LeGOURMAND GM Claire Lane shows some of her delicious baked goods. Photos by Tom Godfrey.
It has been a long journey for Mimico’s Teo Nunes, whose Le Gourmand Bakery is opening its fourth store and restaurant in New Toronto.
Nunes was born in Angola and moved to Mimico with his family from Portugal in 1988.
He got into baking when his son Milton passed away of cancer, at the age of 47, after starting the first successful Le Gourmand Bakery in 2002 at 152 Spadina Ave.
Le GOURMAND BAKERY’s Claire with owner Teo Nunes in front of busy store.
Milton had studied in France and was a qualified and well-regarded pastry chef.
“It was a successful business and I expanded it to South Etobicoke,” Nunes admits. “We live in the area and all the staff is from the area.”
Nunes added a busy customer-friendly location at 2897 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and another brand new eat- in location to open soon at 2910 Lake Shore Blvd. W. just two doors away in New Toronto.
The new location is bright, new and has room for about 15 tables. It contains a huge kitchen.
In addition, a Humber location, directly across from Humber College, was added at 3180 Lake Shore Blvd. W., in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Ave. area.
“We love the area and were well-received in the neighbourhood,” Nunes says. “Residents will love our new sit-down restaurant.”
Le GOURMAND’s famed baked goods.
He is motivated by helping his late son Milton expand his booming business and eventually he hopes to franchise the operation.
Every March 3 all the proceeds of the bakery go to help the Hospital for Sick Children, a cause that was dear to Milton’s heart.
The family also gifted 15 per cent of the company to a pastry chef who started out with Milton and helped grow the bakery after he lost his battle with cancer.
“We proudly serve hand-made artisanal baked goods and world famous cookies in the Lake Shore Village neighborhood of Toronto,” Nunes says. “We are a family bakery dedicated to producing the highest quality fresh pastries paired with friendly service and great coffee.”
For Nunes and his wife, the business is a labour of love to Milton.
He knows the names of most of his 60 employees and they operate as a family.
Claire Lane, general manager of a New Toronto location, said residents love their freshly baked home-made cookies, cakes, tarts, brownies and ice creams, which are delicious.
“All our items are baked here fresh daily,” Lane insists. “We use the best ingredients and people love it.”
She says the staff “couldn’t ask for a better boss” in Nunes.
Le Gourmand Bakery can be reached at 416-252-2127 or visit legourmandbakery.com