Lions Bay's Culinary Queens

Serendipity brings pies and butter candles to the same table

Beloved Lions Bay baker Jessica Weiss has been making a name for herself since the start of this decade, with her Red Couch pies becoming the instant favourite of anyone who takes a bite.

And now, serendipity has Weiss sharing kitchen space with Melt & Munch founder Lauren Gibson, also a Village resident.

Lauren Gibson and Jessica Weiss in their shared commercial kitchen space. Photo by kc dyer.

Weiss's business has taken off, with her pies available at farmers markets around the region, and she's been looking for commercial kitchen space to help meet the demand. Recently she found a spot in North Vancouver that fit the bill.

"I was very excited to finally move into a commercial kitchen space," says Weiss. "I've gone from baking a maximum of six pies at a time in my home oven to 88 in this new space. It's amazing!"

Gibson, a former stuntwoman, has gone from setting herself on fire to setting food on fire with her "incredible edible candles".

"I love to cook and to feed people," says Gibson, who has been looking for other creative avenues since her daughter was born. Bored with the usual grazing-table fare, she says she came up with the idea of a candle made of butter, and it's been an instant hit.

While Weiss was able to start her business from her home and still meet food safety standards, Gibson had to find commercial kitchen space from the beginning. She ended up finding the perfect prep space on McKay Avenue in North Van. "Neither of us could believe it when we discovered our work tables are in the same shared space," she says with a laugh.

Gibson explains that her candles are made of butter from grass-fed cows, and are available in both savoury and sweet varieties.

"In October, we're offering salted chocolate pumpkin spice, which is perfect for dipping pretzels or croissants," she says, noting that her favourite is the roasted garlic, rosemary and thyme variety.

"I've recently done an order of Melt & Munch as party favours for a wedding," she says. "The candles are a perfect way for guests to remember the day."

For her part, Weiss says her favourite part of the pie-making process is rolling out the dough. "It's very calming," she says. "And it lets me focus on what I have to get done."

She says The Red Couch Bakery has recently introduced a 'Very Berry' pie among its other offerings, but it's the original apple that continues to be the biggest seller.

These two hard-working entrepreneurs are not the type to rely on luck for success, but they are happy serendipity has brought them together in their work place. And while both their products are available in local farmers markets, they love that many of their customers are close to home.

"The people of Lions Bay have been incredibly supportive," says Weiss.

Gibson agrees. "And we're happy to help them entertain all year round."

Melt & Munch edible candles can be ordered HERE.

The Red Couch Bakery pies can be ordered HERE.

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