After creating a small home-based bakery and cake design business to pay for her post-secondary education, self-taught chef Raveena Oberoi travelled to Paris to master the art of pastry, and we think it’s safe to say that trip has more than paid off.
Since opening the doors to the first Just Cakes Bakeshop in 2017, Oberoi has provided patrons with pastries and confections that feature the perfect blend of European, North American, and Indian flavours and techniques.
In addition to accolades such as being named one of Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 and winning the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, chef Oberoi arguably kick-started the dessert-in-a-jar trend, and recently introduced North America’s first cake-in-a-jar vending machine, which she aptly named The Jar Bar.
With her Just Cakes business booming and her first season as a judge on Wall of Bakers approaching the midway mark, we decided to catch up with the multi-talented chef to find out where she loves to go for food and drink in the Metro Vancouver area.
Breakfast
I'm more of a brunch gal, and The Story Cafe in Richmond has my heart. The Fried Chicken Benny is just absolutely amazing, and the coffee is made perfect every time.
I love taking myself out to a solo brunch and The Story Cafe is my usual top choice for these occasions. I also love the interior!
Lunch
If you want authentic Indian food as if your mom made it, but still spruced up a bit with some refined combinations and modern flavours and textures, Tasty Indian Bistro is my top spot.
Not only do they feature mouth-watering dishes like the Chicken Vindaloo and the Methi Paneer, I love their appetizer menu that draws on traditional Indian street food, like the Chaat Papdi. Also, their dessert menu is quite well-stacked.
Dinner
I absolutely love Minerva's. A home-style traditional Greek and Italian restaurant bursting with charm and flavour. Minerva's holds a special place in my heart, it was the very first official date night my now-husband and I had almost a decade ago!
I go through waves of favorites here, from the lobster and steak special, to the traditional Greek souvlaki, to the incredible baby back ribs.
Drinks
If you're looking for crafty cocktails, and fun a quirky concoctions that wow you, check out Botanist. The drinks can be theatrical, and definitely light you up when you see them coming out and leave a lasting impression on both flavour and presentation.
Watch: Wall of Bakers - Food Network Canada
Tune in to Wall of Bakers Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network Canada.
