Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co., a new Kensington bakery backed by The Spotted Pig’s April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman
Good morning, breakfast foccacia. We love you. (Image: Jackie Pal)
Name: Blackbird Baking Co.
Contact Info: 172 Baldwin St., Toronto., 416.708.3475, blackbirdbakingco.com , @bbirdco
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
Owner: Simon Blackwell, David Castellan & Cynthia Leung (of SOMA) and April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman (of The Spotted Pig)
Baker: Simon Blackwell
The Food: Crusty multigrains, wild-yeasted sourdough baguettes, and airy focaccias like the Morrocan – a perfectly stretched and dimpled dough dusted with za’atar, black cumin and crunchy sea salt. Simon Blackwell, owner and head baker follows traditional techniques, like hand-mixing all of the starters, kneading the dough by hand and relying on the intuitive touch of the “bakers hands” to know when the dough has reached its perfect fermentation. Other offerings include, daily sandwiches like the ham and cheese squeezed between chewy foccacia and mini breakfast foccacias topped with cheese, herbs and a freshly cracked egg in the middle, which is then finished in the stone oven. Soon to arrive are the Pizzete’s – small Italian pizzas. Chocolate hazelnut cakes, a selection of sweet or savory scones and sticky buns are available daily for the pastry-inclined customer.
The Drinks: San Pellegrino sparkling fruit beverages and water.
The Place: Wanting to restore the retail space to its original, pre-Cobs charm, Simon and his team stripped the walls to reveal red bricks and intricate flaws from former businesses, like original tenant Lottman’s Bakery. A wood and iron shelf displays boules, batards and baguettes in vintage stoneware and wine crates, along with a variety of grains from CIPM above, while the opposite wall offers other local artisan products like honey. Light floods into the intimate space thanks to floor to ceiling windows and double glass doors are left open, allowing the smell of freshly baked bread to waft across Baldwin St.
The Numbers:
• 400 sourdough loaves baked everyday
• 240 °C, the set temperature of the stone oven for baking all of the sourdoughs
• 1:00am, arrival of the first bakers to mix the baguette dough and turn ovens on
•11 hours, the average daily work hours of a baker
• 2 collaboration breads with breweries, including using Bellwoods Brewery’s spent grain
• 1:00pm, the time Blackbird sold out of bread on opening day
• 3 years, the time Simon’s sourdough starter has been fermenting
272316 <strong>Blackbird Baking Co.</strong>, has taken over <strong>Cob</strong>’s former retail space on August Ave in Kensignton Market (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1_Exterior_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1_Exterior_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1_Exterior_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":11,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398262456,"focal_length":"24","iso":"250","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/1_exterior_blackbird/ 1_exterior_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272317 A customer contemplates what bread he should pluck from the beautifully arranged bread wall (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2_InteriorA_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2_InteriorA_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2_InteriorA_Blackbird.jpg 624 936 {"aperture":4,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398264035,"focal_length":"18","iso":"320","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/2_interiora_blackbird/ 2_interiora_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272318 Customers can buy a 2.5 kg bag of any of the CIPM grains used in Blackbird’s breads (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/3_InteriorB_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/3_InteriorB_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/3_InteriorB_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398261055,"focal_length":"50","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/3_interiorb_blackbird/ 3_interiorb_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272319 Spelt sourdough boule ($5.50) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/4_SpeltSourdough_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/4_SpeltSourdough_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/4_SpeltSourdough_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398261359,"focal_length":"50","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/4_speltsourdough_blackbird/ 4_speltsourdough_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272320 A choice of multigrain or regular sourdough baguette (multigrain $4.50, sourdough $4) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/5_Baguettes_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/5_Baguettes_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/5_Baguettes_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398261072,"focal_length":"50","iso":"500","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/5_baguettes_blackbird/ 5_baguettes_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272321 Ricotta, artichoke, pecorino and arugula sandwich with an herb mayo ($7) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/6_ArtichokeSandwich_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/6_ArtichokeSandwich_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/6_ArtichokeSandwich_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":6.3,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398259895,"focal_length":"50","iso":"125","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/6_artichokesandwich_blackbird/ 6_artichokesandwich_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272322 Ham and mozzarella sandwich with a horseradish mustard ($5.50) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/7_HamSandwich_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/7_HamSandwich_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/7_HamSandwich_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398260231,"focal_length":"50","iso":"125","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/7_hamsandwich_blackbird/ 7_hamsandwich_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272323 Speck, roasted red peppers, mozzarella and arugula sandwich with an herb mayo ($7) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/8_SpeckSandwich_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/8_SpeckSandwich_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/8_SpeckSandwich_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398260281,"focal_length":"50","iso":"160","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/8_specksandwich_blackbird/ 8_specksandwich_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272324 The breakfast foccacia, with cheese, a whole cracked egg and herbs ($4) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/9_BreakfastFoc_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/9_BreakfastFoc_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/9_BreakfastFoc_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398260627,"focal_length":"50","iso":"160","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/9_breakfastfoc_blackbird/ 9_breakfastfoc_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272325 Moroccan flat bread ($4.50) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/10_Moroccan_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/10_Moroccan_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/10_Moroccan_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398261208,"focal_length":"50","iso":"250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/10_moroccan_blackbird/ 10_moroccan_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272326 Pecorino Pizza Bianca ($5) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/11_Pecorino_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/11_Pecorino_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/11_Pecorino_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398261184,"focal_length":"50","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/11_pecorino_blackbird/ 11_pecorino_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272327 Lemon Polenta Almond Cakes ($3) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/12_AlmondCakes_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/12_AlmondCakes_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/12_AlmondCakes_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398261597,"focal_length":"50","iso":"1000","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/12_almondcakes_blackbird/ 12_almondcakes_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272328 Chocolate Hazelnut Buckwheat Cakes ($4) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/13_HazelnutCakes_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/13_HazelnutCakes_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/13_HazelnutCakes_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398261589,"focal_length":"50","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/13_hazelnutcakes_blackbird/ 13_hazelnutcakes_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272330 Baker <strong>Brenan Clarke</strong> demonstrates the stretch and fold technique (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/15_StretchandFold_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/15_StretchandFold_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/15_StretchandFold_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":1.4,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398261870,"focal_length":"50","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.003125"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/15_stretchandfold_blackbird/ 15_stretchandfold_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
272331 Owner <strong>Simon Blackwell</strong> shows off the scoring technique to The Kensington White ($4) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: Blackbird Baking Co. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/16_Batard_Blackbird-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/16_Batard_Blackbird.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/16_Batard_Blackbird.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Eric Wang","camera":"Canon EOS 60D","created_timestamp":1398262108,"focal_length":"50","iso":"250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-blackbird-baking-co-new-kensington-bakery-sandwich-stop/slide/16_batard_blackbird/ 16_batard_blackbird 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)