Who We Are.
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Libby Brewer-Dulac
FOUNDER & OWNER, MESS HALL
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Maggie Frith
OWNER, MESS HALL
& THE MAGPIE CAKERY
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Gaby Flores
FOUNDER & FRIEND OF MESS HALL
Where it all began.
We started Mess Hall to bring people together around food. We wanted to connect with kindred spirits, share food stories, explore new recipes and techniques, get creative with flavours, and lovingly prepare and enjoy meals with neighbors and friends.
In early 2020 we welcomed you and some of your kids into our space to get creative with food, make treats together, paint a few cakes, and learn how to brew our own kombucha. But things have changed since we opened our doors, in our lives and in yours.
So we’re not getting together in the kitchen, but we’re doing a lot more home cooking. Our culinary experiments have taken us places this year from the first pandemic banana breads to the sourdoughs and tortilla hacks and now we’re back to banana bread again.
Along this journey, we’ve met some incredible makers who have started new food businesses, or changed up what they already knew. We’re thrilled to introduce to you a whole new group of friends who are making and selling their food magic in our shared co-working kitchen. We’re bringing you virtual culinary experiences, delicious hand-made treats available curbside and more Date Nights at home, to help you celebrate while staying safe.
Thanks for tagging along. When you support us, you're not only helping us keep the magic alive, but you're also providing space and encouragement for other small food businesses to evolve and grow. We appreciate you!
— Gaby and Libby, Founders
Mess Hall Founders
Gaby Flores.
I am a self-taught vegan, gluten-free chef and Culinary Nutrition Expert. Food is my passion.
“Food is the way I share joy. You hang out with me, you eat!”
Switching to a plant-based diet opened my eyes to the taste, flavor, and texture of food in its most natural state. I discovered new ingredients and began creating beautiful, delicious, and nourishing meals. I dream of a world where harvesting, cooking, and savoring is our default. Our instant culture has corrupted our palates, and we’ve forgotten how real food tastes.
My mission is to help others transition from deprivation to abundance. Food can heal and enhance us in mind, body, and soul. My purpose is to use food to build community. Food is love when prepared with good intentions and great ingredients.
Libby Brewer-Dulac.
I’m a Toronto based, East Coast born multidisciplinary artist and self-taught baker. A tinkerer since childhood, I enjoy making things using metal, wood, glass, plastics, paper, paint, and digital arts. Because of the very nature of cake and its ability to spread joy, my current medium of choice is buttercream.
“Everyday design, art and architecture bring inspiration, and I'm lucky if they come together in cake form on my turntable.”
I’m the founder of Sift Baking Co., where I spent four delightful years creating artful birthday cakes for adults.