An Artisan in Our Own Backyard – Mix the Bakery

Every time I drop by Mix the Bakery, I feel like we have a treasure in our own city.  Although I live across the city, I make a point of dropping by the Mix. Of all the great bakeries in Vancouver, the baguette from the Mix reminds me of the ones from France the most.  The baguette is crusty on the outside and moist & airy inside.  A tub of butter, a loaf of the Mix baguette, plus a glass or two of good wine equal BLISS.   

For all the years that I have been going to the Mix, I never met the baker.  So, I decided to meet the baker during my last visit and asked the staff.  “Rose is the co-owner and baker.  She is at the back”, the staff said as she gestured to the back.  I walked past the ladies of bakers at the back, the trays of resting dough, and the stacks of flour sacks.  I had to pause to take in the fragrance of baking permeating through the air.  The ladies said, “Keep walking.  More.  More.  Rose is in her office. Yes, to the left”.  I walked-in unexpectedly and met my local artisan baker hero.  The beauty of the baguette matches the beauty of the boulangère.

The Mix, in addition to the crusty Parisian baguettes, has a variety of breads, desserts, preserves, sandwiches and soups.  By the way, their preserves are essence of fruits.  And their coffees, made from the La Marzocco machine, are always perfect to my taste.  It is as though every single thing in the shop has been touched by the care and dedication of Rose and her staff.  The next time you want to catch an artisanal moment in our own city, I suggest the Mix.

As I walked out of the Mix, the spring passing rain had turned into a sunny afternoon.  And it is a Friday!  With a loaf of Rose’s bread in my arms, I reached to look at the business card that she had given me.  Her title says, ‘DOUGH GIRL’.