“I started because I wanted to do something different. And I wanted to change the way things were being done. And also bringing out new products that I haven't seen in Winnipeg. It seems like a lot of people wanted it.” - Laura Gurbhoo, owner of Gâto Bakery

Laura Gurbhoo grew up in the tiny African island nation of Mauritius, with a fascination with chemistry and a family that loved to cook together. She headed to Winnipeg to study with her sights on becoming a pharmacist, but baking was always a passion too.

That’s how Gâto began. A side hustle driven by wanting to do something different. The twin challenges of making the perfect sourdough and vegan baked goods—and doing it with the smallest carbon footprint possible. No small feat! For one thing, it took a year to perfect that sourdough vegan croissant. And when you taste it, you will be so glad Laura persisted.

Find out how Laura took her business from her home oven to farmers’ market to a bustling bricks and mortar shop in Winnipeg’s West End. And how that degree in biochemistry came in handy in more ways than one.

As Laura writes, “When you support Gâto not only are you supporting a black woman’s dream, but you support a product that was created from packaging to sourcing main ingredients with the purpose of reducing carbon footprint while optimizing flavours. When you buy at Gâto you support your local farmers' livelihood and make an environmentally conscious choice.”

Here's How It's Done is hosted by Cate Friesen of The Story Source and sponsored by the Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba.