Jaap Verbeke, General Manager of Portofino Bakery, began as an apprentice in Holland when he was 11 years old. After exploring other career paths, one of which led him to Canada, he returned to his childhood passion and opened a retail bakery in Broadmead Shopping Village in Victoria, BC. Soon customers were asking for larger quantities than the bakery could supply and in 2004 Portofino acquired a small wholesale bakery, and shifted its wholesale production to this 1800 sq ft location. It was at this time that Jaap joined forces with Ian and Wayne Fatt – local businessmen who are known for their involvement in the Red Barn Markets and Islands West produce. Within a year this space was too small and the bakery moved to a 6,000 sq ft location. In the fall of 2009, another 4000 sq ft were added to the existing floor space, bringing the total facility floor space to 10,000 sq ft. This space worked until January 2014, when Portofino moved into into its current location, a 15,275 sq ft space specifically designed to accommodate Portofino’s particular product lines.
ABOUT US
Jaap as a young apprentice
WE HAVE AMAZING CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HELPED US CREATE HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN CLEAN AND SIMPLE INGREDIENTS. INGREDIENTS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A SCIENTIST TO UNDERSTAND.
Moreover, the entire lay-out of the bakery was redesigned to reflect the need for improved efficiencies, environmentally friendly production processes, and improved working conditions with optimal food safety standards. In January 2015 space was once again an issue. As of December 2016 Portofino has just finished a 7500 sq ft expansion that will allow Portofino to expand for years to come.