“It takes more than an oven to craft a true artisan bread. It takes time… and passion!”
Benjamin Manea – baker, proprietor
Walla’s new bistro area
Ben was born in Romania and raised in Israel. He emigrated to Toronto in 1999 where he met his wife Sharon, moving with her to the Okanagan in 2005. He left a technical career to follow his passion for excellent baking and food, teaching himself artisan bread baking and cooking so he could bring the flavours of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods to his new home in the South Okanagan. Using only the finest natural ingredients, with no chemicals, preservatives or shortenings, Walla Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Bakery and Fine Foods in Penticton, British Columbia supplies artisan breads and pastries to high-end restaurants and cafes in the South Okanagan and operates a retail artisan bakery/cafe for brunch, lunch and take-home fine foods. Walla is open from Tuesday to Saturday for brunch of the best Brioche French Toast you’ve ever tasted, lunches of gourmet focaccia sandwiches, fabulous home-made soups, rustic featured dishes, outstanding desserts, and also a selection of artisan bakery items and prepared foods such as: Rosemary Focaccia buns, artisan bread, Bourekas, Quiche, Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Tabbouli, Labneh, Matbouha, Turkish salad, firey hot Zhoug condiment, Baklawa, Alfajores cookies with shortbread and dulce de leche, giant meringues, and Callebaut dark chocolate flourless cakes. Specialty items include a line of handcrafted, old-style preserves, aged Balsamic blends, spicy hot pickles, and always some new surprises. You can also call to custom order any of the other products on our list (usual minimum order of 6), or to find out what we’re baking that day. Bring your friends and enjoy….!
Walla’s Bread Baking Schedule
Puttanesca sourdough with kalamata olives, capers, olive oil and olive pesto. 1Kg.
As of June 1, 2013, we are baking daily, though Saturdays remain our ‘big’ baking day, so come early! We are now serving brunch/lunch in our charming new dining room daily, from Tuesday to Friday (11:30 am-2:30 pm.) , and Saturday (10-am.-3 pm.)
Sat: Focaccia, Challah/Brioche (plain & cinnamon-raisin), Various Artisan breads, Rustic Beer Buns (made with spent barley from the Cannery Brewery, and caramelized onions), large Foccacia ‘Pizzas’ with tomatoes, cheese & Kalamata olives, Fougasse with cheddar and chilis (hot!), Pain au Chocolat., Cheese & Raisin Danish, Caramelized Apple -Walnut puff pastry Turnovers, Kuign Amann (a salted caramel croissant-type pastry from Brittany), and other surprises.
A few loaves are always fresh-frozen so that you can pick up your favourite on another day of the week.
Organic spelt bagels are available certain Saturdays or by special order.
If you would like to receive our weekly email detailing new products and the baking schedule for that week, please send us an email: wallafoods@shaw.ca
(We accept cash, Interac, and cheques.)
Walla Foods – Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Artisan Bakery and Cafe.
114-1475 Fairview Road. Penticton, BC. V2A 7W5
The Cannery Trade Centre (entrance through side door, near the Cannery Brewery).
Tel: (250) 770-2001
Hours of operation:
Monday – Friday: 8:00AM – 6:00PM
Saturday: 9:30AM – 3:00PM
