After he graduated from high school in 2001, Owen Petersen moved to Calgary and was hired on for a temporary position at Prairie Mill Bread. He ended up staying on for eight years. “I started as a hand roller for the bread dough, and then slicing and packaging and cleaning,” Owen says. “Making bread is a very simple and satisfying trade to be in. You work with your hands, starting the day off with nothing and finishing it off with a lot of wonderful food.”
When Owen moved back to Edmonton in 2008, it was to bring a Prairie Mill Bread location to his hometown. He and the owner, John, had become friends by that point. “We agreed that Edmonton was in need of another good organic, wholesale bakery,” Owen says. “We both own our businesses independently, and I operate under the Prairie Mill Bread logo and branding.”
This Alberta-based bakery uses fresh, simple ingredients to bake wholesome loaves of bread. The owners purchase organic wheat from Saskatchewan, which is ground in-house every day for the freshest flour. Stop by to sample a slice, or just take the plunge and pick out a loaf or three. My favourites are the honey whole wheat and cinnamon raisin. Check the Prairie Mill Bread Co. website for the daily specials.
This organic bakery doesn’t use any preservatives or oils, so only buy as much as you can eat in one week, or prepare to freeze it. They offer 11 bread varieties on a regular basis, plus weekly specialities, such as apple caramel bread or cranberry orange challah bread. The regular bread roster tends to run towards the healthy side, with the likes of honey whole wheat, nine grain and muesli whole wheat.
Hand kneaded and prepared fresh daily, these breads are something special. Of their daily offerings, the honey whole wheat and the corn millet are quite lovely. Spread some real butter on a slice, and there you go — heaven.