About Us
Our delicious cookies and pies were inspired by my childhood memories. The memory of my mother's apricot jam pie-cake, which we used to eat while it was still warm, at the afternoon coffee break, recreates the same emotion of anticipation and delight, to this day.
I grew up in Algeria, in a large family of eleven children, living above my father's bakery and pastry shop. Gathering around the table was always a time for sharing, exchanging while tasting fabulous food. It was always truly delicious.
The bakery was my favorite playground, my amusement park! The slide, used to deliver the big bags of flour, at the back store, was my shortcut to the bakers' lab and the boutique. However, I arrived covered in flour, much to my mother’s dismay.
The shelves under the countertops in the laboratory allowed me to rummage through the cake molds and spatulas, trying to imagine all the pies and cakes I could make. The bakery windows were filled with wonderful delights: breads, pastries and cookies, from Algerian, French and Middle Eastern traditions.
My fascination for the work of the artisan bakers and pastry chefs, and my passion for making desserts for my family and friends have always combined to create moments of great happiness and sharing.
Later, when I moved to Montreal, the exposure to so many other beautiful cultures and diverse culinary traditions fuelled my curiosity and my sweet tooth. I started to try new spices, maple syrup, different flours, teas, flowers,... adding a new twist to my recipes. It was wonderful when I discovered how my mother's «cake to slice », with its hints of citrus and orange blossom, adapted to the addition of all-spice, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg, which are traditionally used to make gingerbread cookies at Christmas time in North America. Similar to biscotti, but baked just once and served soft and warm, it is a sumptuous treat with café au lait.
In my teaching career, I have incorporated cooking and baking workshops in the extracurricular activities of my students. My desire has always been to recreate my childhood memories, and to allow the children to experience the wonder of the baking process. We started by sharing the way we used different ingredients in our family recipes, we mixed ingredients, rolled out the dough, and then impatiently watched the oven door, from which emanated the delicious smell of the breads or cookies… and then the always heartwarming happiness of seeing the children’s wonderful smiles of delight when tasting their own creations.
Gathering around the table to share a warm bread, ending a meal with a delicious pie, or reaching out for our favourite cookie in the cookie jar are memorable moments, that we share and carry in our hearts. It is our privilege to recreate these moments for you with our collection of cookies, pies, breads and brioches, that we have prepared for you with love and care, to be enjoyed throughout the seasons with your loved ones.
With appreciation and love,
Hassina