Husband and wife Supreet Arora and Raman Gill, both successful insurance brokers, always imagined opening up a cafe when they retired. They quickly realized during Covid and staying at home that instead of waiting to start their passion, they should start now.
Caked Coffee carries a variety of baked items cupcakes, cookies, banana bread, cinnamon buns, croissants and a few gluten-free items such as brownies, cookies and little chocolate cakes. On the savoury side, you will find individual pizzas, cold cut sandwiches and Indian style tikki sandwiches. Both Arora and Gill get up in the early hours of the morning, around 3 a.m. to 4 a.m., everyday to make everything fresh.
Cooking is passion for Arora, especially since he was in elementary school. He loved watching baking shows and learning from his family's recipes. Some generational recipes from his grandma and aunt are their energy balls called Pinnia (pronounced pin-ee-ya). It's a classic Punjabi dish eaten mostly in the winter and known to help people build strength and energy. Typically it is served as a dessert and is made from desi ghee, wheat flour, jaggery and almonds. The duo shared starting Caked Coffee was about finding excitement in their lives again and wanting to show their nine-month old daughter what hard work, persistence, patience and having faith means as she grows up.
The two are also very passionate about veganism, and have been vegan for about 10 years. It only took one documentary to change their lives, they said. Love for animals and living on the cleanest and healthiest diet is one of the most important things for them.
"The bakery gives us eight hours a day and hundreds of opportunities to put smiles on people's faces. Serving them a cupcake and a latte for living is a dream job," says Arora.
Currently, Caked Coffee is working on making a huge patio in their bakery's backyard. They plan to make it one of a kind. They're also working on being on every single delivery app in the city to allow people to order from home very soon.
Find them at 1651 Bloor Street West in Toronto near High Park. The shop is open Tuesday through to Sunday from 10 a.m. 6 p.m.
