Tuesday, June 9 2026, a fantastic evening of conversation and connection took place at The Commons as part of our Small Food Business Meetup series.

Panel Speakers & Businesses:
• Thomas Haas – Founder & Owner, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie

• Mary Mackay – Co-owner, Terra Breads

• Thea Mercer – Co-owner & Head Pastry Chef, Sweet Thea Bakery (co-owned with her husband, Laurie Mercer)

• Vinaya Waghmode – Owner & Pastry Chef, Elaichi Patisserie – Graduate of École Ducasse and founder of Vancouver’s acclaimed Indian-French patisserie

• Meeru Dhalwala – Co-founder, Vij’s Restaurant and Co-founder & Co-owner, Lila Restaurant

The discussion explored the full journey of entrepreneurship—from the spark of an idea through the highs, lows, and everything in between. With roughly 25 attendees, the room was lively, candid, and filled with valuable insights.

Some of the key takeaways included:

Building a team is often one of the biggest surprises and challenges.

Understanding numbers, margins, and financial management is essential.

Passion is non-negotiable—you truly have to love what you do.

Every owner sacrifices something along the way, making a strong support system invaluable.

Running a business means you’re “always on,” requiring resilience and adaptability.

Success looks different for everyone, and taking time to recognize your own achievements is just as important as chasing the next goal.

Restaurant closures, while incredibly difficult, can become valuable learning experiences.

Sharing recipes or intellectual property is never as simple as it seems—every chef brings different techniques, teams, and environments that make each creation unique.

The discussion concluded with an engaging Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from some of Vancouver’s most respected hospitality leaders.

A huge thank you to our panelists for their openness, honesty, and willingness to share both the successes and the difficult moments of their entrepreneurial journeys. Their generosity created meaningful conversations that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of pastry professionals.

Thank you as well to everyone who joined us—we loved seeing such an engaged group of approximately 25 attendees, and we’re already looking forward to welcoming everyone back for our next Pastry Meet Up!