The Loaf

The Loaf is a popular eatery and bakery in Fernie that has expanded to a bigger location

The Loaf, as locals refer to it, offers a great menu as well as uniquely crafted bread. — Photo courtesy Phil Gadd

A great new location opens up a whole realm of possibilities for the Loaf Bakery & Restaurant.

This eatery is all about real, honest food, said English owner Phil Gadd.

Gadd's story is like that of many of the entrepreneurs in the Kootenays.

"I just kept coming back for the skiing," he said.

After a while, Gadd saw a niche that could be filled in the Fernie food industry. He and his wife, Claire, had been to a business meeting in a bakery in the southwest of England, and were very impressed with what they saw.

"It was all open-plan," said Gadd. "Visitors could see the bakers working."

Gadd liked the style so much that it spurred him to open his own unique business in Fernie.

And that is how the Loaf, as locals refer to it, came about. It has been in Fernie since 2009, but has moved to a new renovated location, which was originally home to another Fernie bakery. It seats 50 and serves creative breads and gourmet, build-your-own pizzas, and boasts an impressive casual-fine dining menu.

"We have gone from strength to strength, really," said Gadd. "I have always felt like I could—and would—end up running a business, and it has always been something I wanted to do. It felt natural to do this."

The Loaf employs about 20 people—and they come from all over the world.

The Loaf's Australian head chef, Billy Woodford, has a modern Australian fusion background, and he has designed a menu that reflects the restaurant's ethos: real, honest food. The talented pastry chef is from Sri Lanka, and other employees hail from the Phillipines, the U.K. and, of course, Canada. 

Gadd said he is looking forward to a busy winter, and future plans for him could include opening a venue in a bigger city.

"I would love to maybe take the idea to a city like Calgary or Vancouver," said Gadd.

All in all, he said, he finds it very satisfying seeing people enjoying what the Loaf does.

"That is why we do it," said Gadd. "You can't really beat the buzz of a busy place."

Gadd and his wife have three little girls—Evie, Milly and Asia—and they love the life that Fernie offers their family.