4 minute read
BREAD CULTURE
Vancouverites have been saying “merci” since Bread Culture, a French-inspired bakery, opened in August 2024. Owners Sunny and Thomas Park relocated it from Calgary, bringing their exquisite croissants, artisan breads, and pastries to Dunbar.
The couple is originally from South Korea; they arrived in Toronto in 2014 to study data analysis. While Sunny studied, Thomas worked part-time at a doughnut shop. He realized his love for baking and moved on to other bakeries to gain more experience. With Thomas’ encouragement, Sunny also pursued the profession. Although she did not have a background in baking, a French chef offered her an opportunity to work with him.
Sunny says, “He thought personal attitude was more valuable than experience. Thanks to him, I began to work as his apprentice. At the bakery, I met another French chef. From them, I learnt various techniques in French pastry baking.”
The couple visited many well-known bakeries in North America and South Korea. Sunny mentions that their vacations were like bakery tours. She estimates they visited over 100 bakeries where they tasted assorted breads and pastries and learned their preferences. They pursued more training in Korea and France and met more supportive mentors.
“We felt that every past work experience was connected and made a meaningful path. Due to our backgrounds in business management, marketing, and baking experiences, we might easily prepare for our own bakery.”
The original Bread Culture operated in Calgary for three years.
Their business was very successful, and it was hard for them to close it and move.
Sunny says, “We still love Calgary; we had so many great experiences and customers. We will never forget that time. Despite this, living there was tough. We had no friends or family to rely on. We felt it was time to pause our current life and make a change. We thought about Vancouver, a place we often visited during vacations, and decided to move here to start anew.”
Although they did not plan to open another bakery, they eventually realized it was what they loved most and decided to reopen their business. Thomas’ best friend lives in the area and recommended Dunbar. She felt the community needed a bakery like Bread Culture.
When we visited to conduct market research, we knew Dunbar was what we were looking for.
The baking duo and their staff take pride in their naturally leavened, hand-crafted, smallbatch bread. They provide customers with bread made daily from scratch without any additives.
Brioche contains a high percentage of butter and eggs, which significantly impacts the taste; therefore, only premium butter and free-range eggs are used. Likewise, quality butter is used for croissants.
Bread Culture sells a variety of breads, including traditional and savoury baguettes, an assortment of sourdough breads (traditional, seeded, walnut/cranberry and whole wheat), focaccia and bretzels (only on Sundays).
Our goal is to create pastries that look and taste good.
An assortment of tempting Viennoiserie is baked daily. You will find beautiful butter croissants, pain au chocolat, almond croissants, raspberry almond chocolate, apricot Danishes with custard cream, blueberry Danishes with almond cream, croque monsieur, triple cheese croissants and pain Suisse (tiramisu croissant).
They also sell brioche tarts, cinnamon twists, pistachio maritozzi and brioche loaf. Three types of sandwiches are served on baguettes. Choux stuffed with various fillings can be purchased individually or in a box of six.
Sunny says, “It makes us happy when we hear, "This bread tastes like it's from France," or "It's really delicious.”
“We see familiar faces every day. One couple comes in early every morning for scones and coffee, a young lady buys three baguettes once a week, and a gentleman regularly brings friends to have sandwiches, a pastry and coffee.”
A baker’s day involves long hours, and Sunny and Thomas often joke that it feels like living in the most delicious jail. They usually arrive at the shop before sunrise and leave well after sunset, rarely catching a glimpse of daylight.
“More than any money or fame, we want to create good memories for our customers. When someone recognizes our efforts and appreciates our intentions, it feels like a true reward for our hard work,” says Sunny.
Bread Culture
5525 Dunbar Street Vancouver, BC V6N 1W5
Phone 604-336-4288
Story by Sarah Gordon (Feb 2025) @PALLAMEDIA
