What is your business called and what does it do?

Organic Bytes is the go-to sweet escape, where you can enjoy guilt-free, refined-sugar-free, organic, nourishing, and aesthetically pleasing cakes. The Organic Bytes mission is simple. To demonstrate that baked goods can not only be made from healthy, organic, and nutrient-dense ingredients but they can also be delicious and beautiful.

What made you want to do this work?

We started Organic Bytes during COVID with a deep love for whole foods and a deep yearning for non-guilty CAKE options. Having wellness infused in all aspects of our lives, we realized the mainstream markets are now catching on to our demand for more unprocessed, whole food options – however we simply could not find an aesthetically pleasing cake that checked all the boxes for health & flavour! So our joy for baking, design, and making people feel AMAZING inside & out organically led to, well, Organic Bytes!

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

We wanted to offer a convenient platform, where people are able to order nourishing, gluten-free, vegan options that were not just subbed with artificial sweeteners or starches to make them Gluten Free, etc. Before Organic Bytes, cakes were either aesthetically pleasing (luxe-looking) or they were healthy and not presentable. What also matters and is of the utmost importance for us, is taking the time to create something beautiful to be shared with our customers that means the most to us during both their everyday and on special occasions. Taking care of our bodies has become the number one priority especially during the COVID times, ensuring our bodies’ immune systems are functioning optimally and we help in that as we ensure our customers are only eating organic, nutrient-dense, wholesome ingredients. Our goal is to provide a healthy mind in a healthy body.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our clientele range from toddlers to elderly people who would like to consume nourishing and beautiful cakes for their special or everyday occasions. So many of our current customers are young families with toddlers who prefer natural sweeteners (like coconut sugar or dates) and healthy flours (like almond or coconut flours) for their kids and families. We also cater to individuals with specific diet restrictions such as gluten-free, vegan, nut-free or more. Overall, our brand is reaching out to people and spreading the knowledge that wholesome cakes are possible, and they can feel great after eating their cakes as well.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

We have an e-commerce platform. We’ve made our ordering system very convenient; customers order through our e-commerce shop (www.shoporganicbytes.com) in as little as two days in advance, moving past the order weeks in advance and dragging traditional cake ordering processes. They select their preferred delivery date and time and their cakes get delivered to them accordingly.

Where in Toronto can we find your profession?

We are currently serving Toronto (GTA) and Calgary through our e-commerce platform.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

What makes you different from other Gluten Free, Dairy Free cake options available?

Simplicity and nutrition are the cornerstones of everything we do, so all our cakes are made with the highest quality, 100% organic ingredients. We pride ourselves on not cutting any corners – we choose the best suppliers; we ensure every single ingredient is holistically good for you and your health (both mental and physical) and you understand each one of the ingredients.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part about what we do is hearing the feedback from our customers letting us know how this is the best cake they’ve had and they are so happy to have a healthier cake option now. We are so happy that we are part of their everyday or special celebrations. There really hasn’t been the worst part for us on this new journey thus far, it’s just more of the entrepreneur’s life of juggling everything and making sure you are always 100% in whatever you’re doing at that moment.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

Life can be a little bit frosty, but really it is what you bake it.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Toronto business that you love?

Another Toronto-based Business that we absolutely adore is Coco Market in Summer Hill. They help so many women-owned businesses in the city and we are so aligned with their mission of offering wholesome, healthier options to traditional snacks, food products, home goods and wellness essentials!

The post Homegrown Business: Yasaman and Samira Haj-Shafiei, founders of Organic Bytes appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

We spoke with the founder of Unbun, Gus Klemos, to find out more about his company.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Unbun Foods is an unconventional Toronto based, certified keto, paleo, plant-based grain-free & gluten-free bakery company. The mission is simple: to give people that follow low-carb, paleo gluten-free, grain-free and plant-based diets the option to still enjoy their favourite restaurants, chains, fast food and meals at home without compromising taste or quality of dining experience.

What made you want to do this work?

I wanted to be able to eat the foods I enjoy – especially sandwiches and burgers – without the gluten, and empty carbs associated with buns made from processed white flour. And when I searched for gluten-free options, I found that they were essentially the equivalent of sugar, preservatives, and chemical binders/gums. This problem in the market motivated me to develop Unbun.

What problem does this solve?

Thanks to Unbun, the growing percentage of keto, paleo & gluten-free diners now have a way to enjoy their favourite foods without compromising their lifestyle resolutions or exposing themselves to ingredients they’re intolerant to.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our products are for anyone looking to enjoy low carb, grain-free, gluten-free, plant-based, keto and paleo products. Whether you have a dietary restriction, follow a keto lifestyle or just want to uncarb your lunch, Unbun products are for everyone. We look forward to bringing our products to even more Canadians as we continue to expand our distribution with restaurant partners and grocery chains.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

Unbun works closely to provide consumers with deliciously uncompromising products. Canadians in all provinces can enjoy Unbun products whether it’s at their closest grocery retailer, or leading restaurants such as Pizza Pizza and Mr. Sub. To find the nearest Unbun retailer to you, visit: https://unbunfoods.com/pages/where-to-buy

Where in Toronto can we find your profession/products?

Unbun is proud to partner with foodservice leaders including Pizza Pizza, Mr. Sub, Firkin Pubs and Burger’s Priest as well as some of Toronto’s favourite restaurants like Planta Burger, Gusto 101 and Kupfert and Kim. Torontonians can enjoy Unbun products at these restaurant partners, and they can purchase our range of Keto Buns, Mini Baguettes and Vegan products at grocers and health food stores across the city.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

The best question a prospective customer could ask is ‘What makes Unbun different from other gluten-free products on the market?’ The answer: Unbun represents gluten-free 2.0, our products are free from sugar, preservatives, and the binders/gums present in many other gluten-free products on the market.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part is when a customer shares how much being able to enjoy their favourite food again means to them. The worst part? Not being able to keep up with demand!

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

We make a lot of bun puns!

What do you currently have in the mix? Events? Promos?

Unbun has partnered with Pizza Pizza to offer a Keto Uncrust at more than 420 Pizza Pizza locations across the country. We’re excited to be partnering with Pizza Pizza to help provide Canadians with more choices that meet their dietary needs and preferences. In the coming weeks, we will also be launching two new products: tortillas and sliced bread. Expect to hear more from Unbun over the course of 2020.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Toronto business that you love?

I am a huge fan of Burger’s Priest – not only do they have great burgers (and keto buns), they were one of our very first restaurant partners! My go-to order is a plain hamburger on a keto bun.

For more information on Unbun Foods, please visit their website.

The post Homegrown Business: Unbun Foods, not your average bun appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Spring is in the air, the sun is in full bloom, and Toronto’s Almond Butterfly has spread its wings and is more alive then ever. Located at 100 Harbord Street, it’s been almost a year since Melody and David opened up their gluten-free bakeshop and espresso bar.

When my roommate told me about this new spot, the name rang like Christmas morning in my head. Almond Butterfly. How elegant.

The combination of almonds (an ultimate paleo snack staple) and the butterfly pull-up (a fitness technique that is practiced within the CrossFit community); the name in itself is a mandate of what Melody and David stand for – health. And with priority to taste, the quality of their food is something that they are accredited for.

I took a hike down Spadina and met the courteous couple that hooked me up with some of the best vegan confections that I’ve tasted in the city. Three cupcakes, two chocolate chip cookies, a date square and two coconut clusters that were packed with dried fruit and nuts – I washed it all down with an almond milk latte and rolled myself home with absolutely no regret.

Melody, who has been gluten-intolerant for a decade, started baking paleo treats for her CrossFit friends in Montreal. Passionate about conditioning the body through exercise and food, she mastered the art of baking without gluten, refined sugars and dairy, and won over the hearts and stomachs of her peers. Her clientele grew, and after three-years of baking out of her home, she made her dreams of owning a café a reality by moving to Toronto and opening a storefront.

“People assume that being gluten-intolerant is a consequence,” said David. “But actually, baking with naturally gluten-free ingredients, like coconut and almond flour for example, not only add nutrition to what we make, but it tastes better compared to all-purpose flours.” I couldn’t agree more. Rich and packed with flavour, their menu options, from custom made wedding cakes to sandwiches, set the bar high for vegan, vegetarian and paleo food in Toronto. Take it from me, seriously.

Every seat in the comfortably set café was occupied, but its bustle seemed non-existent, as the relaxing space felt like a home. Almond Butterfly Gluten Free Bakery is a wonderful spot to window-gaze, and the heavenly food, coffee and good people will put any pressures of the overloaded city to rest.

The post Almond Butterfly a Gluten Free Bakery and Espresso Bar appeared first on Toronto Guardian.