Generosity

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Sticky fresh butter tarts made with real butter!!

The weather was damp and rainy, as was our moods for whatever reason... probably just a case of “the Mondays”. This time, to our surprise the Google search turned up a new spot: Tartistry. It was only 6 minutes away, however at first glance it looked like they only served butter tarts. Upon further investigation we found that their dedicated gluten free kitchen serves savoury tarts, soups, and espresso as well. Oh man did I need an espresso!

Now that I've got your gluten free attention, I want to tell you a story.

I set out to write this article about a butter tart shop, Tartistry. What I ended up with was a story about people who make a difference... and who also make butter tarts!

About a year ago Jenn and I were in West Toronto looking for a safe place to eat, as we've done, in that area, a dozen times.

...Then you can understand how it would feel to have someone tell you that... It hit me like a ton of bricks.

As we entered, the eclectic decor mixed with the intoxicating smell of baking pastries AND fresh ground coffee immediately brightened our day! The counter was adorned with butter tarts of all kinds: Chocolate Hazelnut, Lemon Curd, Blueberry, and much more. The young lady that took our order seemed just as sweet as the goodies she was doling out! I had the beef bourguignon tart and Jenn had a vegan mushroom tart.

WOW!

Between the atmosphere, the staff, and the amazing food, it really did make our day! Take that Monday!!

I just felt that there was something special about this place, so when it came time to write a feature article, they were at the top of my list.

I got to have a wonderful long conversation with Michele, the owner, and the woman behind the culinary excellence at Tartistry. I assumed we would talk about the regular stuff: the struggles of running a gluten free business, recipe development, products, and so on. And we did, but I soon learned that butter tarts are not the heart of this story... she is!

Let me explain.

Michele grew up learning to cook and bake as a little girl with her mother, Margaret, who I'm told was an excellent cook and baker, and largely the inspiration behind Tartistry. “I would mix the batter and cut the dough” she explains as she recalls fond memories of their special time together.

Because of this heartfelt connection to baking, Michele always had dreams of one day running her own bakery. A dream, like many of us have, that lies dormant in the back of our mind; nagging, poking, and prodding to get out. Well, about eleven years ago and 26 years into her professional career (not as a baker) Michele let hers out! She and her husband Stephen essentially quit their jobs, purchased a charming little Toronto property on the Queensway, and got to work creating the best damn tarts in town! (My words, not hers)

Not long after they opened, on a cold day in January, a woman wondered in, no doubt in search of something delectable. She and Michele got to talking as the women placed her order. During their conversation Michele learned that this warm, lovely lady had lost her 23-year-old son just two years earlier.

“Do you have children?” Michele asked me. “I do.” I replied. “Then you can understand how it would feel to have someone tell you that.” A lump formed in my throat just thinking, even for a brief moment, about dealing with the loss of a child.

“It hit me like a ton of bricks.” She continued, with passion in her voice, as she explained that one of her own sons was just about that age. The two became friends and stayed in touch. It wasn't long after Michele learned that this woman was also suffering from a serious kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis on a regular basis, but dialysis was a short-term solution. She needed a kidney.

Michele pondered the situation for about a minute. She knew what she had to do! She contacted the women to offer her one of her kidneys. Let me repeat that just in case you think your mis-read it: the owner of a pastry cafe offered a kidney to one of her customers!

As she reluctantly tells me this story, I can see how humble and sincere she is about the entire situation.

They found out that Michele, or rather her kidney, was a match! Now the real work begins. Michele spent about two years going through tests and monitoring of every kind to ensure a smooth transition.

Unfortunately, toward the end of this process, surgeons found a large stone in one of her kidneys. Michele underwent two procedures to break up and remove the stone. Both were unsuccessful. This led to the surgeons recommending Michele not continue with the transplant donation.

This news, especially after such a long road left her feeling “incredibly disappointed and sad.”

Thankfully it wasn't long before Michele received the news that her new friend had found another matching donor. Today the woman is happy and healthy with her new kidney!

While other businesses seem to struggle with staffing issues, the Tartistry team holds strong. “I've got the best team in the universe” she tells me, “We’re like family, in fact one of our staff currently lives with us.” Wait...what?

Yes, she and Stephen offered a job to a Ukrainian lady and took her in to be a part of their home, as well as their work family. “She's amazing, like the rest of our staff” she explains emphatically.

It's probably not a leap to assume that the strength of the Tartistry team is a direct result of the compassion and resilience portrayed by Michele and Stephen every day.

Their truly amazing tarts are what they sell at Tartistry. But the heart and soul poured into every aspect of their business, especially their relationships with their customers and team members are the real story here!

Today Tartistry is going strong with more and better products than ever! Constantly looking for a challenge, Michele and her team create new and delicious items often. They have just added lasagna, butter chicken pie and boneless pre-stuffed roasting chickens (which is very rare in the gluten free community) all to take home and enjoy!

Their tarts can also be found at several retailers like: Nature's Emporium, Goodness Me, the Big Carrot, and Pusateri’s to name a few. For a complete list, make sure to check out their website tartistry.ca.

Visit Tartistry

1252 The Queensway, Etobicoke

or check out the pop-up hut in

The Historic Distillery District.

55 Mill St, Toronto

IG @tartistry

tartistry.ca

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Written by Adam Heard

Adam is the head of Culinary Arts for the CDI and excels in creating delicious and healthy meals. Adam is currently the lead instructor for the gluten free chef training certificate program at the Canadian Dietary Initiative. With his extensive knowledge of culinary techniques and nutritional expertise, he creates delectable dishes that can satisfy every dietary restriction. Connect with Adam through Instagram. @adamh_official