Little Sister Baking slowly rose to fame this year when they started recreating modern South Asian desserts and baked goods. With their online popularity and collaborations with other Toronto businesses, the two sisters Tanvi Swar and Akash Swar, decided to open a permanent spot at Market 707.
With their new location launching in early September, you will find their iconic pastries such as their Rasmalai Cakes, Chai Buns and hot items like tandoori chicken sandwiches or pakoras (spiced vegetable fritters).
Tanvi Swar is a marketing professional who manages the business side of things and Akash is a Le Cordon Bleu educated pastry chef. They initially started the online bakery during the pandemic, when the two of them were missing the flavours of home and wanted to bring comfort to their family and friends.
Their concept quickly caught on and after successfully selling to their inner circle, the two expanding their offerings via Instagram. Since opening to the public in January 2021, they were working on a pre-order format, creating their treats in a rented commercial kitchen.
Tanvi shared, "We are kind of confined to things that travel well like puffs and buns and cakes and bars. We have ideas for sandwiches, choux pastries, drinks, snacks, small bites, fried snacks and sweets and more that are difficult to sell as delivery. It's also difficult to switch in new items and try things out in a rented kitchen that we don't always have access to".
This uncertainty prompted the sisters to think about opening a larger scale location which will help them reach a broader audience through the foot traffic on Dundas Street.
Tanvi and Akash were cooking out of the commercial kitchen at Scadding Court Community Centre and one day just decided to ask if they had any open shipping containers at Market 707 (which is run by the SCCC) and it turned out they had one opening in September. What was great for the sisters, Market 707 prioritizes independent BIPOC business owners and since they had been using their kitchen and had already connected with other vendors in the community, it was the perfect spot for Little Sister Baking.
They are hoping to open in September with a small launch party with some friends and family. They also plan to give away plenty of free stuff like drinks and even their famous buns and cakes.
They will be takeout only but Market 707 has set up patio tables and picnic tables to enjoy Little Sister Baking treats on site. Masala Chai will always be available at their permanent location -- cold in the summer and hot in the winter.
There will be lots more vegan items (something people have been asking them a lot about), especially with their drinks; they will serve a vegan chai made with oat milk. You can expect halal meat for all of their items and exciting seasonal items incorporating fall flavours. Something unique to look out for will be their ideas for Diwali sweets that will be super fun for Diwali parties.
They are currently selling Ras Malai cakes to help fund their permanent location with delivery to Brampton, Mississauga, North York and Toronto. To hear more about their new location and rotating menu, follow them on Instagram.
