In an unexpected location in Vaughan's industrial area, you will find a hidden gem unlike any other. Bartholomew Bakery Cafe is a bakery featuring handmade artisanal baked goods. With a distinct focus on bread, pastries and seasonal delights, the creators behind Bartholomew have only just begun to display their many talents.
Co-owners and chefs of Bartholomew Bakery, Anthony Lavorato (left) and Mike Sinikas (right).
Anthony Lavorato and Mike Sinikas, owners and chefs behind the bakery, always had the vision to open something together. After gaining a more robust culinary experience in European kitchens, both men stepped out of their comfort zone and began to explore the many different fields beyond cooking. Anthony began to learn the art of baking in Italy and Mike got experience working in a pastry shop in London. Upon returning home, it became clear that what the chefs wanted to do, was bring an authentic European cafe experience to Canada.
Established in 2018, Bartholomew was strictly a wholesale business selling to Toronto restaurants, hotels and cafes. At the start of the pandemic in 2020, the chefs changed their business model to a contactless delivery service. At first, the program started with only one item, sourdough bread. Customers would place their orders 48 hours in advance and the bread would be delivered all over the city. As the business expanded, pastries became included in the delivery service, which ultimately helped them reach their final destination.
After closing the wholesale and contactless delivery business, Lavorato and Sinikas officially opened the storefront for Bartholomew Bakery Cafe in September of 2021. “This was the final goal; it just had to transition through other businesses to get here. We always wanted a place for people to walk in; this is just how it worked for us,” says chef Lavorato. “We are trying to provide an experience, the quality of the products speak for themselves, but we want to showcase what we learned abroad about what a good culinary experience is and share that with our customers,” says chef Sinikas.
Bartholomew derives its name from the street in Newmarket where the inception of the sourdough levain occurred. Thus, bread making at the bakery is taken very seriously. The bread has a beautiful crunch to its outer layer while its inside texture is dense, bringing about a soft, airy bite. The sourdough options span from olive oil and herb, country white and multigrain, each baked fresh every day.
As you walk through the door, the aroma of freshly baked goods warmly invites you in. On any given day, eight different pastries are being served. The classics include the butter croissant, pain au chocolat and the twice-baked almond. However, three of the eight are filled with original flavours that rotate every two weeks. Lavender vanilla and espresso are just some of the creative flavours the bakery has used.
The mission at Bartholomew is to create handmade artisanal baked goods that are natural with quality ingredients. Given that the chefs come from savoury roots, they are extremely passionate about showcasing their cooking. A more recent menu item that allows them to do so is their pot pies. The pies are made fresh and are sold individually or family size designed to share. Serving different types, the pot pies can be purchased as either roasted garlic and white wine chicken, butter chicken or pulled pork.
"In 2022, we want to highlight our strengths as cooks and not just highlight our pastry and baking," says chef Lavorato. Bartholomew's philosophy has always been to introduce one thing at a time to see what works and what doesn't. "Before we start integrating too much, we want to make sure that everything we do now stays at the standards we aspire to have," says chef Sinikas. But Bartholomew's chefs are ready to introduce something new. The bakery will have a stand-alone freezer with frozen pot pies ready to go in the coming weeks. Akin to the prepared ones; individuals can choose from the different inside fillings and sizes. Packaged with straightforward baking instructions, customers can come to grab a meal that is healthy, delicious and made with love.
The chefs are taking things slow and have only just begun to showcase their capabilities. Located at 14-467 Edgeley Boulevard in Vaughan, Ontario, Bartholomew is open Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday - Friday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. until they sell out and Sundays 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. The friendly staff and buttery air invite you in for delights and coffee to go.
