In the latest of our series of articles about gluten free bakeries in BC, Board Member Julie Clement reached out to Jaide and Joel’s Baking Company in Kelowna to learn more about them
Surprisingly, neither of the owners had a background in baking or business. Both Jaide and Joel jumped around from job to job out of high school. Jaide has worked as an administrator and a banquet captain, Joel worked in a research lab.
Jaide and Joel first met when they were fourteen years old and have been together as a couple ever since. In 2018, Jaide was recovering from her second serious concussion, and it was Joel’s first year after dropping out of university. Neither of them knew for sure what they wanted as a career yet and were feeling a bit lost. Joel, knowing both he and Jaide needed to find their passion again, suggested trying their hand at doing some gluten-free baking for their local farmer’s market. Jaide, enthusiastic about the idea, suggested that it also be vegan to match their lifestyle as both Jaide and Joel are gluten-free and vegan. In April of 2018 they went to their first farmer’s market. From there, the business exploded. They continued doing different farmers markets around the Okanagan and partnered up with several different local businesses to offer their products wholesale. Two years later in 2020, they opened their own 100% vegan and gluten-free bakery/café.
Only Joel is actually celiac, but many of the employees are gluten intolerant. Joel was diagnosed when he was ten years old, so he is knowledgeable about Celiac Disease. Both he and Jaide keep up to date on different products and information surrounding it. They have meetings with their employees to ensure that everyone is informed and understands the seriousness of Celiac Disease.
Their facility is dedicated gluten-free and vegan. The location is at 101-555 Montgomery Road in Kelowna, BC. The bakery supplies products to about 10 different retailers throughout the Okanagan, you can find a full list on their bakery website https://jaideandjoelsbakingco.com/
The bakery is best known for the cake donuts. They are what started out as the most popular and have held the mantel for three years as the top seller. The bread and bagels are a close second. Jaide and Joel’s personal favorites are the brownies, bread, and cupcakes, but they really want to say everything!
Jaide and Joel have faced - and overcome - many challenges. A big part of those challenges is their age. Being twenty-two, people see
Them in a certain way, don’t take them seriously and some would try to take advantage of them because of it. Being their first time opening a retail location, there were many things they did not know and weren’t prepared for: contracts, lawyers, venting issues, permits, licenses, equipment, etc. All of which had to be learned extremely fast. They had to be smart, decisive, critical, and confident. There was more personal growth in one year than there had been in five. They both learned what they're truly capable of and are proud of it.
The first location for the bakery was opened in October 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, and that came with its own set of challenges. Before the pandemic, because of the age of not only Jaide and Joel, but the business as well, there was no chance of getting approved for a loan. When the government announced several different loan opportunities, it was easier to qualify and get approved, that was a real silver lining. Since then, there have been many new health orders put out that have altered or affected the way they can do business. The best piece of advice they offer is to roll with the tide and make the best of whatever situation comes your way, whether it be adding more plexi-glass barriers, only offering takeout, updating your website, or altering your hours.
Jaide and Joel’s Baking Company currently offer delivery to Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country, but they have big dreams and plans. The hope is to have their product available all throughout Canada, both on the retail and wholesale side.
Jaide and Joel told Julie they wouldn’t do anything differently if they were given the chance to do things again. They believe that everything works out the way it’s supposed to. Of course, the knowledge and personal skills that they’ve learned and have now would be a huge asset if they had to start over. They had support from their family and friends, and usually every vendor they talked to was kind enough to educate them on things they didn’t understand.
Finally Julie asked them for a piece of advice for the newly diagnosed - just know that it is not only a wheat/gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. Be cautious on which foods you eat that feel good for your body, stay active and keep positive. Celiac disease can have a big impact emotionally as well, so be kind to yourself and know that it’s okay to feel discouraged. It’s a big adjustment to make, but it doesn’t have to be limiting!
We wish Jaide and Joel all the very best and look forward to seeing their brand countrywide.
Jaide and Joel first met when they were fourteen years old and have been together as a couple ever since. In 2018, Jaide was recovering from her second serious concussion, and it was Joel’s first year after dropping out of university. Neither of them knew for sure what they wanted as a career yet and were feeling a bit lost. Joel, knowing both he and Jaide needed to find their passion again, suggested trying their hand at doing some gluten-free baking for their local farmer’s market. Jaide, enthusiastic about the idea, suggested that it also be vegan to match their lifestyle as both Jaide and Joel are gluten-free and vegan. In April of 2018 they went to their first farmer’s market. From there, the business exploded. They continued doing different farmers markets around the Okanagan and partnered up with several different local businesses to offer their products wholesale. Two years later in 2020, they opened their own 100% vegan and gluten-free bakery/café.
Only Joel is actually celiac, but many of the employees are gluten intolerant. Joel was diagnosed when he was ten years old, so he is knowledgeable about Celiac Disease. Both he and Jaide keep up to date on different products and information surrounding it. They have meetings with their employees to ensure that everyone is informed and understands the seriousness of Celiac Disease.
Their facility is dedicated gluten-free and vegan. The location is at 101-555 Montgomery Road in Kelowna, BC. The bakery supplies products to about 10 different retailers throughout the Okanagan, you can find a full list on their bakery website https://jaideandjoelsbakingco.com/
The bakery is best known for the cake donuts. They are what started out as the most popular and have held the mantel for three years as the top seller. The bread and bagels are a close second. Jaide and Joel’s personal favorites are the brownies, bread, and cupcakes, but they really want to say everything!
Jaide and Joel have faced - and overcome - many challenges. A big part of those challenges is their age. Being twenty-two, people see
Them in a certain way, don’t take them seriously and some would try to take advantage of them because of it. Being their first time opening a retail location, there were many things they did not know and weren’t prepared for: contracts, lawyers, venting issues, permits, licenses, equipment, etc. All of which had to be learned extremely fast. They had to be smart, decisive, critical, and confident. There was more personal growth in one year than there had been in five. They both learned what they're truly capable of and are proud of it.
The first location for the bakery was opened in October 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, and that came with its own set of challenges. Before the pandemic, because of the age of not only Jaide and Joel, but the business as well, there was no chance of getting approved for a loan. When the government announced several different loan opportunities, it was easier to qualify and get approved, that was a real silver lining. Since then, there have been many new health orders put out that have altered or affected the way they can do business. The best piece of advice they offer is to roll with the tide and make the best of whatever situation comes your way, whether it be adding more plexi-glass barriers, only offering takeout, updating your website, or altering your hours.
Jaide and Joel’s Baking Company currently offer delivery to Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country, but they have big dreams and plans. The hope is to have their product available all throughout Canada, both on the retail and wholesale side.
Jaide and Joel told Julie they wouldn’t do anything differently if they were given the chance to do things again. They believe that everything works out the way it’s supposed to. Of course, the knowledge and personal skills that they’ve learned and have now would be a huge asset if they had to start over. They had support from their family and friends, and usually every vendor they talked to was kind enough to educate them on things they didn’t understand.
Finally Julie asked them for a piece of advice for the newly diagnosed - just know that it is not only a wheat/gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. Be cautious on which foods you eat that feel good for your body, stay active and keep positive. Celiac disease can have a big impact emotionally as well, so be kind to yourself and know that it’s okay to feel discouraged. It’s a big adjustment to make, but it doesn’t have to be limiting!
We wish Jaide and Joel all the very best and look forward to seeing their brand countrywide.
