Victoria Vaccher outside her new Beach bakery (Image: Yves Freypons)
About this time of year, the Beach starts to wake up from its winter slumber, which makes it a great time for Victoria Vaccher to launch her new vegan bakery café, Tori’s Bakeshop. Vaccher became a vegan seven years ago, but it wasn’t until last year that the concept of an eat-in vegan café and bakery occurred to her (previously, she’d had aspirations of a career on Broadway). When she took over the space, there were paint marks from miniature hands all over the primary-coloured walls (it was previously The Art Garage). Almost eight months later, the space looks like something designed by Martha Stewart’s Anthropologie-loving niece. We dropped by to check it out.
The grey and off-white room is brought to life with Queen Anne’s lace wallpaper, celadon green accents, Mason jar chandeliers and lights made from industrial whisks (Vaccher’s dad, an electrician, made them for her). Reclaimed stained glass windows separate the bakery from the café, encouraging patrons to peek behind the scenes (there’s even a triplet of bar stools by the bakery windows). They also allow those curious about vegan baking to uncover some of the mysteries of how to, say, pull off a convincing cinnamon bun ($4.50) without dairy or eggs. The gluten-free “cheddar” and chive biscuits ($4) have quickly amassed a following—indeed, one Beach resident stopped by twice in a single day to buy out the entire stock. “I’m not even sure he knew they were vegan!” Vaccher tells us. Another favourite: her cookies ’n’ cream cupcake ($3), whose swirl of decadent icing is accented with half of an Oreo, followed up with a surprise Oreo at the base of the cupcake.
Right now, Tori’s Bakeshop is offering a selection of healthy baked goods—scones, muffins, biscuits, banana bread, cupcakes, doughnuts, homemade vegan “Oh Henry!” chocolate bars (all $2–$4)—as well as espresso-based beverages made from freshly roasted beans provided by the Merchants of Green Coffee (Vaccher’s custom is a mix of Guatemalan and Ethiopian beans). As summer approaches, Vaccher plans to expand her offerings to include soups, sandwiches, cashew-based ice creams and fruit sorbets.
125178 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop25.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop25/ mar12torisbakeshop25 0 0
125177 (Image: Yves Freypons) Cookies ’n’ cream cupcake ($3) and chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting ($3) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop24.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop24/ mar12torisbakeshop24 0 0
Cookies ’n’ cream cupcake ($3) and chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting ($3)
125176 (Image: Yves Freypons) Gluten-free “cheddar” and chive biscuit ($4) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop23.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop23/ mar12torisbakeshop23 0 0
Gluten-free “cheddar” and chive biscuit ($4)
125174 (Image: Yves Freypons) The dairy- and egg-free cinnamon rolls, freshly iced ($4.50) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop21.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop21/ mar12torisbakeshop21 0 0
The dairy- and egg-free cinnamon rolls, freshly iced ($4.50)
125173 (Image: Yves Freypons) The cinnamon rolls, just out of the oven Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop20/ mar12torisbakeshop20 0 0
The cinnamon rolls, just out of the oven
125179 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop26-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop26.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop26/ mar12torisbakeshop26 0 0
125172 (Image: Yves Freypons) Vaccher has hired two bakers and three front-of-house staff Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop19/ mar12torisbakeshop19 0 0
Vaccher has hired two bakers and three front-of-house staff
125171 (Image: Yves Freypons) Leaded glass separates the bakery from the café Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop18/ mar12torisbakeshop18 0 0
Leaded glass separates the bakery from the café
125170 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop17/ mar12torisbakeshop17 0 0
125169 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop16/ mar12torisbakeshop16 0 0
125167 (Image: Yves Freypons) The wallpaper has a Queen Anne’s lace pattern Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop14.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop14/ mar12torisbakeshop14 0 0
The wallpaper has a Queen Anne’s lace pattern
125166 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop13.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop13/ mar12torisbakeshop13 0 0
125165 (Image: Yves Freypons) The fresh flowers come from the neighbouring florist, Ellyn Lilly Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop12.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop12/ mar12torisbakeshop12 0 0
The fresh flowers come from the neighbouring florist, Ellyn Lilly
125164 (Image: Yves Freypons) Vaccher got this Mason jar chandelier off Etsy Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop11.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop11/ mar12torisbakeshop11 0 0
Vaccher got this Mason jar chandelier off Etsy
125163 (Image: Yves Freypons) The giant whisk light fixtures were made by Vaccher’s father Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop10.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop10/ mar12torisbakeshop10 0 0
The giant whisk light fixtures were made by Vaccher’s father
125162 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop9.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop9/ mar12torisbakeshop9 0 0
125161 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop8.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop8/ mar12torisbakeshop8 0 0
125160 (Image: Yves Freypons) Vaccher got the Eames chairs from Design Republic Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop7.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop7/ mar12torisbakeshop7 0 0
Vaccher got the Eames chairs from Design Republic
125159 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop6/ mar12torisbakeshop6 0 0
125158 (Image: Yves Freypons) Vaccher stained the reclaimed wood tabletops herself Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop5/ mar12torisbakeshop5 0 0
Vaccher stained the reclaimed wood tabletops herself
125186 (Image: Yves Freypons) Dairy- and egg-free cinnamon rolls Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop4c-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop4c.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop4c.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop4c/ mar12torisbakeshop4c 0 0
Dairy- and egg-free cinnamon rolls
125147 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop4/ mar12torisbakeshop4 0 0
125146 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop3/ mar12torisbakeshop3 0 0
125141 (Image: Yves Freypons) Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop1/ mar12torisbakeshop1 0 0
125143 (Image: Yves Freypons) Vaccher, 26, is a graduate of Ryerson’s theatre production program Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop2.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop2/ mar12torisbakeshop2 0 0
Vaccher, 26, is a graduate of Ryerson’s theatre production program
125139 (Image: Yves Freypons) Victoria Vaccher outside her new Beach bakery Introducing: Tori’s Bakeshop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12TorisBakeshop_intro.jpg 656 420 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-toris-bakeshop/slide/mar12torisbakeshop_intro/ mar12torisbakeshop_intro 0 0
Victoria Vaccher outside her new Beach bakery
Tori’s Bakeshop, 2188 Queen St. E., 647-350-6500, torisbakeshop.ca
The above are perfect desserts for my meatless burger and Decaf Soy Frapuccino.. thx!!!
What a lovely business…congratulations…I wish we had some NEW classy shops of this type in The Church St. Village. We have the fabulous Loblaws but individual, high style shops are important to our Village.
I have been anxiously waiting for this bakeshop to open. I have been calling there all week, left numerous messages which have not been returned. Frustrating!
Heather: the shop is open now, at least.
Definitely awesome… I went there on the opening and had to focus very hard on not consuming everything I ordered immediately. Super sweet little cafe – can’t wait to walk off the beach and see what it’s like in the summer!
I’m not vegan, but I’ve had the cookies ‘n’ cream cupcake- it is by far the best cup cake i’ve ever tasted! I was amazed. I had no idea vegan and gluten free food could taste this good, consider me a convert. I would eat there every day if I could.
Hi Heather,
So sorry we been having issues with our phone service and they have now been resolved. Please call back and leave you number or email me at info@torisbakeshop.ca. I will get back to you right away.
Sorry for any inconvenience. Hope to talk to you soon!
SO STOKED!!!
Everything looks so delicious.
Sorry but for the strict vegans, how is a cupcake embillished with an Oreo cookie vegan? I’m sure it’s VERY yummy though and can’t wait to visit the bakery. Thanks :)
Oreos are in fact vegan. Yep. No animal products, just synthetic chemicals :)
I’ve been here twice and had the cheddar/chive biscuit and cupcakes (Oreo, vanilla)…everything was so delicious!! Also happy to see that they offer non-soy, non-dairy options for coffee. And my companions couldn’t stop raving about the lemon poppyseed cake. It made the travel across town well worth it…any plans on opening a west end location, please?!