Let’s Eat: Perseverance Pays Off for ‘Best Friends Bakery’ in Manitouwadge

Edney and Liana received the keys to their new bakery and coffee shop in Manitouwadge on April 1^st, 2020. It seemed like an April Fool’s joke to be taking over a new business just as Covid was shutting down the world, but somehow, they made it work!

Originally from Brazil, the couple dreamed of a safe, prosperous country in which to start their family and in 2007 they made the move to Canada. It was tough in the beginning, having to jump through the hoops of immigration, but eventually their dreams came to fruition. They became Canadian citizens, had their first two children and bought a house in Manitouwadge in 2014.

Edney had worked in the food industry since his very first job at Pizza Hut in Brazil, and continued to follow his passion for cooking when he landed in Canada. Although Edney found a maintenance job at the High School and Liana worked as a receptionist, the desire to cook still lurked within, and when the bakery beside the school came up for sale, they went for it.

With the COVID restrictions, Edney and Liana had to dodge and parry, trying to get the new business off the ground. They offered car and limited pickup service and did their best to stay afloat. Fortunately, the people of Manitouwadge recognized their struggle and continued to patronize the business.

Today, Best Friends Bakery and Coffee shop is a bustling place to meet for coffee and delicious snacks. The bacon and pizza buns are a big hit with everyone, as are the cinnamon buns and other delightful pastries. They serve up two kinds of coffee; a Brazilian coffee, of course, but also a milder domestic brand. Loaves of bread, baked daily, are available to take home, and pizzas and cakes can be made to order.

These regular bakery items are wonderful, and although Edney understands that people like the standard fare, he likes to experiment with new items and foods from back home. He runs the occasional special, such as sushi, Portuguese Sweet Bread or a variety of scones, but finds that the traditional items are still the best sellers.

Edney and Liana are once again trying something new; breakfast! Each Saturday and Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and noon there will be a new breakfast special offered. Bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and toast one day, pancakes with strawberries the next. It will give Edney the chance to feed his need to create delicious food and show off his talents as a cook.

They are also big supporters of the community. They donate to the High School yearbook committee, provide lunches to the Catholic School at deep discount prices, and are providing a meal, consisting of a pizza or bacon bun, cookie and a drink at no charge to the kids who attend the Manitouwadge Public Library Summer programs.

“We want to take care of the children. If we take care of them now, they’ll take care of us later,” says Edney with a wry smile and a wink.

They are still struggling, however. Edney’s still the maintenance man at the school, and Liana will be returning to her administrative assistant job at the Manitouwadge Learning Centre in September. She’s been off for a while, after welcoming a new son to their family! They certainly have their hands full, but perseverance, passion and a love for food,  their family and their community keep them going strong!

For more information and to see what’s cooking, visit their Facebook page. You can visit Best Friends Bakery seven days a week; Monday to Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 6:00 to 9:00.  Bring your appetite!