A Day in the Life of Bakers at Bartholomew Bakery in Vaughan

Running a bakery is a labor of love that begins long before sunrise. At Bartholomew, our day starts in the early hours of the morning when everyone else is still dreaming. Let’s take you through a typical day in our bustling bakery.

5:00 AM: The Early Start

Our bakers arrive at 5:00 AM sharp, greeted by the warmth of pre-heated ovens and the sight of chilled sourdough retarding in the fridge. Proofed pastries are ready for the ovens, waiting to be transformed into golden perfection.

6:00 AM: The Team Gathers

By 6:00 AM, the rest of the baking team begins to trickle in. The moment they step into the bakery, they dive straight into filling and garnishing the pastries, preparing for the day's customers. It’s a flurry of activity, with one baker dedicated to laminating doughs, creating those perfect layers in our croissants and other laminated pastries.

7:30 AM: Getting ready to Open

We prepare to open our doors as the clock ticks towards 8:00 AM. A line of customers often forms outside our doors by now, all eager to get their hands on our freshly baked pastries and freshly brewed coffee.

8:00 AM: Our doors open

Our doors open as we start serving customers. Front house staff are busy serving customers with smiles and baristas are also busy brewing coffee drinks that go perfectly with our pasties.

8:00 - 11:00 AM: Shaping Perfection

From 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, our bakers are busy cutting, rolling, and shaping croissants in the back. Each croissant is crafted with care, ensuring that it will bake up with the perfect flaky texture that our customers love.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Prepping for Tomorrow

As the morning rush dies down, we switch gears to prepare for the next day. Doughs are mixed, and creams are made fresh to ensure the highest quality for our pastries. Everything we do is aimed at maintaining the high standards our customers expect.

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM: Break Time

Even the hardest workers need a break. From 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM, the team takes a well-deserved rest to recharge and enjoy a meal together. It’s a brief but necessary pause before we get back to work.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Finishing Touches

The afternoon is dedicated to finishing any remaining mise en place. This can include anything from preparing fillings to organizing ingredients for the next day. It’s all about ensuring that everything is in place and ready to go.

3:00 PM: Closing Up

By 3:00 PM, it’s time to close up shop. We vacuum, deep clean, and set ourselves up for the following morning. It’s a thorough process, as cleanliness is just as important as the quality of our baked goods.

Running a bakery is demanding but incredibly rewarding. From the early morning starts to the meticulous preparation, every step is crucial in delivering the best pastries to our customers. We take pride in our craft and the joy it brings to those who visit our bakery. Make sure to visit us in Vaughan and see why we receive such great praise from our customers.

FAQs

1. What time do the bakers start their day at Bartholomew? Our bakers start their day at 5:00 AM to ensure everything is ready for the morning rush.

2. How do you ensure the quality of your pastries? We mix our dough and make our fillings fresh daily to maintain the highest quality.

3. When do you open your doors to customers? We open our doors at 8 AM during the weekdays and 9 AM during the weekends, just in time for the morning crowd.

4. What happens during the afternoon at Bartholomew? In the afternoon, we finish any remaining preparation tasks and ensure everything is ready for the next day.

5. How important is cleanliness at Bartholomew? The cleanliness of our facility is extremely important to us. We deep clean the bakery every day to maintain a hygienic environment. 

Anthony Lavorato