Tanya Muller, Owner of Le Gateau Bakeshop, shared her journey in a recent interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, revealing how her lifelong passion for baking has been the driving force behind her business. Inspired by watching her mother bake from the Joy of Cooking cookbook, Tanya pursued a career in pastry arts, refining her skills through travel and learning diverse techniques. When she founded Le Gateau Bakeshop in 2010, her vision was to blend artistry and flavor in every creation. Recently, Tanya was awarded the Made by Women Grant from DoorDash, which she plans to use to expand her facility and create a dedicated space for culinary classes and community events. This grant not only validates her hard work but also empowers her to give back to the community by nurturing the next generation of pastry chefs and entrepreneurs.
From a young age, Tanya’s fascination with baking was ignited by her mom’s creations from the Joy of Cooking, like Baked Alaska and Floating Island. The allure of the artistry and the joy of savoring homemade treats captivated her. At 18, Tanya enrolled in baking school, discovering a true passion for pastry arts that has fueled her journey ever since. Traveling the globe to learn from top instructors, she absorbed diverse techniques. In 2010, Le Gateau Bakeshop emerged as the culmination of her experiences, aiming to craft stunning, delectable cakes.
What inspired you to start Le Gateau Bakeshop, and how has your passion for baking shaped the business into what it is today?
From a young age, I was captivated by the art of baking, watching my mom
create desserts from the Joy of Cooking cookbook. Seeing something
delicious and beautiful take shape from simple ingredients inspired me
to pursue a career in pastry arts. My passion for baking led me to
travel, learning diverse techniques and honing my craft. When I founded
Le Gateau Bakeshop in 2010, my vision was to create a bakery where
artistry and flavour come together. This passion has shaped our business
into what it is today—a place where each cake is, crafted with love and
attention to detail.
Can you share how the Made by Women Grant from DoorDash will directly impact your business and help you achieve your goals?
The Made by Women Grant from DoorDash is a game-changer for us. With
this grant, we plan to renovate our facility to create a dedicated space
for hosting classes and community events. This new space will allow us
to offer workshops, culinary classes, and mentorship programs, which
have always been part of our long-term vision. The grant will enable us
to make these plans a reality, helping us to grow our business while
also giving back to our community by providing valuable educational
opportunities.
What does receiving this grant mean to you as a female business owner, and how do you see it contributing to your mission of empowering the next generation of pastry chefs and entrepreneurs?
Receiving this grant is incredibly meaningful to me as a female business
owner. It’s a validation of the hard work, dedication, and passion that
have gone into building Le Gateau Bakeshop. More importantly, it allows
me to empowering the next generation of pastry chefs and entrepreneurs.
With this grant, I can create more opportunities for aspiring bakers to
learn and grow, providing them with the skills and confidence they need
to succeed in this industry.
If you could give one piece of advice to a woman looking to open a small business in the culinary industry, what would it be?
My advice to any woman looking to start a small business in the culinary
industry is to trust in your vision and don’t be afraid to take risks.
The culinary world is competitive, and it’s easy to doubt yourself and
feel impostor syndrome. Remember that your unique perspective and
creativity are your greatest assets. Surround yourself with mentors and
peers who believe in you. Be prepared to work hard, stay persistent, and
continuously learn. The journey is challenging, but the rewards of
seeing your vision come to life make it all worthwhile.
How do you plan to use the grant funding to expand your facility and create a dedicated space for hosting classes and community events? What impact do you hope this will have on your community?
We plan to use the grant funding to renovate and expand our facility to
include a multipurpose space specifically designed for hosting classes
and community events. This space will be equipped for hands-on
workshops, culinary classes, and community gatherings. Our goal is to
make this space a hub for learning and connection, where people of all
ages can come together to share in the joy of baking and culinary arts.
We hope that by offering these programs, we can inspire and empower our
community, providing opportunities for personal growth, skill
development, and creative expression.
