About Us and Our History
Find more about the family who runs this restaurant
Steveston Bakery and Café was established in 1989 in the heart of Steveston Village by Hemant and Bimla Rao. They were both born in Fiji where they met and became high school sweethearts. They are both loved and respected by the Steveston Village locals for their vast community involvement and for the traditional breads, homemade soups, and desserts they create in their bakery. Their daughter and son were raised helping out in the bakery from an early age as were the children of many of the long term employees.
Our Leader
Hemant Rao
MASTER BAKERHemant is a classically trained Master Baker.
Hemant started his career as a bakery apprentice at the Original Bread Garden on 1st Avenue in Kitsilano.
He then went on to learn about sourdough unleavened bread in the heart of San Francisco.
He also worked in the Napa Valley before returning to Vancouver.
Upon returning to Vancouver, he researched different areas of the city. He visited Steveston and a friend of his, Ray Martynuik encouraged him to open his bakery in Steveston Village. The rest is history as he has been baking in Steveston village since 1989.