Rikki Cohen has always loved baking.
But while working at a local bakery, she was diagnosed with celiac disease.
“I had to quit my job due to the airborne flour making me sick,” Cohen says. “I left the industry for a couple of years and it was during this time that I began experimenting in the kitchen with my own flour blends.”
In 2018, she launched an online bakery that doubled as a vendor at the weekly farmer’s market held at Wychwood Barns. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the farmer’s markets were shuttered, and Cohen had to rethink her strategy.
“We were blown away by the support we got from the gluten-free community over the years and felt it was time to begin looking into opening our very own storefront to better serve our customers,” she says.
On June 3, Wild Blue Bakery will open to the public in the St. Clair West Village area. Offering an abundance of 100 per cent gluten-free items and featuring a grab-and-go style counter, Wild Blue Bakery’s menu includes a large selection of sweet treats and bread products including bagels, braided challah, faux rye bread, focaccia and pizza by the slice available each day. Rotating daily specials are served once a week. Custom celebration cakes and “cakesickles” are also available to order, and online orders are also available.
“The biggest misconception about gluten-free food is that it doesn’t taste good!” Cohen says. “Gluten-free food has come a long, long way and we are so proud to be part of this amazing community. I want everyone to be able to enjoy the foods they love with no hesitancy.”
A selection of flour mixes, pizza doughs and buns are also available for those who would like to try their hand at baking their own products, too.
As for must-try items?
“Our bagels are, and have always been, our number one seller, and our gooey cinnamon rolls are an absolute must-try; I’ll warn you though, you’ll be back for more!” Cohen says. All of the bagels are vegan except for the Jalapeno Cheddar. A selection of cookies, brownies and breads can also be made vegan upon request.
Along with sweet and savoury goodies, Wild Blue Bakery offers brewed Propeller coffee as well as their canned iced coffee, as well as a selection of teas from The Honest Leaf.
Wild Blue Bakery is located at 366 Oakwood Ave and is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
