- Story by Sandra Jones Photography by Don Denton

Kate Cram is living proof that you canB次元官网网址檛 go wrong when you find career inspiration on an episode of Oprah. Indeed, serendipity crossed paths with talk show television in the B次元官网网址�90s when this prolific chef and serial entrepreneur was finishing high school in Ladysmith.

B次元官网网址淢y Dad saw an episode of Oprah and the guest was the executive chef of the Four Seasons Hotel in New York. My parents knew my passion was cooking and baking and they wanted me to go to the best school available,B次元官网网址� recalls Kate. B次元官网网址淭hey figured that this chef would know where that was, so my Dad tracked her down and called her.B次元官网网址�

The answer: The Culinary Institute of America. Five days after her 18th birthday, Kate and her knife set jumped on a plane and headed to upstate New York for the two-and-a-half-year program.

B次元官网网址淭he great part was that it taught me all of the practical skills but also the business management skills.B次元官网网址�

Both would prove to be necessary ingredients when Kate ultimately returned to Ladysmith and opened her first restaurant, The Sunflower Caf茅. But when the Old Town Bakery became available, she bought it and closed the caf茅.

Under her guidance, Old Town Bakery experienced spectacular growth, but years later, Kate began experiencing health issues.

B次元官网网址淚 ended up changing my diet and going gluten-friendly. Our two youngest sons were also affected by gluten and couldnB次元官网网址檛 eat anything at the bakery.B次元官网网址�

That was the motivation for the launch of Wild Poppy Bistro in 2013.

B次元官网网址淲e focused on gluten-free and some vegan options, neither of which were mainstream at the time. A lot of people doubted the idea and thought it was pretty risky being so tailored to one specific thing. But we truly believe that we make gluten-free really delicious and a lot of people come in and donB次元官网网址檛 even realize theyB次元官网网址檙e eating gluten-free.B次元官网网址�

Standards for producing the range of bread, muffins, cookies, cakes and baked goods are exceptionally high and the harshest critics are at home when Kate develops a new recipe.

B次元官网网址淚 had a four-year-old when we were creating the recipes for Wild Poppy so IB次元官网网址檇 start there: B次元官网网址榃ill this pass the Ben test?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Kate laughs. B次元官网网址淚f it did, we knew we had a winner.B次元官网网址�

Wild Poppy opened its doors during Ladysmith Days and Kate was surprised and overwhelmed by the response.

B次元官网网址淎 mom brought her daughter in and she got her a gluten-free donut. The mother was crying because she had never been able to get her little girl a treat she could safely eat. We realized pretty quickly that what we were doing had an impact on peopleB次元官网网址檚 lives and was so much more than what we envisioned.B次元官网网址�

Customers quickly came from up and down the Island as well as from farther afield.

B次元官网网址淲e are a destination for people with dietary restrictions, for those who follow keto or paleo diets and for many who are looking for delicious but healthy options. We have customers who come to Ladysmith from Calgary or Vancouver to visit family and pick up big orders to take home.B次元官网网址�

For Kate, running two food-based businesses and a staff of more than 50 requires early mornings and long days.

B次元官网网址淚 love the morning bakes and coming in at 3 am when youB次元官网网址檙e the only one on the street. For me itB次元官网网址檚 therapeutic to be busy with my hands. I think my secret ingredient is love because when youB次元官网网址檙e really happy and enjoying what youB次元官网网址檙e doing, it goes into the baking.B次元官网网址�

While Wild Poppy began its life as a dine-in restaurant and bakery, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Kate to adapt their offerings and pivot into a take-out market.

B次元官网网址淲e had just leased the unit next to us with plans to create a bigger restaurant, but then COVID-19 dictated we could only have six people in our dining room. We knew weB次元官网网址檇 have to change what we were doing so the market seemed like the right idea.B次元官网网址�

Wild Poppy Market still features their sought-after baked goods plus many savoury items from their restaurant menu.

B次元官网网址淥ur bestsellers are probably our breads, our muffins and our cheesecakes, but also our salads,B次元官网网址� says Kate. B次元官网网址淚 like to think of our salads as a rainbow. There are so many beautiful vegetables, and we combine crisp greens with some grains, roasted vegetables and proteins like free-range roasted chicken or wild sockeye salmon. We take a lot of pride in using fresh ingredients and the response has been fabulous.B次元官网网址�

While public demand for gluten-free products has more than caught up to KateB次元官网网址檚 original vision for Wild Poppy Market, itB次元官网网址檚 her artistry in creating the products that has people lining up for more.

B次元官网网址淚 use a blend of five or six different starches that varies depending on what weB次元官网网址檙e making. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why they taste so good and arenB次元官网网址檛 like a B次元官网网址榬ockB次元官网网址� the way some gluten-free products are. It takes more time and we have to carry more inventory but it makes a way better product.B次元官网网址�

The pandemic environment has affected the steady supply of the high-quality, specialty ingredients that Kate relies on to create her recipes.

B次元官网网址淲e import a lot of ingredients from Germany and they were out of shipping containers so weB次元官网网址檝e had delays in getting our products. Even getting it transported from Montreal is taking extra time these days.B次元官网网址�

Island-sourced products also play a prominent role at the market.

B次元官网网址淲e carry a local selection of jams, jellies, vinegars and more. As summer approaches, weB次元官网网址檙e going to carry fresh flowers and produce from a couple of different farms. We like being able to pull all of these specialty products together, support other local producers and be a hub.B次元官网网址�

In fact, a third community hub is under construction at their newly leased space.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e opening an ice cream shop next to Wild Poppy Market. Families will be able to wander down in the day or evening and enjoy a specialty coffee or ice cream and take it to the beach.B次元官网网址�

Despite the pandemic and the pressure it places on the restaurant and food industry, Wild Poppy Market, as well as Old Town Bakery, continue to evolve and thrive.

B次元官网网址淲e have customers that come every morning and we try to make them part of our lives as much as we can. WeB次元官网网址檙e part of the Ladysmith family and if we didnB次元官网网址檛 have their support, we wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have survived. Whether people come to us for the socialization or because of food sensitivities, we believe that our businesses are an important part of town life. WeB次元官网网址檙e excited about what we do and I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 trade it for anything.B次元官网网址�

Check out the .

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on and follow them on