When Gourmet World in the South End went up for sale in 2016, the Scherzinger family toyed with the idea of purchasing it.
At the time, Peter and Sue Scherzinger were working full time. But then they gave the idea a second chance. Their daughter, a pastry chef, was finishing her maternity leave and looking for somewhere to showcase her talents.
With that in mind, the family became the third official owners of Gourmet World. The store has always had an exceptional selection of European goods for people who miss the tastes of overseas.
Those longing for Germany can admire the collection of mustards, fish, pasta, jams and coffee. Families of Finnish descent come for the candy, chocolates and crackers. A British section has now been added with round, flaky eccles cakes, a selection of shortbread and Hobnobs biscuits. There are also sauces and spreads like mustards, mint sauce and Marmite. Canned goods like original Branston pickles are also up for grabs.
“There are so many unique items from Europe that you cannot get anywhere around town. Customers say it feels like they are walking into Germany,” says Sue Scherzinger whose family is of German heritage.
The baking section was created to compliment the work of their daughter, Jasmine Bissonnette, the executive pastry chef. Her recipes and desserts are all her own and made from scratch. She uses royal icing for her cookies and elaborate designs for wedding and birthday cakes.
Right now the store is all a-buzz for Halloween with ghost and goblin cookies, do-it-yourself cookie decorating kits with sprinkles and icing, and a very scary raspberry pie.
Bissonnette makes 20-30 cakes per week.
“The quality is very obvious — these are made with love for love,” she said.
She has since employed two other bakers to keep up with the demands of preparation and filling orders. Hot items are the caramel cakes, flaky cream puffs, cookies and French macarons.
The meringue cookies flavoured with lemon, bubble gum, ’smores and peppermint also keep people coming back for more.
“I love the creative freedom that comes with having your own place,”Bissonnette said. “I have been able to expand my skills and techniques in baking, pastry and cake art. It is such a creative outlet to flourish as an artist.”
She’s hoping to one day offer decorating and baking classes as there is a keen customer interest.
She says November brings Elf On The Shelf personalized cookies with children’s names. There are also Santa cakes and cookie trays to come.
Dessert aside, many seniors come for the savoury, fresh lunches. The seating is still quite limited with COVID-19, but the soup of the day is always flavourful. Soups range from chicken dumpling to red pepper, beef barley to potato dill and butternut squash. Everyday sandwiches are also well-loved, including the Reuben.
Bissonnette added she loves that her family is all in it together. Mom is there daily. Dad swings by when he wants and her brother and sister-in-law run the deli counter.
Gourmet World
1984 Regent Street in the Cedar Point Plaza
Hours of operation
Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Learn more or place an order at GourmetWorld.ca. Join the Gourmet World community on their Facebook page.
Anastasia Rioux is a freelance writer in Greater Sudbury.
