Starting this summer, St. Stephen will become home to a new local bakery. Owner of The Fat Pie Shop, Stephanie Kempski, aims to celebrate the culinary heritage of Europe with her community through her passion for baking.
The Fat Pie Shop is a family-owned bakery and Euro deli. Kempski says it will offer a variety of desserts and meals that are unique and special to the community.
Being immersed in the Montreal food scene for her whole life, Kempski was inspired to open The Fat Pie Shop in an effort to share her family’s heritage with the community.
“I’ve had a passion for baking ever since I was a child,” Kempski tells Huddle. “Growing up in a Polish household, baking was always a big part of our family traditions and celebrations.”
The Fat Pie Shop is most known for the giant cream cheese pies in which it specializes. Each pie is made from scratch and weighs roughly 4-5 pounds. Along with this, the deli also specialize in a variety of Italian desserts, such as tiramisu and cannoli, which are made from recipes that have been passed down through the family for generations.
After marrying into an Italian family, Kemptski says she was introduced to a whole new world of baking. It had shown her new traditions and techniques that she has come to love and experiment with in new recipes.
“Today, I am proud to say that I have many years of baking experience” she tells Huddle. “Baking is not just a job for me, it’s a passion, and I pour my heart and soul into every dish that I make.”
Although The Fat Pie Shop is the first storefront that Kempski has opened, she has had more than ten years of experience in the food industry. With a previous catering company, she has built a loyal following and has come to learn what customers are in demand of and how to meet those needs.
“Opening a storefront has been a natural progression for me, as I have long dreamed of having a space where customers can come and enjoy my baked goods and ready-made meals in a warm and welcoming environment” says Kempski.
In the process of opening The Fat Pie Shop’s new storefront, Kempski says that there has been a great level of support from the community. From words of encouragement to positive feedback on social media platforms, Kempski is thrilled with the amount of support that her business has received.
“It’s been a busy and challenging time, but also a very rewarding one” she says. “We’re looking forward to opening our doors and sharing our love of sweets and European cuisine with the community.”
Kempski says that she is proud to be a part of the St. Stephen community, and that she hopes her local business will go on to help and support others in the community as well.
She tells Huddle “By creating a must-visit destination for food lovers, we hope to attract more visitors to the area and contribute to the local economy in a positive way.”
Her ultimate vision with The Fat Pie Shop is to help put St. Stephen on the map as a food destination. By showcasing her cultural heritage and culinary traditions, she hopes that people will be attracted to the area from all over.
Although the exact date of The Fat Pie Shop’s grand opening is not yet decided, Kempski says that it is expected to occur sometime around mid to late June.
“We’re excited to be a part of this journey, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Ryley Roach is a student intern for Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.