Saturday Farmers’ Market Vendor Feature: Goodness Gracious

This week we are featuring Goodness Gracious, a first-year vendor at our market! Goodness Gracious is a small Vancouver Bakery specializing in delicious tarts, squares, and bakewells, using high-quality ingredients and home-style recipes. We recently had the pleasure of chatting with the owner, Grace Keenleyside, to find out more.

How long has Goodness Gracious been around? How did you get started?

I originally got set up in March, an interesting time to start a business, in a global pandemic. When I found out farmers’ markets were going to happen, I took them as my opportunity to launch properly and UBC was the first market that let me in.

I was a corporate bankers and was known for bringing in treats for offices parties. After moving to BC, I decided I needed a change and started my own business doing something I really enjoy. It’s been great to be in such a nice, less competitive environment.

What are the three most important things you think people should know about Goodness Gracious?

• I bake everything from skratch.
• Everything is from family recipes, that I have enhanced and modernized.
• It’s is just me. Goodness Gracious is a brand new, tiny bakery using local ingredients.

How did you personally get started baking?

I started baking with my grandmother and mom. We did a lot of big family dinners and some of my favourite memories where creating cakes and cookies.

You have three main baked goods, buttertart, bakewell, and caramel square, How did you choose these three, and would you mind telling us a bit more about them?

I wanted all of my baked goods to be homestyle and warming but each sort of cater to a different flavour profile.

Bonnie’s Buttertart– I grew up in Eastern Ontario and butter tarts are quite a staple there. Mine are derived from an old family recipe and named of my granny. They are made with flaky butter pastry and a golden filling with a touch of maple syrup, these are very special treats. I offer “Just Butter” (plain), pecan, coconut, hazelnut, and raspberry crisp varieties.

Blissful Bakewell– These traditional tarts are luscious British creations with almond frangipane and jam. We decided to swap traditional pastry for soft almond shortbread for even more richness and delight. Perfect with tea.

Classy Caramel Square-These may look like your typical “Millionaire’s Shortbread”, but trust us – there is nothing typical about them. A melt-in-the-mouth shortbread base is covered in a thick layer of caramel, topped with chocolate. A classy combination of sweet decadence.

How do you select ingredient for your baking? Do you have specific criteria?

I’m trying to sources as much locally and in season as possible. As I am still so new I am hoping to reach out to more local suppliers, but I used Fraser Valley local butter and local raspberries.

If you could only have one of your baked goods for the rest of your life which one would it be?

Pecan butters tarts! I did the most product development on them but caramel squares are also a close second.

Where else can customers find you?

I have delivery and catering option on my website, I am at Commisary Connect pop up shop(my shared kitchen space), and I am at the Main St. Station as well as the Kwantlen St. Markets

I am so grateful for the returning customers. I spend 14-16 hours baking and rolling pastries and its really lovely to see the response of this community.

Market Dates| Facebook Page | Instagram | Website