 6 to 8 min. Enjoy!
What are your favourite ways to enjoy leftover bread?
I like to use any of our artisan or crusty breads to make French toast, bread pudding, or homemade breadcrumbs for a number of dishes.
Do you bake your own pastries in-store, too?
Yes, we bake cinnamon buns and a variety of cookies, croissants, strudels, and tarts in-store.
You're often delighting customers with Limited Time Only seasonal treats, like the Nestlé dessert range you're carrying. What's next?
Customers loved our Coffee Crisp® range of desserts. We’ll be showcasing our next seasonal flavour—KitKat® cakes, croissants, Danishes, mini cheesecakes, and cake slices—soon! We also offer seasonal treats like Halloween monster cakes, Halloween-themed cake slices, winter-themed cakes, and cupcakes.
Do you carry gluten-free products?
Yes, we carry gluten-free bread, rolls, bagels, cookies, and brownies for our customers to enjoy.
What are some of the Bakery Dept.'s most popular treats?
Our most popular treats include our patisserie selection, celebration cakes, and topped cheesecakes.
For the fall and winter holidays, many people like to bring pie to family gatherings. What pie flavours do you offer at this time of year?
Here's the good news: We offer pies all year long in a variety of flavours, including the classics you've come to know and love.