Walter Pat’s Bakery
Lauren Ellis, owner and pastry chef of Walter Pat’s Bakery Cafe has been creating the pastries of your dreams since 2001. She has over a decade of experience in the baking and pastry game, and she’s worked all over the world from NYC to Sydney, Australia. Walter Pat’s is a small bakery with a goal to feed the community delicious pastries, made with quality ingredients
To check out the menu head to Walter Pat’s Bakery.
Why and how did you decide to start a food business?
I started my business because I didn’t see the type of pastries that I wanted to eat. I was also at a point in my life where I didn’t want to create for others anymore. I selfishly wanted to make pastries that I wanted to eat and hoped other people enjoyed the unique flavor combinations that I created.
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been in business since 2021
How has owning a business changed now from when you first got started?
It has gotten more uncomfortable, meaning we have been growing and getting recognized. As a creative chef I feel that I never want to be too comfortable in a position. I want to keep creating, doing hard things, and offering more products that you wouldn’t normally see at your local bakery. When I started it was just support for friends and family then I felt confident enough to start at a farmers market. To this day I have day one supporters still enjoying my pastries after all these years, so grateful.
Can you please tell us about your signature items?
Our signature items are our fun flavored croissants and danish. We do flavors like Jerk Carrot Danish, Pistachio Rose Danish, Corned Beef and Swiss Croissants, Banana Rum Danish, and our Green and Cheese Croissant, which is probably the most popular. It’s our croissant with a spinach and arugula garlic spread, caramelized onions, and asiago cheese.
How has utilizing the food business programming and/or incubator kitchen in Eastern Market impacted your growth as a business?
The food business programming in Detroit has helped me so much. They didn’t just teach me the best ways to run my food business but also connected me to the right people to go to for help, as well as building relationships with other like minded entrepreneurs. Through all the programs I was able to learn how to pitch my business, pricing, licensing, and my revenue streams, just to name a few. IBF has the best food business programs in Detroit.
Do you have advice for future food business entrepreneurs?
My advice to future food business entrepreneurs is don’t give up, keep creating. This business is really hard and you have to love it. So ask a lot of questions from other entrepreneurs and attend as many programs as you can. You can’t just have a great product, you have to know how to properly run your business. You have to know your numbers, like your food cost and profit margins.
Facebook: @walterpatsdetroit
Instagram: @walterpatsdetroit
Web: https://www.walterpats.com/
Photos courtesy of Walter Pat’s Bakery