Early Morning at the Middle East Bakery

By
Sol Israel
Published: November 3, 2009Posted in: Ottawa, PhotosTags:
Early Morning at the Middle East Bakery

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Stand at the corner of Somerset and Percy at 5:30 in the morning, and you will likely smell the scent of fresh pita bread wafting by.  This aroma is the by-product of the Middle East Bakery, which bakes and distributes 18,000 loaves of pita bread across Ottawa every morning.

Head baker John Daher has 25 years of baking experience, beginning in his home country of Lebanon and culminating in his family-in-law’s purchase of the Middle East Bakery from its previous owners five years ago.  The family brought in new machinery to help automate the production process, but Daher insists that his pita tastes like it is entirely handmade.

“People, they come here for the quality,” boasted Daher, spooning a spicy tomato mixture over a pita to add a zesty flavour.

Letters of glowing praise hang on the wall in the front section of the bakery, and would seem to confirm Daher’s pride.

“In all my 74 years, this is the finest pita bread I have ever tasted!” reads one letter, going on to hail the round bread’s “superb texture,” “easily separated pockets,” and “excellent taste.”

The above pictures offer a taste of the early morning hustle at the Middle East Bakery.

About the Author

SOL ISRAEL is a Boston native who embraced his Canadian roots while studying at the University of Toronto. He edited the University College Gargoyle while pursuing his degree in English and Criminology. He has worked as a volunteer English teacher in both China and Israel, where he also covered local and international news as an intern reporter for The Jerusalem Post. Upon his return to Boston, Sol freelanced for The Boston Globe and managed communications for a small non-profit organization. Sol maintains an active interest in international relations, urban planning, criminal law, penal policy and globalization. He travels whenever possible, and enjoys DJing and playing drums in his spare time.