Creating Culinary Experiences Worth Sharing

The Iron Kettle is at The Iron Kettle.

2 days ago

Come grab an award winning pastry, and a best in the world smile.

Friday and sunny! There is no better reason to come to Comber! ... See MoreSee Less

The Iron Kettle

5 days ago

Opening tomorrow for the week, with anew feature that has been a long time coming

Pumpkin scone. But….

VEGAN.

Don’t sleep on this one.

Tell your vegan friends, and non vegan friends. See you tomorrow! ... See MoreSee Less

The Iron Kettle

6 days ago

If you’ve got a minute…

I never want anyone to think that I know it all, and that this is the wisdom that I’m passing because of my success. My success only comes because of the hard work. grind, and the experiences I’ve had.

There are so many businesses closing, every week it seems like - let’s get something straight, this advice won’t save anyone from that. However, I’m hopeful it can help you understand all that we go through in order to keep it together.

While on a nice quiet county drive today, Ginette and I discussed the mistakes we’ve made running our business since the pandemic. I know I mention that time a lot - but it’s just because it was such a turning point in my life.

Sharing this could be for anyone who has a business, wants a business or anyone who can just appreciate the read.

Here are 5 mistakes I’ve made as a business owner:

LETTING GO
I've chosen to keep business relationship alive because I enjoy someone. This could be an employee that is causing issues, a wholesale location that just isn't selling enough product, or a supplier that provides us with something that other suppliers do as well. When it’s time to move on, move on - you aren’t helping yourself otherwise.

FOCUS
As an entrepreneur, I always strive for more and what's next. Often when I fail, it's always because of losing the focus that I should have on my 4 walls(this is what I call the house that I can control). I've tried teaching, turns out it was paying $80 for a full day of work. I've tried to help some of our wholesale customers with their business - it never works out. Stick to your vision.

ISSUES
When problems arise, don’t let it build out of control. I’ve let too many people take advantage of me, my trust and care for them. Vendors/suppliers: you trust that they are supposed to know what they are doing. Staff: you let them off without a warning, you give too many chances and don’t address issues as they come up. Equipment: oh yeah we will get that fix. Before you know it; it’s too late. When something comes up - smash it on the nose right away.

EXPECTATIONS
Never expect. Don’t let let your expectations hold you back, and set your limits. Here are few examples of where I’ve gotten frustrated. You would expect your supplier to let you know when they discontinued a product. You would expect the people who live next to your bakery to stop in and buy a cup of coffee once. You would expect that the parents of your staff would stop in to visit them and pick up a bread once in a while. You would expect that organizations or people who donate to would recognize that by supporting them, you are actually taking money out of your pocket to put towards their cause, and that the next time you see them would be to support your business - not 12 months after to ask for another donation. Don’t expect.

SAY NO
The hardest thing to do is say no. But you have to do it. You have almost to say no more than you say yes. Yesterday someone called me to ask if she could order a sandwich platter. We don’t make sandwiches, platters or take orders. So I said no. But she didn’t want me to say no, and was expecting me to say I’m sorry. Well I am not sorry. I could make them, and I could make money from them - but it would take me away from what I need to do. If I had learned to say no earlier in my business life, I think the other 4 mistakes above wouldn’t of happened.

Bonus mistake:
Hiring acquaintances, friends or kids of those. It takes for a different type of agreement that you need to have prior to them starting; but also needs to end asap if it’s not working out.

Thanks for the read - and for helping us keep our dream going by spreading the word about the IK; and how we don’t make sandwich platters. ... See MoreSee Less

The Iron Kettle is at Raymont's Berries.

6 days ago

Our first ever wholesale location was @raymontsberries, more than 5 years ago now! We started off by selling pizza dough, and now we deliver 3 times a week - and the peak of their berry growing season we deliver everyday.

The relationship we have with the team at Raymonts is incredible - we use their berries in our production! Fun fact: last year, they kept their farm market open until November - and keep us supplied with frozen berries year round.

What a place! Check it out! ... See MoreSee Less

The Iron Kettle

1 week ago

It’s here - pumpkin spice latte. Hot or iced.

Come grab one for you and one for your bestie.

Open 8-4 on weekends. ... See MoreSee Less

The Iron Kettle

2 weeks ago

It’s been a little while since we’ve shared a menu - so…. make your shopping list now here’s what you can expect to find when you come to Comber! There is something for everyone! And don’t forget - THURSDAYS is almond croissant day! We also always have scones on rotation!

Please help us out and SHARE!

Breads:
- [ ] Herb and Sea Salt Focaccia
- [ ] Apple Rosemary Sourdough
- [ ] Multigrain sourdough
- [ ] Cranberry & currant sourdough
- [ ] Jalapeño & cheese curd sourdough
- [ ] Main Street sourdough (plain)
- [ ] Squash & Pumpkin Seed Sourdough
- [ ] Montreal style bagels
- [ ] Apple Cinnamon Bagels
- [ ] Sourdough English muffins

Croissants:
- [ ] Almond Croissants
- [ ] Butter Croissants
- [ ] Chocolate Croissants
- [ ] Nutella Croissants
- [ ] Blueberry & Vanilla Danish
- [ ] Strawberry & Vanilla Danishes
- [ ] Prosicutto & Ricotta Croissant
- [ ] Tomato & Mozzarella croissant
- [ ] Coconut Cream Pie Cruffin
- [ ] Pistachio Supreme Croissant

Pastries
- [ ] Lemon Loaf
- [ ] Carrot Cake Whoopie Pie
- [ ] Granny’s Cupboard Cookie
- [ ] Pistachio & Raspberry Cookie
- [ ] Cannele
- [ ] Pumpkin Cannele
- [ ] Lemon meringue sablé
- [ ] Pumpkin Pie Choux (pictured)
- [ ] Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookie (pictured)

Baked goods
- [ ] Blueberry coffee cake
- [ ] Date squares
- [ ] Banana Loaf
- [ ] Walnut Brownie
- [ ] Butter tarts
- [ ] Ginger molasses Cookies
- [ ] Pumpkin Galette

Fridge
- [ ] Dill pickle hummus
- [ ] Salted butter cookie dough
- [ ] Quebec Cheese selection
- [ ] Beet and quinoa salad
- [ ] Three cheese lasagna
- [ ] Cream of potato soup
- [ ] Beef chili
- [ ] Squash soup
- [ ] Cream of Carrot and Ginger
- [ ] Salted Caramel Cheesecake
- [ ] Garlic Whipped Cream Cheese
- [ ] Cinnamon Whipped Cream Cheese

Freezer
- [ ] Shepherds pie
- [ ] Croissant wrapped baked Brie
- [ ] Cretons
- [ ] Beef lasagna
- [ ] Braised Beef Pot Pie
- [ ] Pizza dough
- [ ] Pulled Pork
- [ ] Flourless Chocolate Cake

Staples
- [ ] Salted Caramel Sauce
- [ ] Chocolate dipped pistachio & cranberry biscotti
- [ ] Sourdough crostinis
- [ ] Maple & meringue granola
- [ ] Apple almond oatmeal
- [ ] Buttermilk Pancake Mix
- [ ] Chance coffee beans
- [ ] Local Maple Syrup
- [ ] Local Honey ... See MoreSee Less