Fieldstone Artisan Breads

While many bakers find their initial motivation to open a shop after a trip to countries such as France or Italy, it was in Japan that Paul Hanley and Nicola Erasmus found their inspiration. "We worked at a resort in Japan for a while, and that's where we met," says Paul of his encounter with Nicola, who would later become his wife.

"It's also there that I became good friends with a pastry chef, who initiated me to the craft of baked goods, and it's been a passion ever since. Travelling throughout Japan was also very inspiring. The pastries there are of a quality I had seen nowhere else; every little detail is given so much attention. I thought if I could bring back that same product quality to Canada, I'd lead a successful business."

However, before moving back to Canada, Paul and Nicola travelled some more. They made their way through France, Spain and the Basque country, amongst other places, where they picked up some ideas and inspiration to better master the art of baking. "It was an eye-opening trip. We became very passionate about baking and became eager to share what we had learned about it," Paul says.

Once back in British Columbia, Paul studied at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. After graduating, he worked in many different bakeries and restaurants before ending up in a job at Fieldstone Artisan Breads, which was already an institution in Surrey. Little did he know then that he and Nicola would make it an even bigger success.